University of Houston

1
University of Houston

• Radioactive Material Safety Annual Refresher
  Training

2
Refresher Training Instructions

• This Refresher Training is a requirement of the
  UH Broad License and replaces the past
  requirement to retake the Radioactive Material
  Safety Short Course every 5 years.
• This Radioactive Material Safety Annual
  Refresher Training must be completed each
  calendar year by all RAM Principal Investigators
  and Authorized Users without exception.
• After reviewing the module you must then
  complete the test. The module and test should
  take about an hour to complete. The test is pass
  or fail with a grade of 80 required.
• Print a hard copy of the test, complete, and
  submit it by UH mail to EHRM 1005. This copy
  will be kept as proof of your completion. The
  Radiation Safety Officer will only notify those
  who do not pass.

3
Radiation Safety Training Requirements

• The Radiation Safety Committee requires all users
  (PIs and AUs )of radioactive material, Class IIIb
  and IV lasers, x-ray machines, and other ionizing
  radiation producing devices requiring
  registration to attend and pass the applicable
  radiation safety short course.
• Three Radiation Safety Short Courses are taught
  at UH RMSSC, XSSC and LSSC.
  
• There is a test with each course which requires
  at least 70 to pass. If you do not pass, you can
  retake the test after additional study.

4
Radiation Safety Training Requirements

• A certificate is issued to all who attend and
  pass.
  
• The three courses are taught at least once a
  semester with notices sent to Principal
  Investigators.
  
• Principal Investigators are also required to
  provide specific training to their Authorized
  Users regarding the safe use of radioisotopes and
  radiation equipment in their labs.
• Online Annual Refresher Training is required.

5
Emergency Telephone Numbers and Information

• EHRM [phone]
• RSO [phone]
• Health Center [phone]
• DPS (Emergency) 911
• DPS (Non-Emergency) [phone]

6
Emergency Telephone Numbers and Information

• RESPONSIBILITY
• Individuals working with radiation must assume
  the responsibility for their own safety and must
  ensure that their actions do not result in a
  hazard to others.
• INCIDENT NOTIFICATION
• In the event of a suspected or know exposure,
  immediately stop work and notify your Principal
  Investigator and the Radiation Safety Officer.
  If it is determined that there is an acute
  localized exposure, medical attention should be
  sought as soon as possible. After working hours,
  on weekends, and on holidays the UH police
  emergency phone number should be called.

7
Emergency Telephone Numbers and Information

• EHRM office hours Monday through Friday, 800
  a.m. - 500 p.m.
  
• For assistance with a radiation emergency or
  incident during normal office hours call EHRM.
  
• In the event of an after hours radiation
  emergency, contact the DPS. EHRM maintains an
  on-call mechanism to provide expertise in the
  event of an after hours situation requiring
  assistance.
• Radioactive material spills and emergency
  information is available in the Radiation Safety
  Manual via the Internet at http//www.uh.edu/plant
  ops/ehrm.
• If you call after normal office hours about a
  non-emergency incident, you may leave pertinent
  information on EHRMs telephone voicemail system.

8
Radiation Safety Program

• Objective
• The objective of the Radiation Safety Program
  is to assist all levels of management in
  fulfilling the commitment at the University of
  Houston to provide a place of employment and
  learning which is as free as possible from
  recognized radiation hazards.
• Safety
• The Radiation Safety Program safeguards the
  health and well being of the University of
  Houston community and the community-at-large from
  the potentially harmful effects of radiation.

9
Radiation Safety Program

• Practice
• This is accomplished by maintaining compliance
  with applicable Federal, State, and University
  regulations and through the establishment of good
  health physics work practices at the University
  of Houston.
• Application
• The Radiation Safety Program applies to all
  persons who purchase, possess, transfer, store,
  use, or handle radioactive material in any
  amount, licensed or unlicensed, and/or radiation
  producing devices, registered or unregistered, at
  the University of Houston.

10
Radiation Safety Program

• Requirements
• The University of Houston requires that all
  users of radioactive material or radiation
  producing devices on the campus receive radiation
  safety training, be approved by the Radiation
  Safety Officer and authorized by the Radiation
  Safety Committee, and comply with applicable
  regulatory requirements in order to ensure that
  all radiation exposure levels are kept As Low As
  Reasonably Achievable.
• Staff
• Radiation Safety is staffed by the Radiation
  Safety Manager/Radiation Safety Officer, two
  Health Physicists, and a Radiation Safety
  Technician.

