Walker Science Building - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Dec 3, 2005

Walker Science Building

Date: Dec 3, 2005

Wonderin' wrote:

Does anyone know anything about some sort of dangerous radioactive item in the Walker Science Building and how it got there (if it is there)? Someone said it can never be moved because it is too dangerous. Perhaps this is just a crazy rumor.

If I remember correctly the radioactive source is Cobalt 60. It was installed for a research project back in the early 70s. It can be moved, but to do so safely would be expensive. It will probably also be expensive to pay someone to take it.

Date: Dec 3, 2005

Is there anyone who can get their hands no a geiger counter and simply walk through to see what the deal is? (if there is a deal) What a wild story this would be if there was something to it.

Date: Dec 3, 2005

It is true, but the cobalt is secure and not dangerous as is. Another reason Walker has been repeatedly renovated but has never been torn down.

Date: Dec 3, 2005

TO: IHL
FEOM: SFT

As you noted on the AAUP website, I am currently solving the Cobalt 60 problem created by the science faculty. Since the half-life of Cobalt 60 is 5.27 years, I am asking that you consider this a "work in progress" and extend my contract by that time period.

Yours truly,

Shelby Freeloader Thames

Date: Dec 4, 2005

Good one! Thanks for my laugh this evening.

Truth

Date: Dec 4, 2005

CoST Faculty:Could you please elaborate on the cobalt being "secure and not dangerous as is." How is it secure and what do you mean by not dangerous as is? Where is it? How big is it? Could it become more dangerous somehow? Is this item a threat?

Date: Dec 4, 2005

Wonderin' wrote:

CoST Faculty:Could you please elaborate on the cobalt being "secure and not dangerous as is." How is it secure and what do you mean by not dangerous as is? Where is it? How big is it? Could it become more dangerous somehow? Is this item a threat?

Although I'm not CoST Faculty, Wonderin', I will try to answer your questions. I'm not totally sure it is Cobalt 60 because I'm doing this by memory. The radioactive source is in a shielded container. I saw the shipping container, which was about 4 feet high and 3 feet in diameter if I remember correctly. I know where it is located, but think it best not to give that information out. I don't see how, of itself, it could become more dangerous. It is not dangerous or a threat unless the shielding becomes damaged.

Could I ask you a question? Why are you so interested in this radioactive source that has been at USM for about 35 years. Most universities have radioactive sources. USM has other radioactive sources, although they may not be that large.

Date: Dec 4, 2005

Geiger Counter wrote:

Could I ask you a question? Why are you so interested in this radioactive source that has been at USM for about 35 years.

For the same reason I am concerned about working for many years in a building that contained asbestos.

Date: Dec 4, 2005

Beep Beep wrote:

Geiger Counter wrote: Could I ask you a question? Why are you so interested in this radioactive source that has been at USM for about 35 years.

For the same reason I am concerned about working for many years in a building that contained asbestos.

I would say the exposed asbestos, which could get into the air, was a danger to our lungs. Radioactive material that is shielded is not a source of danger. We live with natural levels of radiation everyday. Of course the shielding should be tested for leaks on a regular basis. If there were a leak in some direction out of the shielding, someone would have to work in the room or nearby in that same direction to be in danger.

I do recall for a time people who worked daily in WSB wore (or kept in their office) a radiation badge. These were check on a regular basis. After a while that was discontinued.

If you have concerns, I suggest you contact the University Safety Officer, Frank Woodruff at 266-4933 .

Date: Dec 4, 2005

If you feel that threatened by something, you do have free will to go somewhere and take care of yourself.

Date: Dec 4, 2005

confused wrote:

If you feel that threatened by something, you do have free will to go somewhere and take care of yourself.

Like consulting a lawyer?

Date: Dec 5, 2005

A little Walker Science history, from a former occupant.

The asbestos is long-gone, having been removed 17 years ago. From December 1988 to February 1989, the ceilings were scraped by contractors in respirators and protective clothing, and all the asbestos was taken to an appropriate landfill. That's why the first-floor classrooms had the echoes of 'naked' concrete, until the acoustic ceiling installation in April-May 1997.

There is an encapsulated radiation source in the building, dating from a 1960s project which looked at the possibility of irradiating fire ants to sterilize them. In the $4.2 million renovation (May 1999-December 2000), during which the large auditoriums were built, the architect and contractors decided that it would cost more money to remove the radiation source than to leave it in place. Since it complied with all Federal and State regulations, was stable and safe in place, it was left in place for the duration.

Date: Dec 5, 2005

Dean Dunn wrote:

A little Walker Science history, from a former occupant. The asbestos is long-gone, having been removed 17 years ago.

Asbestos removal also occurred in my building. Although the workers covered my books and other belongings with a plastic like cover before the work began, when I returned I discovered some sort of dusty material I could not identify covering the surface of almost everything in my area.

Date: Dec 5, 2005

Mouth Breather wrote:

Dean Dunn wrote: A little Walker Science history, from a former occupant. The asbestos is long-gone, having been removed 17 years ago. Asbestos removal also occurred in my building. Although the workers covered my books and other belongings with a plastic like cover before the work began, when I returned I discovered some sort of dusty material I could not identify covering the surface of almost everything in my area.

Probably concrete dust. WSB inhabitants also had 'bolted-to-the-wall' bookcases covered with plastic sheeting, and anything otherwise non-removable. The 'moon suited' contractors used water and solvents to soften the blown-in fibrous asbestos, but the bulk of the removal was by hand, using scrapers. The removal process also scratched the surface of the concrete below the fibers, so when the water dried, you had very fine powdered concrete in the building.

Before the university could 'sign off' on getting the buildings back from the contractors, they had to run a filter system to check for lack of residual air-borne fibers. The place was really dusty for a couple of weeks after we moved back in.

Date: Dec 5, 2005

Dean Dunn wrote:

A little Walker Science history, from a former occupant. The asbestos is long-gone, having been removed 17 years ago. From December 1988 to February 1989, the ceilings were scraped by contractors in respirators and protective clothing, and all the asbestos was taken to an appropriate landfill. That's why the first-floor classrooms had the echoes of 'naked' concrete, until the acoustic ceiling installation in April-May 1997. There is an encapsulated radiation source in the building, dating from a 1960s project which looked at the possibility of irradiating fire ants to sterilize them. In the $4.2 million renovation (May 1999-December 2000), during which the large auditoriums were built, the architect and contractors decided that it would cost more money to remove the radiation source than to leave it in place. Since it complied with all Federal and State regulations, was stable and safe in place, it was left in place for the duration.

My memory differs slightly from yours, Dean. I recall the source installed in the early 1970s not the 1960s. Also I never heard the story about the fire ants. I thought the project was in Chemistry or Physics rather than Biology.