title: Incineration and monitoring of low-level 3H and 14C wastes at a biological research institution.
abstract: Low-level radioactive waste containing liquid scintillation fluid and known amounts of 14C and 3H has been incinerated in a modified pathological incinerator with the incinerator effluent, refractory surface and ash being monitored. The study relates the activity monitored to that incinerated and discusses how this relation was affected by a modification of the incinerator and monitoring conditions. No significant activity was found to be associated with the ash, particulates or the refractory surface. These data suggest that most of the activity is released as tritiated water vapor and 14C-labeled carbon dioxide. However, incomplete oxidation may occur for short periods of time depending on the amount of liquid scintillation fluid incinerated, with the possible release of 14C-labeled carbon monoxide.
mesh_terms: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D014316:Tritium; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D014316:Tritium