The following are the readings we got with the Ludlum 19 and the SAM-940.
We took rad readings with a Ludlum 19 and a SAM-940.
Entering the area 251 micro rem/hour
1 foot away /lead wrapped parts 200 micro rem/hr
On contact, w/lead wrapping, 500 micro rem/hr.
On contact without lead wrapping 2 milli rem/hr
The SAM-940 confirmed that it is U-238, but the fact that we did get a response from the Ludlum 19 within 4 feet of approaching the wood pallet with lead-covered covered DU,indicating that there is an energetic gamma emitter present, probably some U-235, which is consistent with military grade DU.
As soon as I saw the parts I was pretty sure they were parts of a military aircraft, probably US Army, probably the leading edge of a loading ramp of a cargo plane, but I'm not an expert on military aircraft so that's just an informed guess. There were numerous marking on each piece, including what looked like parts numbers, an "inspected-by" stencil, and most interestingly each piece was stamped with either "Made by NL Industries, Inc." or "Made by National Lead Each one was stamped on the outside surface with "Depleted Uranium High Salvage Value Install this side down National Lead Company "
The parts were wrapped in lead and overpacked in a steel drum. The exterior readings were in the 500 micro rem/hr range, well below the OSHA upper limit.
The drum was sealed, marked, and segregated.
