[freeperfromnj]

Here's an additional article from ABC 7 News.

Container in Trash Bin Possibly Radioactive

Posted - December 12, 2003 5:00pm

Washington - An office building in downtown Washington was evacuated late Friday afternoon after a box in a trash bin was found to contain radioactive material.

Authorities said the finding was the result of improper disposal of medical waste.

DC Fire and EMS spokesman Alan Etter said the company that manages the building at 2141 K Street NW, Reit Management, was issued a citation for the problem.

He also assured that the low level of radioactivity discovered doesn't pose a danger to the public.

The material was discovered when a witness reported seeing a box labeled "radioactive" in the area, and authorities were guided to a trash bin behind the building. Tests on the bin revealed low levels of radioactivity.

The building houses several medical offices, including a radiology and MRI center, which is assumed to be the source of the bin.

[Cindy]

re post no. 2355: ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Authorities said the finding was the result of improper disposal of medical waste."

THIS ARTICLE IRKS ME TO NO END. Facilities that accumulate medical waste materials (ie hospitals, medical clinics, etc.) and do not properly dispose of these medical wastes --- well, there is just NO excuse! They are advised in many forums (regulations, bulletins, training updates, inspections...) as to how dispose waste. Yep, no excuse at all.