[R-390] R390A meters

Larry Zefers zefers at msn.com
Thu Jun 14 12:55:17 EDT 2018 

I agree with Mr. Bracey totally.

Being involved in nuclear clean up teams and instrument calibration of these devices you should stay away from any exposure to radiation of nuclear sources as he describes. We have all been exposed to this type of radiation on one level or another and as time goes on we may be exposed to even more.
So beware and advised your health is most important. Protect yourself at all costs.

> On Jun 14, 2018, at 09:17, Mike Bracey <mikebracey at att.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> "Why not just leave the meters alone and don't f....    with them.  
> Madame Curie learned the lesson the hard way."
> 
> Cheers All
> W4RRD
> 
> Ha, exactly what I was thinking.
> 73, MikeKE5YVT
> 
> 
>      From: Robert Meadows <rpmeadow at bellsouth.net>
> To: 'Charles Steinmetz' <csteinmetz at yandex.com>; r-390 at mailman.qth.net 
> Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 9:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [R-390] R390A meters
> 
> In my past, dealing with WII vintage aircraft instruments, it was always
> best choice to send the instruments to a certified overhaul shop where the
> instrument dial/face would be properly removed, the instrument
> services/overhauled as necessary and a new dial/face installed that didn't
> have any radium in it.  
> In my locality, there is a Govt facility that processed such instruments for
> disposal/sale, utilizing sailors in many cases to remove the instruments
> from their packing boxes, (the cardboard was worth money).  The instruments
> were "placed in a hopper".  Well sailors being sailors, many were broken.
> The radium still resides in the surrounding waterways and a "closed" swamp,
> according to the officials in charge of the cleanup... go figure.
> 
> Even the early Big Ben alarm clocks are full of that magic glow in the dark
> dial powered by radium.  The phosphor eventually burns out, but, the radium
> will be around for a long time.
> 
> Why not just leave the meters alone and don't f....    with them.  
> Madame Curie learned the lesson the hard way.
> 
> Cheers All
> W4RRD
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Charles Steinmetz
> Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 9:17 PM
> To: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [R-390] R390A meters
> 
> Several people have contacted me offlist asking how much risk there is 
> if one *does* open a radioluminescent 390/390A meter.  This is a very 
> tough question.
> 
> My answer is:  I know nothing about you, or your abilities concerning 
> careful detail work that requires fine dexterity and hand-eye 
> coordination, or your ability and willingness to follow instructions 
> down to the last detail.  Therefore, I must recommend that you *DO NOT* 
> open a radioluminescent 390/A meter *for any reason*.
> 
> If you decide to ignore this advice and *do* open such a meter, you must 
> absolutely, positively insure that you are the only person who could 
> possibly be exposed or endangered by your activities. I also recommend 
> that you *study* (not just "review") the AEC/NRC cleanup protocols, as 
> well as the standards and protocols that govern working with materials 
> that contain Ra226.  You will also need to ensure that you have 
> laboratory-grade radiation monitors ($$$) available at all times.
> 
> At a minimum, you will need an indoor space that is relatively well 
> sealed (doesn't exchange air with the outside environment).  You will 
> need to enter this space and seal it up, and have available at least one 
> laboratory-grade radiation monitor (preferably two, for sanity checks). 
>   You will also need to have a reliable communications device you can 
> use to contact your local HAZMAT authority, as well as the contact 
> information for that authority.
> 
> This means that no part of any dwelling occupied by others may be used 
> (whether they are there at the time or not).  *Period*.  You at least 
> need a standalone building (preferably small) located at least 50m from 
> the nearest other building.
> 
> So, the drill is:  Seal yourself in and do your work, continuously 
> checking the radiation monitors.  Clean up, putting all leftover 
> radioactive materials into radiation-safe containers that are shielded 
> for the types of radiation emitted by the item(s) you were working on 
> (alpha, beta, and gamma in the case of Ra226).  Check for residual 
> radiation *everywhere* in the space you are working in, including your 
> own person and clothing.  Check again.  Check a third time.
> 
> If everything tests clean, arrange to have your local HAZMAT authority 
> pick up the waste container(s) (or transport it to them, if permitted in 
> your jurisdiction -- but be sure to *CALL FIRST* to alert them that you 
> will be coming).
> 
> Now, here is the hard part.  If there is any residual radiation, *STOP* 
> before you spread it any further.  Call your HAZMAT authority, explain 
> the situation to them, sit down calmly, do not move or stir the air, and 
> wait patiently for the nice people in radiation suits to come and 
> decontaminate you and your space.
> 
> Now, do you still want to open up your meter?  If so, (1) keep your eyes 
> wide open, (2) take full responsibility for what you are doing, 
> understanding that radioactive dust is easy to spread and virtually 
> impossible to collect after it is spread, and (3) take all of the 
> precautions described above.  I have done this in the past, but I would 
> not do so today because my manual dexterity may no longer be up to the 
> challenge due to aging.
> 
> Better, look at *how nice* Bob's replacement meters came out, and follow 
> his lead.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Charles
> 
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