Decontamination of Water Containing Radiological Warfare Agents
Abstract
This report summarizes research and development studies conducted by the U.S. Army since 1949 on the decontamination of water containing radiological substances. It was found that nuclear weapons can seriously contaminate field water supplies with fission products, unfissioned uranium or plutonium, or neutron-activated radioisotopes. A semiquantitative check of the level of activity in water can be made with a standard PDR-27 beta-gamma radiation meter. The standard Army ERDLator Unit is effective removing radioactive substances from water when present as suspended turbidity. The ERDLator Unit will not remove radioactive contaminants present as soluble radioisotopes. The standard Army Ion Exchange Unit, used as a post treatment device after the ERDLator Unit, removes soluble activity. The standard Army vapor compression distillation unit is effective in decontaminating water containing radioactive material. The reverse osmosis water purification process holds promise of a high level of decontamination of radioactivity present in the water in both the soluble and insoluble states.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA020193
Entities
People
- Don C. Lindsten
- Richard P. Schmitt