11
Radioactive Materials Procurement Procedures

• Radioactive Material can only be ordered on a
  Purchase Requisition that goes through Purchasing
  per the University of Houston Manual Of Policies
  and Procedures (MAPP)
• All Purchase Requisitions for radioactive
  material must be approved in advance by Radiation
  Safety

12
Radioactive Materials Procurement Procedures

• Chemical compounds containing uranium or thorium
  are to be considered as radioactive material
  purchases
  
• Free shipments or samples, including
  replacements, must also be approved
  
• Radiation Safety Personnel will verify that
  Principal Investigators are authorized for the
  requested radioisotopes and will not exceed
  maximum possession limits

13
Radioactive Materials Procurement Procedures

• Purchase Requisitions may be brought to
  Environmental Health and Risk Management located
  in the General Services Building, Room 183 faxed
  to 713-743-5859 or mailed to EHRM-1005
• Purchasing will reject orders without Radiation
  Safetys approval
  
• Purchase Requisitions that lack the necessary
  information, are improperly filled out, or
  outside the Principal Investigators
  authorization will be returned

14
Radioactive Materials Procurement Procedures

• Purchase Order information must include
• Radioisotope, e.g. 32P, 14C, etc. (Only one
  radioisotope allowed per Purchase Requisition)
  
• Maximum activity per vial, e.g. 500 microcuries,
  500 uCi, 0.5 mCi, etc.
  
• (not specific activity , e.g. Ci/mmole)
• Compound(s), e.g. DCTP, Thymidine, etc.
• Total number of vials
• Name of the Principal Investigator authorized
  for the order
  
• Directions to deliver shipment to
• Environmental Health and Risk Management
• GEN 183
• 4211 Elgin St.
• Houston, TX. 77204-1005

15
Radioactive Materials Procurement Procedures

• Blanket Orders
• Blanket Orders are approved only for the
  radioisotope, number of vials, and activity as
  indicated on the original Blanket Order
  
• Additional shipments against an expired or
  completed Blanket Order are not allowed
  
• A Purchasing modification or change order must
  be submitted and approved by Radiation Safety to
  extend an existing Blanket Order
  
• It is very important to give the correct
  Purchase Order number to the Vendor

16
Radioactive Material Receipt, Package Check-In,
Inventory Number, Record of Use, Transfer, and
Lab Storage Procedures

• Receipt
• All radioactive material packages must be
  delivered to Environmental Health and Risk
  Management
  
• No radioactive material packages are accepted
  before or after normal business hours on weekends
  or holidays
  

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Radioactive Material Receipt, Package Check-In,
Inventory Number, Record of Use, Transfer, and
Lab Storage Procedures

• Package Check-In
• A package survey and wipe test is performed by
  Radiation Safety within three hours of receipt
  
• This is documented on the Radioisotope Package
  Survey and Wipe Test Radioisotope Tracking Form
  
  
• Radiation Safety delivers the radioactive
  material packages as soon as possible directly to
  the labs
  
• High exposure rate packages may be held for
  partial decay and then delivered.
  

18
Radioactive Material Receipt, Package Check-In,
Inventory Number, Record of Use, Transfer, and
Lab Storage Procedures

• Radiation Safety personnel performing package
  surveys and wipe tests must wear personal
  protective equipment and a radiation badge
  
• Packages are opened in a functional fume hood
  and behind a lead shield as required

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Radioactive Material Receipt, Package Check-In,
Inventory Number, Record of Use, Transfer, and
Lab Storage Procedures

• The check-in procedure is as follows
• The package is visually inspected for any sign of
  damage
  
• The exposure rate at the surface of the package
  is measured
  
• All radioactive packages will be wipe tested on
  the outside surfaces for removable radioactive
  contamination
  
• A wipe test using a cotton swab will be taken
  over an area of 300 square centimeters with an
  action level of 6600 dpm for beta-gamma emitting
  radionuclides and 660 dpm for alpha emitting
  radionuclides
• All wipes will be counted in a liquid
  scintillation counter
  
