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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that the Department of Energy (DOE) is no longer producing Californium-252 (Cf-252) at its Oak Ridge National Laboratory facility?
No. In May 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) notified industries that when their current inventory of Cf-252 was exhausted they would no longer be supplying Cf-252. However, after SABIA and other industry representatives met with the DOE on several occasions in 2008, the DOE Department of Science reversed its decision and made the commitment that production of Cf-252 will continue as long as industry provides the funding up front for full cost recovery. As a result, the DOE has entered into an agreement with industry to meet the projected needs and assure a long term supply.
Do I have to worry about nuclear radiation when I work near the analyzer?
No. In SABIA analyzers, shielding materials are used to slow down the neutrons and to focus them into the material to be analyzed. The same materials are used to prevent radiation from getting to areas that may be occupied by people. SABIA instruments combined with regulatory requirements establish a safe working environment for operators and those who may work near them.
Regulatory agencies have prepared extensive regulations to protect the public from sources of nuclear radiation. Under those regulations, the public in the U.S. may not be exposed to radiation from a nuclear device to an annual dose greater than the 100 mR, which is equivalent to 40% of the dose received by a person living in Denver, Colorado, or 2/3 of the dose received by a person living in San Diego, California, from natural sources during a year. In other words, the regulations require dosage levels below that experienced by everyone in most geographic locations. A qualified radiation worker with adequate measurement instrumentation is allowed to receive an annual dose of 5,000 mR, which is equivalent to the radiation dose received from one typical nuclear medicine heart scan.
