avoiding spurious alarms on portal contaminatino monitors

[electricpete]

Maybe some people on this forum have some advice or can direct me to info on this topic.

During periods of temperature inversions, certain types of fabrics in our clothes are susceptible to retaining radon which causes spurious alarms on personnel contamination monitors when exiting a r.c.a.

I think I have more spurious alarms then anyone else I know. I was told to use fabric softener in the wash... my wife does that and still we get those alarms.

Does anyone have any further suggestions to avoid false alarms... what type fabric softener to use? What type of clothes to avoid? etc?

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[jpankask]

Our HP's tell us to avoid synthetic fabrics. 100% cotton is the best, I have been told. This time of year, the static electricity is probably a big factor, which is why the fabric softener is supposed to help.

I've gotten caught the last two times I went in as well, and I think I was wearing all cotton clothing so even that doesn't always do it.

 

[vpl]

Our hard hats set off the portal alarms a lot - cheap plastic.

I agree on the 100% cotton. Other natural fabrics (wool, silk) also work. I haven't had too much problem with acrylics (found in some sweaters), but I totally avoid polyester.

I use dryer sheets, currently its Bounce^TM. But I often use what's cheapest. There also used to be a spray-on (I think the name was Static-Guard) that a lot of people kept in their desks.

You might try keeping a log of when you get the alarms, what you're wearing, and what part of the body got the alarm.

Patricia Lougheed

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[GrimesFrank]

Pete,
Anytime I've tripped the portals due to Radon dotters;

A) It was winter (Dry air inside)
B) I was wearing synthetics (>50%)

My suggestion, go nude and turn off your HVAC heat. That'll solve your radon problem. Of course you better have a liberal harassment policy at your work

Today is gone. Today was fun.
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there,
funny things are everywhere. ~'Dr.' Theodor Geisel

 

[vpl]

Frank

Many years ago, at a certain unnamed plant in Minnesota, coming out of containment, a plant worker did as you advised.

Shortly after the licensee put in a requirement that everyone wear modesty clothing.

Ummm....thanks for the memories, I think.

Patricia Lougheed

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[electricpete]

LOL.

Thanks for the tips.

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[GrimesFrank]

Patricia,
I once was with a guy going into containment. He wasn't prepared, last minute thing. Rather than go back to the changeroom to put overalls on, infront of the airlock, he stripped down to his socks and put a tyvek suit on under his plastics. I wasn't his only audience, luckily no females. Modesty was not this guy's middle name.

Another time my shirt sleeve set off the monitor (real, not radon). RP wanted me to give them my shirt and wear a "scrubs-type" shirt. No way. I cut the sleeves off my shirt. I did have to keep explaining why I looked like I chewed tobacco and drove a big pick-up though ;P

Today is gone. Today was fun.
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there,
funny things are everywhere. ~'Dr.' Theodor Geisel