The recent discovery of damage caused by micro-organism in the MI Low Conductivity Water loop, and the subsequent radiography of all the welds and repairs, have delayed the installation and commissioning of the permanent magnet anti-proton storage ring (dubbed the Recycler Ring). However, the Recycler Ring is an integral part of the MI facility and it is scheduled to be commissioned before the February 1999 date.
A recent incident involving a potentially contaminated wound raised several issues affecting our emergency response to situations where radiation and/or radioactive materials may be involved. Bloodborne pathogens are of considerable concern in the workplace these days, given the public attention to hepatitis and HIV. Biologically decontaminating radiological instruments would not only be difficult but also significantly increase the risk of exposure to instrument technicians.
Care should also be taken to prevent contamination of the wound with foreign materials. As a result, members of our Instrumentation Team investigated several "shields" and their effects on instrument response and efficiency to accelerator produced isotopes. For personnel contamination surveys, a frisker type instrument with a pancake probe, usually a Ludlum 44-9 or Eberline E140N, is used. In summary, a sandwich bag provided adequate protection of the probe while only reducing instrument response about 10%. A surgeon's glove, which might be used for its sterility, resulted in a 50+% reduction in response. Fermilab Radiation Physics note 132 describes this study in detail.
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