Pu 239 is not the jumper, it is Pu238. The yellow Ro2's are being taken out of service and are being replaced with a high end digital meter with a detector that can be tossed. 238 is what was used on the Cassini project. 238 is in a form that has a static charge (like Styrofoam peanuts). It moves by the charge, irregardless of airflow. Once an area gets contaminated with 238, it is never clean again, even when I say it is clean again. You will find ghost smears of low level alpha, that when you recheck, its gone! Gee, must have gotten it all with that one smear, then months later its back, another 22 dpm alpha smear. UTM was used mostly on B-line (which is in the Canyon building, but not considered part of the canyon.) I have been on top F canyon and in the Hot canyon maintenance area, in the neptunium room, and smeared inside TRU glove boxes and never saw UTM, just "told" millions. The general rule is that if you know it is grossly contaminated, you don't smear it for curiosity or to just get a number to put on a survey.
A few months ago SRNL tested out strippable paint, so we are moving forward. This week we are piloting the use of lightweight disposable coveralls for heat stress. Sometimes I am surprised we have computers. We just spent $5,000 for an all stainless steel custom made sink cabinet (they kept the top portion from the old sink). For that price we should have gotten a marble and gold sink. That sink will still be here after are we are all dust and the cockroaches are running the planet.
Poll
