Tulsa school plans cleanup after radioactive chemical spill

TULSA — A cleanup plan is being established after the University of Tulsa discovered that a small, radioactive chemical spill occurred on its North Campus last year.

The school learned last week of the teaspoon-sized spill of a mixture containing about 1 milligram of radioactive isotope cesium-137.

Researchers were using the cesium in multiphase flow loops, which simulate what happens when oil is pulled out of the ground, as part of a joint industry project managed by the university's research office.

The Tulsa World reports that the spill stemmed from a piece of equipment from oil and gas company Tracerco. The company found a problem with the equipment after a May inspection and learned Aug. 21 that it was used at the campus, where low levels of radiation were discovered.

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