What's New?
•	August ORS
•	August Journal

Upcoming Events
•	IRPA 12 19-24 October 2008
•	HPS Midyear Meeting Recent Advances in Planning and Response to Radiation Emergencies 31 January - 3 February 2009 San Antonio, Texas
•	54th Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society 12-16 July 2009 Minneapolis, Minnesota

20 July 2008

Answer to Question #368 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Effects — Effects on Materials

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I was wondering if you could answer a little question for me . . . I install video surveillance systems and have been asked to quote a job which involves putting a camera in the same room as the cobalt used for irradiating imported products and sterilizing surgery equipment. I have been warned that once the cobalt is exposed (out of the water tank) it will turn all glass black (e.g., camera lens), rendering the camera useless. Is there any material that cobalt won't affect (e.g., plastics) but that the camera could potentially "see" through?

Thanks in advance.

Our best advice is to suggest that you contact a company that manufactures or sells video surveillance cameras. One that we are familiar with is Thermo Scientific. You may wish to visit the company's Web site.

Genevieve S. Roessler, Editor
HPS Web Site

Answer posted on 28 September 2000. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.