The investigation and identification of a civil defense canister.
A Civil Defense canister was found in a high school storage area with no radioactive labels or instructions. Initial screening with a 2" x 2" NaI detector indicated elevated count rates above background. Using field instruments with gamma peak analysis features and a laboratory counting system, the collective effort indicated that the contents included 238U and 235U. A Civil Defense Item Specification introduced later in the investigation show that the canister contained approximately 3.0 g of uranyl acetate. The specification also stated that the purpose of the canister was to determine the amount of radioactive material in water and solid, or liquid food samples.
Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Protection, USA. jwebb@gw.odh.state.oh.us
James
J
Webb
James
J
Colleli
Steven
S
Fonseca
D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D011835:Radiation Protection; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis*
D014501:Uranium