Waste Control at the General Motors
Research, Isotope Laboratory
A. SOMERVILLE, Supervisor, Physics Department
Research Laboratories
General Motors Corporation
Warren, Michigan
INTRODUCTION
The subject of radioactive waste handling and disposal is a very broad
one. The following points should be noted. 1. All radioactive waste is detected and assayed by "counters" or other nuclear radiation detectors.
2. Radioactive waste is usually a mixture of different radioisotopes. The nature of this mixture is seldom fully known. 3. The biological toxicity of different radionuclides differ by factors of a million or more. Therefore, it is
important to know something about the nature of the waste and to properly
interpret the results. 4. Old-fashioned chemical toxicity problems cannot be
overlooked. We have encountered several instances where the chemical toxicity of a material, not the radiological toxicity, is the governing factor.
5. Waste control and waste handling starts with the designing and equipping of
a suitable work space. 6. The success of a given system depends, to a great
extent, upon careful planning on the part of the technical personnel who
originate the wastes.
TYPES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL HANDLED IN THE
GENERAL MOTORS ISOTOPE LABORATORY
The General Motors Isotope Laboratory was constructed as a general pur -
pose building for radioisotope work. At the time of construction it was not
definite exactly what types of work would finally be performed or what activ -
ity levels would be ultimately involved. The building was, therefore, designed to permit maximum safety and flexibility. To date the types of
materials used vary from the multi-curie amounts of short half-lifed material
to curie amounts of longer half-life materials. The types of isotopes procured vary tremendously from month to month. Wastes produced may be
gaseous, liquid, or solid. Fortunately the problem is not complicated by the
extensive use of alpha-emitting materials although several sealed neutron
sources of polonium and plutonium are employed.
DESIGN OF THE ISOTOPE LABORATORY
The Isotope Laboratory is very similar to other laboratory structures in appearance. It does, however, have special features which aid in the confinement, and handling of radioactive waste. Major features include a 300
lb/sq ft floor in the laboratory and hallway areas, a special air system, and a
special drain system.
The Laboratory Air System
Adequate ventilation is essential to protect personnel, and to protect the
building. The laboratory is equipped with a one-pass air system shown in
Figure 1. The air is taken into the basement through an areaway at ground
level. The areaway is located so that prevailing winds will not carry any radioactivity and any radioactive gasses which might accidentally be emitted
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