Below is a thumbnail of the floor plan of the basement of Welsbach Building, showing Gamma Readings (Please click the picture to see the expanded version)
Produced by Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. for NJ DEP 1991
The Welsbach/General Gas Mantle building was last used by Ste-Lar Textiles, Inc. as a warehouse for textile storage. The building was closed by the The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in 1992 following extensive testing.
The testing was performed by a company certified by the State of New Jersey to test radioactive hazardous sites. The NJDEP, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Health assisted in this effort.
The building had many different environments to be tested. The building, its equipment, and the bolts of fabric were all checked. In addition, air monitoring was also done on each floor using a spectrophotometer.
The bolts of fabric were stored in the building wrapped in plastic cataloged with a coding system identifying its location.
The important types of radiation exposure at the Welsbach - Ste-Lar site gamma radiation, alpha radiation, and airborne radioactive particulates. Alpha radiation was measured first because the thorium health threat is usually caused by airborne particulates. An alpha counter with rate meter assembly and a Geiger-Mueller Counter were used to measure these radiations in disintegration per minute per square centimeter. Beta and gamma radiations were also measured using a beta-gamma probe. All types of radiation affect people by ionizing the chemicals of which cells are made.
The soil was also identified as a source of high gamma radiation following heavy rainfall when the basement flooded. This allows more radiation to enter the basement. If the building is demolished much of the radiaoactive soil would need to be removed also.
Alpha radiation is of less concern because it must be ingested to be harmful. However, if airborne radioactive particulates are inhaled into the lung, serious damage can occur. The upper floors are believed to be contaminated with about half the level of airborne particulates due to the movement of air from the basement. Attempts to decontaminate the building and its contents did not prove adequate.
Plastic coveralls, plastic booties, and rubber gloves were worn by personnel testing the Welsbach - Ste-Lar site since they provide protection from the high levels of gamma and alpha radiation from the thorium. Full face masks were worn to prevent the inhalation of radioactive particulates. In areas of the building where contamination was high, a self contained breathing apparatus was used to provide a portable source of clean air.
Working in this suit is hot and uncomfortable, but working without it is not an option.
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