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Stevens & Thompson Paper Company

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12/29/04-Press Releases 1/3/2005
James Haklar and Leo Rosales released Kr-85 removal information. The infomation was listed on the EPA website and covered by the local papers.
11/16/04 Kr-85 Removal 11/17/2004
Stevens & Thompson Paper Mill Site is being assessed for responsible party cleanup by OSC Kahn. A crate labeled Krypton-85/UN# 2982 (Not Otherwise Specified) was discovered on 11/12/04.

OSC Daly traveled to the site with radiation screening instruments. There were no readings above background surrounding the crate. The crate appeared to be empty. If a radioactive isotope was inside, a heavy shielding material would normally be present. The crate was labeled 37 GBq which is about 1 Curie of Activity.

The Honeywell Precision Plus 150 Therm Scanner was screened at approximately 1 inch from the casing labeled with radiation stickers. The Ludlam 19 reading was 1000 uR/Hr. Honeywell is the manufacturing of the scanner. OSC contacted CHEMTREC and located the appropriate Honeywell Radiation Safety Personnel. EPA then put the owner and Honeywell in contact with each other to negotiate removal of radioactive Kr-85 Capsule. This was performed under OSC oversight on 11/16/04.

OSC Daly met with the local Honeywell Technician. The Kr-85 Capsule/Unit was properly/safely removed from the scanner. The unit was secured in a shielding container specifically designed for this capsule. The Kr-85 was then properly placed in a shipping crate and labeled with appropriate DOT sticker. A Honeywell checklist was carefully reviewed throughout the process. Two radiation screening instruments were being used throughout the process. No readings above 1000 uR/Hr were observed. The crate was shipped to the Honeywell Office in Arizona via Federal Express. The source will be assessed by Honeywell for re-use or proper disposal. The scanner casing did not have any reading above background after the Kr-85 unit removal. NYSDEC and the local Fire Department were contacted prior to activities and again after completion of the removal.

Kr-85 is a Radioactive Noble Gas with a 10 year half-life. Kr-85 is commercially used in paper thickness gauges, detecting leaks in sealed containers, a triggering agent in discharge type electronic tubes, and in the medical field, specifically heart shunt studies.