Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

Re: [Phys-L] Nuclear Waste Incident New Mexico.



The official news stories suggest that any “release” was very limited.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-radiation-leak-20140218,0,2098213.story#axzz2uFYZ73KO
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/n-m-nuclear-waste-site-stays-closed-after-radiation-leak-n35246

The blog you found indicates that someone knows how to run Hysplit and create alarming maps. None of the maps have calculated an exposure. They’re just showing wind patterns. In fact, the first plot suggests that the ground-level air over NM on the 15th will pass over Oklahoma at 500 meters altitude.

Some people might be alarmed when you report 15 counts/min. This sounds like normal background radiation. This level is probably typical of what you would read from this same detector in your lab at any other time. More importantly, we don’t know anything about the size or calibration of your counter. A larger detector would read more counts per minute. A detector with a thin window would detect more of the low-energy photons from uranium. Converting 15 counts/minute to a radiation dose is pretty tricky. Cosmic radiation will also vary with time of day (depending, for the most part, on whether the Milky Way is directly overhead). Simply reporting a number without any standard units could create panic.

Your test is great. But it’s more likely to be an exercise in statistical fluctuations of the normal background radiation and/or the stability of your detector over long periods of time. I don’t think that you will see a plume of radiation pass overhead.

Paul



On Feb 23, 2014, at 9:59 PM, brian whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

More than 2 weeks ago there was apparently a nuclear incident near Carlsbad NM - I read on a Facebook share (!!)
According to a low level wind forecast, there may have been an impact on SW Oklahoma.
I am reading 15 counts/minute, currently. Here is the story alluded to.

http://optimalprediction.com/wp/plutonium-release-from-the-wipp-radioactive-waste-facility/

Brian Whatcott Altus OK
_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@phys-l.org
http://www.phys-l.org/mailman/listinfo/phys-l