DCHAS-L Archives, Apr 15 2013 - [DCHAS-L] EDTA in cleanup of aqueous radioisotope solution

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Date: April 15, 2013 11:11:04 AM EDT
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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] EDTA in cleanup of aqueous radioisotope solution
Date: April 15, 2013 4:33:58 PM EDT
Author: Buczynski, Michael

From: "Strode, Kyle" <strode**At_Symbol_Here**CARROLL.EDU>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] EDTA in cleanup of aqueous radioisotope solution
Date: April 15, 2013 1:31:49 PM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <81517D60279DA14B9C4EB0E41FBFA68712B0C918**At_Symbol_Here**bluenose.carroll.edu>

Demystify:

I'm teaching a unit on EDTA and its myriad uses in chemistry. I read somewhere about why EDTA is often present in the cleaning solution used to sponge up spills of low-level radioactive aqueous solutions. Two questions:
1) How/why does EDTA enhance the cleanup from a chemical perspective? I'm sure it has to do with the high Kf value for complexation, but I'd love a confirmation.
2) What is done with the contaminated solution after sponging off the area?

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