ML20210P976
| ML20210P976 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/05/1982 |
| From: | Costello F, Johansen J, Kinneman J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20210P695 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-84-936 99990001-81-24, NUDOCS 8610060873 | |
| Download: ML20210P976 (6) | |
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Region I Report No. 99990001/81-24 Inquiry: Radioactive Blue Topaz Gems Inquiry conducted: October 13, 1981 thru February 15, 1982 Inspectors :- % (C ## NS/Q date' si'gned 4T. J hins{y,' Radiation Specialist 77 & 4/r/cu date sitjned
[F., C tello, Radiation Specialist YY Approved by} J. D. Kinneman, Chief, Materials hL-date signed f Radiological Protection Section Summary:
Region I was notified on October 13, 1981 by a mgmber of the general public that radiation had been detected from blue top:zigems which he believedihad been imported from Brazil. . Region I inquiries found that several individuals had performed GM surveys of blue topaz gems and found readings of up to 0.2 millirem per hour per gem and up to 12 millirem per hour on a bag of 100 gems.
Region I analysis found scandium-46 and tantalum-182 in gems provided by two jewelers. Measurements on one of these gems indicated contact radiation levels of 0.27 mrad / hour. It is believed that the presence of these isotopes is the result of neutron irradiation. The neutron radiation improved the color and thereby the marketability of the gems. Contact has been initiated with appropriate authorities in Brazil in an attempt to verify whether the radioactive gems are produced there.
. Discussions with other individuals indicated that neutron irradiation might also produce traces of cesium-137 and cobalt-60 in blue topaz gems and that irradiation of topaz has occurred in the USSR, Switzerland, England, Germany and the United States in addition to Brazil. Much of this information is based on hearsay and is unconfirmed.
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- 1. Persons Contacted Nearly all persons contacted during this irquiry specifically requested that they not be identified as having given information to the NRC.
- 2. Background -
On October 13, 1981 Region I was notified by Individual C that it had come to his attention that blue topaz gems imported from Brazil were
- radioactive. Followup inquiries determined that Individual D had found that gems analyzed by him at the request of an unnamed jeweler contained scandium-46. He also reported that one gem had an exposure rate of approximately 0.2 mR/hr and that he was told by a jeweler that 100 gems gave an exposure rate of approximately 12 mR/hr as measured by a G-M survey meter.
Other individuals contacted stated that blue topaz gems they had previously received had been irradiated by gamma radiation had no detectable activity.
They believed the radioactive gems had been irndf ated in a nuclear reactor in San Paulo, Brazil to produce a desirable blue color.
Representatives of the Gemological Institute of America stated topaz gems of undesirable color are irridiated with gamma radiation or neutrons to produce a desirable blue color. Only recently have gems seen at the Institute had detectable radiation levels. They stated that of ther
- approximately 200 blue topaz gems received Trom jewelers within the two week period previous to November 17, 1981, ipproximately 25 had radiation levels between 0.2-0.25 mR/hr.
- 3. NRC Analysis .. .
On November 6, 1981 two Jewelers agreed to send sample gems to the NRC i for analysis. The gems sent were thought to have been irradiated two weeks previously. -
t On November 9, 1981 two gems from Jeweler A and four gems from Jeweler B i were received in Region I. The gems were analyzed using a GeLi detector l
and multichannel analyzer. Results of NRC analysis are given in Attachment i 1 to this report. The dose rate at the surface of the gem having the highest actively was estimated using a TLD. Results are contained in l Attachment 2.
I Activities of other Regions and Govern [nent Agencies
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l A U.S. Customs Public Affairs Officer in New York City was contacted in
- November 1981 to discuss a rumor that radioactive blue topaz gems had been confiscated at John F. Kennedy International Airport. This rumor j proved to be unfounded. A Washington, D.C. Public Affairs Officer of U.S. Customs was contacted in December 1981 to obtain information regarding
- special procedures customs requires for entrance of gems into the U.S.
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3 He indicated that no special procedures were used and that imported gems were not usually identified to Customs by type, but only as " gems" or
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" semi precious stones".
A representative of Florida State Radiological Services informed Region I that gems they had surveyed at the request of a local jeweler who imports them from Brazil contained no activity exceeding background.
Region III received a report of radioactive opals. Their findings are documented in Attachment 3.
The State of Arizona identified radioactive gems at a gem show. Their findings are documented in Attachment 4.
- 5. Color induction and irradiation Although specific processes for color induction are apparently closely gaurded trade secrets, Region I obtained general information from Individuals E and F. They stated that white, yellow or other colored topaz could be irradiated either by gamma radiation or neutron causing the gems to change to a brownish-blue color. When the gems are heated, a bright blue color results. The color of the topaz is permanent and the brillance or shade of the blue color is no indication of the irradiation process used.
Individuals E and F stated that the technique of irradiating topaz gems to induce blue color has been used for over:13 years. ,
- a Irradiated blue topaz gems are much cheaperi than good quality aquamarine gems and are apparently an acceptable substitute.
Additional information is included in Attachment 4.
- 6. Source of Gems Individuals E, F and G have stated that they believe gamma and neutron irradiation of topaz gems has occurred in the USSR, Switzerland, England, Germany, Brazil and the United States. These individuals mentioned New Jersey and California may have facilities which irradiated gems, but could not identify specific locations.
Individual G stated he believed that topaz gems had been irradiated with neutrons produced by a linear accelerator in California.
- 7. Additional possible neutron activation products
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In addition to Sc-46, and Ta-182, Individual F indicated the p.oduction of Cs-137 and Co-60 are possibilities. He expressed concern that beryl helidon, another gem stone which could be irradiated for color enhancement would contain 0.1-1.0%Cs-137 by weight as a result of neutron irradiation for color inhancement.
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- 8. Public Information Articles about radioactive blue topaz gems have appeared in the trade magazine, " Jeweler Circle Keystone," and in the Columbus, Ohio, " Columbus Dispatch". (See Att;achments 4 and 5) 9 i a
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Attachment 1 - Report 99990001/81-24 Analysis or Blue Tocar from Jewelers A and 8 Jeweler Identi fication Weleht of Com fal RadlonucIlde Identirled Activity in Cem (nanocurles)
A Cem 1 27. 3 Ca ra t s tantalian-182 15 1 1 A Cem 2 2.02 Ca ra ts tantalum-182 1.2 i .1 B Cem 1 25.12 Ca ra ts scandium-46 0.7 1 0.1 tantalum-182 2.0 1 0.3 0 Cem 2 18.46 Ca ra ts scandium-46 0.9 i 0.1 tantalum-182 1.7 1 0.3 8 Cem 3 10.99 Ca ra t s tantalum-182 0.9 1 0.2 -
8 Cem 4 10.a8e Carats scandium *i6 0.7 1 0.1 tantalum-182 5.6 1 0.4 (a) 200 mg equa l s 1 Ca ra t to eists le
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l Attachment 2 - Report 9999001/81-24 Dose Rate Measured at Surface of Blue Topaz Exposed TLD 19.5 mrad Control TI.D - 1.4 mrad Net Dose 18.1 mrad Dose Rate = 18.1 mrad /67 hours = 0.27 mrad /hr This dose rate was measured at the surface of Gem 1 from Jeweler A. This gem contains 15 nanocuries of tantalum-182 and weighs.27.3 carats.
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