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ORLANDO SECTION NEWSLETTER
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Vol. 12, No. 2 American Chemical Society
June 2007
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JUNE PROGRAM
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Date: |
Thursday, June
28, 2007 |
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Where |
Florida Department of Health
2044 All Childrens Way
Orlando,
FL
32818-5269 |
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Time |
7:00 pm |
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Speaker: |
Bureau of
Radiation Control
Bureau of
Radiation Control
Florida
Department of Health |
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Topic: |
"Analyzing
Drinking Water for (Mostly Natural) Radionuclides” |
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Directions
to
the Florida Department of Health:
From the
intersection of
Silver Star Rd
and
Hiawassee Rd,
go west on
Silver Star Rd.
Turn left at the
second left turn lane. Silver Star Christian
Church is on the corner. Follow the road into the
complex and veer right. You will see a park. 2044
is a one story white building behind the park. You
can go either left or right around the park.
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Abstract of the Talk
The EPA specifies certain methods
for analyzing for (mostly natural) radionuclides in drinking water.
For matrices that are not drinking water, performance-based criteria
may be used. In addition, as part of the BRC’s Emergency Response
function, methods need to be available to analyze for the products
of accidents or terrorist acts, including uranium and plutonium in
various sample matrices. Following a brief introduction to radiation
detection technology, methods used in the lab for the determination
of Ra-226, Ra-228, Uranium, and Plutonium in waters and air filters
will be described. The outcomes of a couple of less-successful
efforts will also be described, since failures can also be
informative.
About the Speaker
Allen Moody
ALLEN MOODY obtained his Bachelor’s
in Chemistry from the University of South Florida.
For the past two decades (excluding a year teaching high school in
Polk County) he has been conducting analyses of environmental
samples for toxic contaminants, including arsenic, mercury, and
pesticides. He joined the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of
Radiation Control in 2000, and in addition to his routine duties he
has been working on implementing new analytical methods for both
natural and man-made radionuclides.
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ACS–Orlando Section Activities
Although there have been no Section meetings since February, when
Gary Bokerman spoke, a number of activities have occurred. The
following is a summary of those activities:
Science Café
Recently, the Orlando Section was provided funding by the National
ACS to hold a Science Café. The Science Café program is dedicated
to getting nonscientists interested in science. They are intended
to be held in nontraditional settings, such as cafés or bookstores.
A scientist speaks briefly and then engages the audience in a
question and answer or discussion session.
For our
first Science Café, Dr. James Fenton, director of the Florida Solar
Energy Center, was the featured speaker on Saturday, March 31, at
the Books-a-Million in Merritt Square Mall. He spoke on “Taking
Charge of Our Energy Future.” Approximately 30 people took time out
from their shopping to listen to the talk and ask questions. At the
end of the talk, a drawing was held for a fuel cell powered toy car
and several Books-a-Million gift certificates.
Special
thanks to Dr. Fenton for conducting a lively discussion; to Dr.
Mohamed Elbaccouch for making the arrangements, and to Frank Smith
for driving a remote control fuel cell car around the mall to
attract participants.
Avogadro Award
Again
this year, the Orlando Section solicited support from the other
Sections in Florida to give an award at the State Science and
Engineering Fair. This year’s winner was Melissa Ingram, a student
from Edgewood Jr/Sr High School on Merritt Island. Her project,
“Comparative Compositions and Properties of Fuel Alternatives” won
first place in the senior chemistry category and received our award
of $602.23.
Earth Day
The
Orlando Section celebrated Earth Day at Enchanted Forest, Titusville
on Saturday, April 21. The theme for this year was
“Recycling–Chemistry Can!” Special thanks to Mr. Randy Fowler for
conducting our recycling demo for general public and organizing the
recycling contests.
Chemistry Olympiad
April
28th was National Chemistry Olympiad day. Six students
from Palm Bay High, West Shore High, and Eau Gallie High were
selected to take the National test at UCF campus. Although each of
the students performed creditably, they were not among the 20 chosen
to attend the study camp of the U.S. Air force Academy in Colorado.
However, we would like to congratulate Mr. Paul Draper and his
teacher Mr. Joe Pekich from Palm Bay High for achieving a rank of
HONORS in this Olympiad. Well done!
On
behalf of the American Chemical Society–Orlando Section, we would
like to express our appreciation for excellent work done by teachers
and our ACS volunteers, Dr. Darlene Slattery, Dr. Mike Hampton, and
Dr. Mohamed Elbaccouch during the 2007 Chemistry Olympiad program.
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