• If the action level is exceeded, the RSO will
  immediately notify the final delivery carrier and
  the Agency as required
  
• The exposure rate of the empty box and packing
  materials is measured
  
• The exposure rate of each vial container is
  measured
  
• A wipe test of each vial is taken and counted for
  removable contamination
  
• Any radioisotope found to have significant
  contamination may be repackaged and returned to
  the vendor or properly disposed

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Radioactive Material Receipt, Package Check-In,
Inventory Number, Record of Use, Transfer, and
Lab Storage Procedures

• Inventory Number
• Each radioisotope is assigned a specific
  inventory number
  
• This is recorded on the vial, any vial
  container, and the Radioisotope Package Survey
  and Wipe Test Radioisotope Tracking Form
  
• A Radioisotope Logbook is maintained by
  Radiation Safety and a quarterly inventory of all
  radioisotopes is routinely performed.

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Radioactive Material Receipt, Package Check-In,
Inventory Number, Record of Use, Transfer, and
Lab Storage Procedures

• Record of Use
• The recorded use of each radioisotope is
  maintained on the Radioisotope Package Survey and
  Wipe Test Radioisotope Tracking Form
  
• This form must be kept up to date and filled out
  completely
  
• The form must be returned to Radiation Safety at
  EHRM-1005 upon completion of the original stock
  solution.
  
• Upon receipt of the completed form, the
  radioisotope will be deleted from the radioactive
  material inventory.

22
Radioactive Material Receipt, Package Check-In,
Inventory Number, Record of Use, Transfer, and
Lab Storage Procedures

• Transfer
• All transfers of radioactive material between
  PIs or other institutions must be documented and
  approved by Radiation Safety
  
• The Transfer of Radioisotope Form is to be used
  for all transfers
  
• A new Radioisotope Package Survey and Wipe Test
  Radioisotope Tracking Form will be issued for
  the transferred radioisotope

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Radioactive Material Receipt, Package Check-In,
Inventory Number, Record of Use, Transfer, and
Lab Storage Procedures

• Lab Storage
• All radioactive material must be kept in a
  secure area to prevent unauthorized removal
  
• Radioisotopes must be stored behind sufficient
  shielding to reduce radiation exposures to less
  than 2 mR/Hr
  
• Radiation Safety personnel inspect all
  radioactive material labs to insure that
  appropriate safety features are in place and
  proper safety procedures are being followed prior
  to allowing work with radioisotopes

24
Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and Wipe
Test Procedures

• Frequency
• Radioactive Material Principal Investigators
  with active use of radioisotopes are required to
  perform monthly lab surveys and wipe tests on all
  listed labs in which there is use or storage
• Listed labs in which there is no use or storage
  will require documentation as inactive if surveys
  and wipe tests are not performed
  
• All labs, including storage rooms, counting
  rooms, cold rooms, shared rooms, and other rooms
  where radioactive material work or processing is
  performed are included
• Radiation Safety also performs lab surveys and
  wipe tests on a quarterly basis to verify
  compliance

25
Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and Wipe
Test Procedures

• Lab surveys and wipe tests are to be performed
  and due by the 15th of each month, and submitted
  to Radiation Safety at EHRM-1005
  
• Lab surveys and wipe tests received late will
  be cited for noncompliance
  
• It is mandatory that all required lab surveys
  and wipe tests be completed without exception
  each month
  
• Only inactive Radioactive Material Principal
  Investigators without any radioactive material
  are exempt from these procedures
  
• A Radioactive Material Principal Investigator
  may become inactive at any time by notifying
  Radiation Safety and properly disposing of all
  radioisotopes, samples, and waste.

