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Scotland1  
#1 Posted : 03 June 2013 11:01:09(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

I am trying to find out information on the storage of Aircraft components that contain Radioactive Materials (KR85) within the body of the unit ie dials etc and also what precautions should be taken with normal handling of these units. I have my own thoughts on this type of equipment but looking for clarification.

Has anyone ever had dealings with equipment like this? Ive googled a lot and all im getting is packing and transportation instructions but that is not what im after.

MSDSs go more into the KR85 rather than the unit itself

thoughts ?
bob youel  
#2 Posted : 03 June 2013 11:08:02(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel

If you are dealing with I-Radiation you should have an RPA in place so ask them
Scotland1  
#3 Posted : 03 June 2013 11:16:52(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

The equipment we have has just been designated as I-Radiation so at the moment we do not have RPA in place. We are in the process of sorting this out but in the meantime I am trying to reduce any concern
Jane Blunt  
#4 Posted : 03 June 2013 11:41:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

Is that krypton85 (which would be Kr85)? I am not familiar with it.

However, I often have to deal with unknown sources, so I start from a base of:

How big a dose is it delivering?
What sort of radiation is it emitting? (alpha, beta, gamma?)

The answers to those two questions will determine the shielding that is needed, and how they should be handled if they ever need to be handled. For instance to shield beta you need a different approach from shielding gamma.

You don't say what sort of components they are and what information you already have on them. You also don't say what you mean by 'normal' handling of them, so there is very little to go on in your post.
David2010  
#5 Posted : 03 June 2013 12:35:50(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
David2010

Likely requirements will depend upon quantity of radioactivity - this may include

a). notification to the HSE, that you carrying out a practice with ionising radiation (e.g. storage). When > 1E+04 Bq and > 1E+05 Bq/g.

b). Permit from SEPA/EA under EPR, unless an exemption is applicable.
c) May be some Carriage of Dang. Goods issues, unless exempted.

Kr-85 is mainly a beta emitter, with very small emission of gamma.
Unless the gas is accidentally released, there will be no submersion dose to the external body (to the skin). Being a "contained" gas, it should be sufficient from radiation shielding point of view.


There are no committed dose coefficients for inhalation.

The submersion dose-rate for exposure to an adult is 2.2E-11 Sv/day per Bq/m3

Being a noble gas, its not very reactive.

Please check with your RPA.

Are we talking at cross-purposes by any chance?

The Honeywell Bendix King avionics model KR 85 and Kr-85 gaseous radionuclide?

Worth asking.
Liz1  
#6 Posted : 03 June 2013 13:29:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Liz1

In the original posting you were asking about storage and handling. Without the details, it’s difficult to give a definitive response and you should ensure that you appoint an RPA asap and take their advise. You’ll need a prior risk assessment and local rules which will include emergency action. The RPA will help assess the dose rate which you could be exposed to and will also help include control measures.
You will need to carry out wipe tests on the dials and store cabinets to detect any possible leak of material. I never handled my dials without wearing disposable gloves and I would monitor the gloves for readings before disposing of them. It never occurred but had the gloves become contaminated I would then have been in the realms of radioactive waste and a problem with my dials physically breaking down.

I’m confused that you are referring to Kr85 – this is a gas and not used for painting aircraft dials. These were normally painted with radium; if you are storing these items be aware that one of the daughter products is radon 222 and you need to avoid breathing this in. When I had a few dials in my safe the advice I received from my RPA was to ensure that the room was well ventilated. When opening the safe to carry out the muster (count of items which I did on a weekly basis), I had to open the safe door, and leave the room immediately to allow any potential radon build-up to dilute down and vent to the outside air.
I had a couple of items which had been coated with tritium – these were quite ‘hot’ and it was important that the store contained the emissions. Another one was promethium – quiet a short half life.

In summary – keep them under lock and key and get yourself an RPA.
Gus Z  
#7 Posted : 03 June 2013 15:23:38(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Gus Z

As your screen name is Scotland 1, I presume you are in Scotland, for ionising radiation and radioactive material two main pieces of legislation are applicable and they are the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 (enforced by HSE) and the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 as amended in Scotland (enforced by SEPA). Also applicable may be the transport regulations i.e. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 see http://www.hse.gov.uk/cdg/regs.htm.

In your title you refer to UN 2911 which is the UN code for the transport of Class 7 Dangerous Goods (Radioactive Material) in particular it covers "Radioactive material, excepted package-instruments or articles". Although the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations cover transportation by air they are based on the IAEA transport publication. This IAEA document has recently been revised and the current version is "Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2012 Edition"
http://www-pub.iaea.org/...ons/PDF/Pub1570_web.pdf. UN 2911 will not refer to articles or instruments within an aircraft, it only refers to articles or instruments being transported as an "excepted package".

You refer specifically to Kr-85 can be found in lighting see the HPA (now PHE) link
http://www.hpa.org.uk/we...e/HPAweb_C/1296689012932
also
http://www.nema.org/stan...oactive-Substances.aspx.

Hope the above helps
stevedm  
#8 Posted : 04 June 2013 10:13:36(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevedm

Scotland1...give me a shout (PM) as one of the sites I have deal with aircraft components with Tritium light devices/sources. I can tell you how the local rules and procedures help.
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