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Barnesite Avaiable In Small Quantity

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Posted by Scott MacDonald on April 26, 2001 21:35:24 UTC

Hello.

We no longer use optical polishing compounds and I have a partial container of Barnesite #179 (perhaps 5 to 10 pounds or more) originally from Trojan Optical Abrasives, Buena Park, CA. This supply is likely 20 or more years old.

I have read information posted here about Barnesite. I have discovered additional information about Barnesite: it contains Vanadium -- and natural vanadium is slightly radioactive. I do not know if this Barnesite is an alpha emitter. Barnesite is apparently not a mix of cerrium and thorium oxide, as posted 1-25-01 by Stephen Campbell.

In a related matter, I also learned that Cerium is not radioactive (as in Cerium Oxide), however, commercial grades of this material may be contaminated with Thorium, which is radioactive.

As with any finely divided material, do not inhale the dust.

Our Barnesite is surplus and I can arrange for its donation to an astronomy club, for example.

It is available to you if you provide a written request for the material and arrange pick-up or shipping.

Thanks for your interest.

R. Scott MacDonald
EH&S Specialist
Northrop Grumman GCS
Goleta, California
macdonas@littongcs.com

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