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Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and Wipe
Test Procedures

• Surveys
• A survey with a portable, thin-window detector,
  survey meter must be performed on all labs using
  isotopes other than 3H, 14C and 35S
  
• Wipe tests are preceded by an overall survey in
  order to determine immediate external exposure
  hazards and which areas require greater attention
  in wipe testing
• Before using any survey meter, check for proper
  functioning by checking the batteries
  
• If the batteries are weak, replace them before
  performing the survey
  
• because the readings will not be accurate
• Check the meters response by holding the probe
  close to a radiation source

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Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and Wipe
Test Procedures

• All probes are to be positioned so that the
  window is facing the area to be checked
  
• For the side window probe, the shield must be
  opened when surveying for beta emitter
  contamination
  
• Monitoring for contamination is performed by
  slowly moving the detector over all surfaces at a
  distance of approximately 1 centimeter
  
• The audio should always be on for easy
  detection
  
• Care must be taken not to contaminate the probe
  by touching the area being checked
  
• The survey meter should be turned on before
  entering any radiation area starting with the
  lowest setting

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Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and Wipe
Test Procedures

• Any area found to have an exposure rate of twice
  background or greater with the survey meter is
  considered contaminated
  
• This area must be immediately decontaminated and
  then resurveyed to confirm that the area is below
  twice background
  
• Calibrations of survey meters are performed
  annually through Radiation Safety
  
• A calibration is also required after a repair or
  the replacement of parts (e.g. probe)
  
• Radiation Safety will pick-up the meter and
  provide a loaner meter while yours is being
  calibrated.

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Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and Wipe
Test Procedures

• Wipe Tests
• Cotton swabs or small filter paper discs are
  used for wipe tests and either dry or wet wipe
  tests are acceptable
  
• To perform a wipe test, first wipe the outer
  perimeter of least suspected contamination and
  then move to the center of highest possible
  contaminated last in order to prevent the spread
  of contamination
• Personal protective equipment must be worn when
  performing wipe tests
  
• Wipes are taken at strategic locations around
  the laboratory with typically, 10 to 15 wipes
  taken in a normal use lab
  
• Any area found to have a wipe test count of 200
  dpm per 100 cm2 or greater from a liquid
  scintillation counter or a gamma counter is
  considered contaminated and must be immediately
  decontaminated until the wipe test shows a count
  below 200 dpm.

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Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and Wipe
Test Procedures

• Areas to consider for testing include
• - work benches
• - fume hoods
• - sinks and adjacent areas
• - isotope storage areas
• - refrigerator/freezer surfaces and handles
• - light switches
• - telephone handsets and key pads
• - centrifuge handles and controls
• - incubators

31
Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and Wipe
Test Procedures

• Documentation
• Lab surveys and wipe tests must be recorded on
  the Radioactive Material Laboratory Survey and
  Wipe Test Form
  
• All forms can be found in the Radiation Safety
  Manual located via the Internet at
  http//www.uh.edu/plantops/ehrm
  
• Please use the Radioactive Material Laboratory
  Survey and Wipe Test Form issued by Radiation
  Safety, with the diagram of your lab already
  drawn
• The location of each survey and wipe test must
  be properly identified on the form
  
• Information on the form must be completely
  filled out or it will be sent back

32
Radioactive Materials Laboratory Setup Guidelines

• General
• Radioactive material is to be used only in those
  facilities which have been approved by the
  Radiation Safety Committee
  
• Signage
• Signage for all radioactive materials labs will
  be provided and posted by Radiation Safety
  
• Postings
• Radioactive materials laboratories will be
  posted with copies of the Notice to Employees,
  the Document Location Notification, and the
  Radiation Emergency Procedures provided by
  Radiation Safety.

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Radioactive Materials Laboratory Setup Guidelines

• Restrictive Access
• Access to all radioactive material laboratories
  should be limited to authorized personnel only
  
• Housekeeping or maintenance personnel may be
  allowed into these areas to perform their
  functions under the direct supervision of
  laboratory personnel who can assure their safety
  
• All radioactive material laboratories doors must
  remain shut at all times and the doors must be
  locked if no authorized user is present
  
• Radioactive material must remain secure at all
  times from unauthorized removal

34
Radioactive Materials Laboratory Setup Guidelines

• Survey and Analytical Instrumentation
• A survey meter must be obtained or available for
  users of high energy beta and/or gamma emitting
  radioisotopes
  
• Analytical instrumentation must be available for
  Principal Investigators to perform their required
  wipe tests
  
• Shielding
• Shielding materials shall be made available
  appropriate to the types and levels of radiation
  in all laboratories
  
• High energy beta emitters should be shielded
  with at least 3/8 inches of plexiglass to
  minimize the creation of bremsstrahlung radiation
  
• Work and storage areas must be shielded such
  that the dose rate at one foot does not exceed 2
  mR/hr because exposures must be kept As Low As
  Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).

