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Re: Buried chemical waste hazard

PostPosted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:51 pm
by RDR
dazza wrote:How about some buried radium? In 1938 the Western Infirmary Radiotherapy Dept. acquired a radium beam unit which carried three grammes of radium. However, with the fear of air strikes during WWII, a 50ft deep steel-lined concrete shaft was constructed near Dumbarton Road to store the radium for the duration of the war. It would be lowered into the shaft in the afternoon and retrieved again the next morning. I'm guessing this "superstructure" is still there.


Do you think its near the underground car park?

Re: Buried chemical waste hazard

PostPosted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 10:49 pm
by Targer
The "field" from this amount of Radium should be of no problem because its well shielded by earth. The problem lies if it gets outside of its containment then it is of concern.

Re: Buried chemical waste hazard

PostPosted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:48 pm
by Guacho
I seem to recall in the 1970s the Radiotherapy unit (the current F block) at the Western extended out underneath Dumbarton Road towards the then Roost pub, to install 2 radiotherapy units. Could this have been where the shaft was?

Re: Buried chemical waste hazard

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:18 am
by dazza
RDR wrote:Do you think its near the underground car park?


I think it could be, or certainly under Phase 1 somewhere. Remind me, what are the university's reasons for retaining the Phase 1 building? Something about it being safer to just leave it be. I can't remember whether it's due to contamination or old mine workings, etc.

Re: Buried chemical waste hazard

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:13 am
by RDR
dazza wrote:
RDR wrote:Do you think its near the underground car park?


I think it could be, or certainly under Phase 1 somewhere. Remind me, what are the university's reasons for retaining the Phase 1 building? Something about it being safer to just leave it be. I can't remember whether it's due to contamination or old mine workings, etc.


I'm not sure, but as I'm up at the university, today, I will ask.

Re: Buried chemical waste hazard

PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 5:47 pm
by dazza

Re: Buried chemical waste hazard

PostPosted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 3:49 pm
by RDR


The view from the two university types I spoke to was that officially the university is still surveying the WIG site and no final decision has been taken, however, for research purposes they like the layout of the WIG building as it allows large research teams to work closely together in collaboration, as apparently the era of one man and his dug doing research is long gone.
Don't know how much that adds to the debate....