An AE1 MS7 spark‐source mass spectrometer was decommissioned after 18 years of analytical service. More than 2000 of the 6200 samples analyzed were highly radioactive materials including Cf, Cm, Am, and Pu. A total of about 0.5 Ci(∼1×1012dpm) of &agr; radioactivity was put into the instrument. Many of the samples were contaminated with small amounts of &bgr; and &ggr; emitters. As predicted, most of the radioactivity remained in the source housing and was removed with the source plates and shields. About 1×108dpm migrated to the ion‐source pumping line. Contamination in the magnetic analyzer was about 100 dpm/100 cm2. No activity was detected in the photoplate magazine.
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