35
Radioactive Materials Laboratory Setup Guidelines

• Handling Equipment
• Vessels which contain more than 100 microcuries
  of gamma or high energy beta activity should not
  be hand held for more than a few seconds,
  therefore tongs, forceps, or some other remote
  handling tool should be used
• Liquid or loose radioactive material should be
  contained in a secondary unbreakable corrosive
  resistant container.
  
• Fume Hoods
• Experiments that generate aerosols or use
  volatile compounds of radioisotopes must be
  performed in an approved fume hood
  
• All iodinations must be performed in an approved
  fume hood without exception.

36
Radioactive Material Laboratory Safety Guidelines

• Non-essential personnel should not be allowed in
  the laboratory while radioactive procedures are
  in progress
  
• A portion of the laboratory should be set aside
  only for radioactive procedures and located in
  work areas away from heavy traffic and doorways
  
• Work with radioactive material should be done
  rapidly but carefully
  
• Every container containing radioactive material
  should be labeled for identification with the
  radiation warning symbol and pertinent
  information
• Exercise deliberate care in handling radioactive
  material and transport them in shielded
  containers when necessary to protect against
  external radiation exposure

37
Radioactive Material Laboratory Safety Guidelines

• Wear laboratory coats or other protective
  clothing at all times in areas where radioactive
  material is used
  
• Wear disposable gloves at all times while
  handling radioactive material
  
• Do not eat, drink, smoke, apply lip balm, or
  apply cosmetics in any area where radioactive
  material is stored or used
  
• Do not store food, drink, or personal effects
  with radioactive material
  
• Dispose of radioactive waste only in specially
  labeled and properly shielded receptacles
  
• Never pipette by mouth

38
Radioactive Material Laboratory Safety Guidelines

• Absorbent paper shall cover workbenches, trays,
  and other surfaces where radioactive material is
  handled
  
• Monitor hands and clothing for contamination
  after each procedure or before leaving the area
  
• Survey areas where radioactive material is used
  in uncontained form after each procedure and/or
  at the end of the day (Decontaminate immediately
  if necessary)
• Radioactive material in liquid form should be
  stored and transported in double containers
  
• Work should be planned ahead, and whenever
  possible, a practice run should be performed to
  test the procedure

39
Radioactive Material Laboratory Safety Guidelines

• The laboratory should be kept clean and orderly
  at all times
  
• Survey meters should be checked routinely with a
  source of radiation to see if they are responding
  properly and a battery check should be performed
  before each use
• Radiation Badges shall be worn at all times while
  in areas where radioactive material is stored or
  used if assigned
  
• All radioactive material shall be stored in a
  locked room

40
Radiation Spill, Accident, Decontamination, and
Emergency Procedures

• Spill
• Notify all personnel in the room of the spill
• If personnel are contaminated, personnel
  decontamination should proceed immediately using
  proper techniques
  
• Confine the spill as soon as possible
• Notify the Radiation Safety Officer immediately
  of significant personnel contamination or large
  spills
  
• Decontaminate the area using personnel
  protective equipment and proper techniques
  
• Perform surveys and wipe tests to verify that
  the area has been adequately decontaminated
  
• Dispose of all radioactive waste properly

41
Radiation Spill, Accident, Decontamination, and
Emergency Procedures

• Accident
• Accident involving radioactive dust, mist, fume,
  organic vapor, or gas
  
• Notify all personnel to vacate the room
  immediately
  
• Hold breath and vacate the room
• Notify the Radiation Safety Officer at once
• Keep all access doors locked
• Do not re-enter the room until approval of the
  Radiation Safety Officer is obtained

42
Radiation Spill, Accident, Decontamination, and
Emergency Procedures

• Accident involving Personnel Injury
• Call the UH Police at extension 911 if a
  physician is needed or for life threatening
  situation
  
• Proceed with personnel decontamination if
  possible
  
• All radiation accidents (wound, overexposure,
  ingestion, inhalation) must be reported to the
  Radiation Safety Officer as soon as possible
  
