High pressure cation exchange is used routinely at the Transuranium Processing Facility (TRU) to separate decigram quantities of transplutonium elements that have been produced in the High Flux Isotope Reactor. The process is based on chromatographic elution from Dowex 50W-X8 resin using ammonium alpha-hydroxyisobutyrate (AHIB) as the eluent [I). Since 1967, a total of 4.6 g of 252cf, 0.5 g of 249 B k, 19 m g o f 253 ESj and 10 pg of 257p m (estimated) have been separated at TRU using this procedure. Original development of this process at ORNL was done by Campbell and Buxton (J2,3)» and was later adapted for processing at high activity levels at TRU by Baybarz, et al (4_). The use of high pressure with very small resin has helped mitigate two problems associated with processing highlyradioactive solutions of transplutonium elements. First, radiation damage is reduced since higher flow rates and quicker separations are possible; and second, radiolytic gassing is suppressed.
UK professional bodies have established a number of sectorial working parties to provide guidance on the improvement of radiation safety (RS) culture in the workplace. The medical sector provides unique challenges in this regard, and the remit of the medical group was to review the current state of RS culture and to develop a framework for improvement. The review of current RS culture was based on measurable indicators, including data from regulatory inspections, personal monitoring data and incident data. An online survey to capture the RS-related views and experience of hospital staff at all levels was carried out, and the responses provided a wealth of information on RS awareness and implementation across the country. The framework for improving RS culture includes both 'top-down' initiatives to engage management and regulators, and 'bottom-up' initiatives relating to engagement and training of different staff groups. A 'Ten-point Assessment' on what constitutes a good approach to medical RS culture has been proposed, which provides a tool for management to assess RS culture in the workplace and has potential use in regulatory inspections in the UK.
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