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Answer to Question #5231 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Environmental and Background Radiation — General

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

I am living in an old hospital, which was turned into an employee dormitory, specifically in the room that was the radiography. My question is: Is there any chance of residual radioactivity in the rooms like this and, if so, how long will it last in the room?

A

It is unlikely that there is any residual radioactivity for any room used with radioactive material. This is due to regulations (state and/or federal) requiring the previous user to remove all radiation sources and decontaminate as necessary prior to releasing the area for unrestricted use. If the room was used for x rays, there will be no radiation after the x-ray source was removed.

 Ken "Duke" Lovins, CHP
 

Answer posted on 7 March 2006. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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