ASTM Int'l Proposed Standard to Describe Compounds to Counteract Effects of Radiological Weapons - ASTM WK19352
July 14, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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ASTM International Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications is developing ASTM WK19352 - Specification for Materials to Mitigate the Spread of Radioactive Contamination after a Radiological Dispersion Event, which would help minimize the effects of a radiological "dirty bomb" detonation in a major city.
If a dirty bomb were to be detonated, vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well as weather effects could increase the spread of loose contamination, making control and recovery more difficult and costly, according to ASTM International.
While contaminant migration and chemical binding into surface materials could be relatively rapid, the immediate treatment of surfaces with large quantities of an appropriate compound, as described in ASTM WK19352, could alleviate much of the difficulty in decontamination, said ASTM International.
"Adequate preparation and development of effective mitigation and decontamination technologies will ensure the most rapid and effective recovery from a radiological event, as well as provide a measure of deterrence," said John Drake, environmental engineer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Homeland Security Research Center and Committee E54 member.
According to Drake, ASTM WK19352 will provide performance specifications for a sequestration coating that could be applied to exterior surfaces in an urban environment to mitigate the spread and binding behavior of radiological contamination.
Drake said that the principal market for products described in ASTM WK19352 would be federal, state and local government emergency responders and response planners; decontamination service providers; and those interested in protecting and recovering real estate potentially at risk from radiological terrorism.
The proposed standard is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E54.03 on Decontamination.
Source: ASTM International.