• No one involved in a radiation injury will be
  permitted to return to work without the approval
  of the Radiation Safety Officer

43
Radiation Spill, Accident, Decontamination, and
Emergency Procedures

• Decontamination
• Area
• All persons not involved and not contaminated
  should leave the area
  
• Put on lab coat, protective eyeware, gloves and
  shoe covers if available before entering the room
  or area
  
• Prevent liquids from spreading by placing any
  absorbing material over it
  
• Monitor the spill, equipment, and people
  involved to determine the radiation exposure
  levels

44
Radiation Spill, Accident, Decontamination, and
Emergency Procedures

• Wash the area with a minimum of soapy water or a
  standard radioactive decontaminating agent
  
• Using paper towels, start at the furthest end or
  the place of least contamination and move inwards
  toward the highest point of contamination
  
• Dispose of all radioactive waste properly.
• Using a filter paper or cotton swab, wipe the
  area
  
• Count the wipe using a scintillation or gamma
  counter
  
• If the count is greater than 200 dpm, repeat
  area decontamination until the count is below
  this level of contamination

45
Radiation Spill, Accident, Decontamination, and
Emergency Procedures

• Personnel
• For contamination of the skin, use light
  pressure with heavy lather. Wash for 2 minutes,
  3 times
  
• Rinse and monitor and use care not to scratch or
  erode the skin
  
• Use warm not hot water, and avoid reddening the
  skin
  
• Contaminated clothing, including shoes, should
  be removed before the individual leaves the area
  
  
• This clothing shall be labeled and held for
  storage until decayed, decontaminated, or
  properly disposed
  
• Thorough washing, preferably showers, should be
  accomplished immediately where major personnel
  contamination has occurred

46
Radiation Spill, Accident, Decontamination, and
Emergency Procedures

• Monitor personnel after washing. Repeat if
  necessary
  
• Minor cuts should be encouraged to bleed,
  thereby reducing absorption
  
• Treatment of major cuts should be considered
  before decontamination
  
• Emergency
• Emergencies will be dealt with according to
  their nature that may include fire, spill,
  accident, injury, or a combination

47
Radiation Spill, Accident, Decontamination, and
Emergency Procedures

• Notify all personnel in the area
• Contain or secure the radioactive material if
  possible
  
• Take care of injuries and remove injured
  personnel from the area when possible
  
• Notify the Radiation Safety Officer as soon as
  possible
  
• Permission from the Radiation Safety Officer
  must be obtained to continue or return
  
• Apply decontamination procedures when possible
• The Radiation Safety Officer will notify the
  appropriate agencies of any incidents required to
  be reported

48
Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Radiation Safety is responsible for the pickup
  and disposal of all radioactive waste from the
  labs
  
• Radiation Safety personnel must directly handle,
  repackage, and physically dispose of the
  radioactive waste
  
• Radiation Safety will cite radioactive waste
  violations such as sharps found in solid waste
  bags which pose an immediate danger
  
• Poor radioactive waste disposal practices also
  lead to a higher threat of radioactive material
  contamination and spills
  
• Noncompliance items are expected to be corrected
  immediately and then procedures put in place to
  prevent recurrence.

49
Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• PIs are responsible for implementing effective
  radioactive waste management procedures in the
  labs
  
• PIs must provide adequate radioactive material
  labeled receptacles for each radioisotope and
  type of radioactive waste generated
  
• The disposal of all radioactive waste must be
  recorded on the Radioactive Waste Disposal Form
  
  
• Radioactive waste isotopes and activities must
  be recorded accurately and by lab personnel who
  have first hand knowledge of the waste.
  

50
Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Radioactive waste is not to be stockpiled in the
  lab
  
• A radioactive waste area should be located away
  from heavy traffic or constantly used areas
  
• Enough room for shielding should be considered
  and high energy beta and gamma emitters must be
  stored behind the appropriate shielding material.
  
• Plan for containment of liquid waste in the
  event of a spill or failure of the plastic
  carboy.
  
• Do not, place radioactive waste where it might
  be picked up by housekeeping personnel and be
  disposed of as ordinary waste
  
• Accidental or improper radioactive waste
  disposal must be reported immediately to
  Radiation Safety.

