One piece of Savannah River Site technology is no bigger than a human thumb, but is a critical element to ensuring that radiological detectors are working and keeping workers safe from radiation.
Housed in a small metal casing known as a "rabbit," the Cobalt-60 source emits targeted radiation at various levels, which ensures that radioactivity monitors are operating properly, and measuring doses accurately.
Cobalt-60 is created by bombarding Cobalt with neutrons produced in nuclear reactors.
According to a press release, a specialized team of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, or SRNS, employees and subcontractors orchestrated the removal of the Cobalt-60 from its home within SRS' Health Physics Instrument Calibration Laboratory. From there, it was transported to an offsite location to be rehoused in a new "rabbit" and returned to SRS.
Upon its return to the lab, employees moved the Cobalt-60 source in a protective cask, which provided shielding from radiation. A choreographed work plan was developed to place it into a Gamma Beam Irradiator - a device that produces gamma radiation beams of variable intensity.
Once replaced, the Cobalt-60 source was put back into service where it will continue to calibrate radioactivity monitors that are deployed into various areas across the Site. These monitors measure radioactivity in-and-around SRS facilities, the environment and on humans.
Gordon Quillin, SRNS, director of radiological protection department, said it's imperative to have accurate dose readings in all aspects of the work.
"Cobalt-60 affords us with impeccable quality control, ensuring that our radioactivity monitoring tools are accurate and employees are protected from radioactivity," Quillin said.
Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.