Abstract
A Hazmatpac can, paint can style shipping container with locking ring, was tested for use as an alternative shipping configuration for shipment of radium-224/lead-212 generators. Ra-224 (t1/2 = 3.63 d) decays by alpha emission to radon-220 (t1/2 = 55.6 s). The potential for the radioactive radon gas to escape the generator column and the shipping container is of particular concern for the safe delivery of Ra-224/Pb-212 generators to customers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the Hazmatpac can is a suitable shipping configuration, capable of containing the radon gas that may escape the generator column during transit. A 17.3 mCi Ra-224/Pb-212 generator was built and packaged into a Hazmatpac can. The can was smeared by a Radiological Control Technician (RCT) every day for seven days to analyze for radioactive contamination on the outside of the can. Over the course of the study, no radioactive contamination was found on the outside of the can. Therefore, the Hazmatpac can was approved as an alternative shipping configuration for shipment of Ra-224/Pb-212 generators.