51
Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Before requesting a radioactive waste pickup,
  make sure the containers are properly sealed and
  Radioactive Waste Disposal Forms are completely
  filled out and attached
• All requests for radioactive waste pickups will
  be completed online at www.uh.edu/plantops/ehrm
  
• The interactive form will streamline the
  documentation of waste information and provide a
  printable record for you to refer to, if there
  are questions or problems with the waste
• Provide specific information such as PI,
  location, waste type, number of containers, etc.
  and indicate if additional yellow radioactive
  material bags, carboys or sharps containers are
  needed
• Each radioactive waste pickup request is issued
  a reference number
  
• Radioactive waste is picked up on every
  Tuesdays and Fridays unless rained out.
  
• Waste containers that require shielding should
  not be left outside of shields while awaiting
  pickup

52
Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Radioactive waste must be segregated according
  to radioisotope except for Tritium (3H) and
  Carbon-14 (14C) that can be placed in the same
  container.
• Radioactive waste must also be segregated into
  10 basic physical forms
  
• Solid
• - Solid radioactive waste includes work surface
  coverings, gloves, tubing, etc.
  
• - Dispose only in yellow radioactive material
  bags supplied by Radiation Safety
  
• - The yellow radioactive material bags must be
  placed in closed waste receptacles
  
• - Deface or remove all radioactive labels
• - Do not place anything in the bags in such a
  way that may tear it
  
• - Inspect the plastic waste bag for leaks and
  use a second yellow bag to if necessary
  
• - Do not mix liquid scintillation vials, lead
  pigs, and stock vials in with the solid waste
  
• - Plastic source vial containers not lead
  impregnated type may be included

53
Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Glass
• - Contaminated glassware and other unbroken
  glass must be packaged separately from other
  solid radioactive waste
  
• - A strong cardboard box is adequate for
  disposal
  
• - Every box must be securely sealed
• Sharps
• - Sharps include needles, broken glass, glass
  pipettes, razor blades, capillary tubes, etc.
  
• - Dispose in clear puncture resistant plastic
  tubes supplied by Radiation Safety
  
• - These tubes are only for the disposal of RAM
  contaminated sharps
  
• - Do not overfill and make sure that all sharps
  are dry
  
• - When full, securely cap tube with orange/red
  top

54
Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Liquid
• - Radioactive liquid waste can be divided into
  aqueous, acids and bases, and pump oils
  
• - Aqueous liquids are water-based liquids with a
  pH between 5.0-9.0, such as saline and buffer
  solutions or washings from contaminated
  laboratory glassware
• - Dispose in 5 gallons plastic containers called
  carboys supplied by Radiation Safety
  
• - Carboys are not to be filled more than 4/5th
  full
  
• - After emptying lab ware of radioactive liquid,
  the first three rinses of lab ware must also be
  placed in the radioactive liquid waste container
  
• - No radioactive liquid is to be poured down the
  sink
  
• - Sinks will be checked during routine lab
  surveys and wipe tests
  
• - Pipettes and other such items must not be
  placed in the carboys
  
• - All biological material in the carboys must be
  properly deactivated
  
• - Do not mix liquid waste types in the carboys.

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Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• - Double containment of the carboy in a tray or
  pan is recommended against leakage or a spill
  
• - This will also control accidental overflow and
  drips due to pouring
  
• - At a minimum, plastic backed absorbent paper
  shall be placed under all liquid waste containers
  
  
• - Carboys should be kept as free of
  contamination as possible
  
• - Glass containers must never be used for
  storage of radioactive liquid waste unless
  plastic incompatible contaminated acids or bases
  are used

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Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Liquid Scintillation Vials
• - Liquid Scintillation Vials are glass or
  plastic vials containing organic or aqueous based
  liquid scintillation fluid
  
• - Dispose in the original cardboard trays if
  available and place in a yellow radioactive
  material bag
  
• - Loose vials must be double bagged in yellow
  radioactive material bags and placed in a
  cardboard box.
  
• - Check that vial tops are on tight because all
  scintillation fluids will dissolve plastic in
  time.
  

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Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Biological
• - This includes radioactive waste containing
  biological, pathogenic, or infectious material
  including by-product animal waste, labeled
  culture media, etc.
• - Dispose in either yellow radioactive material
  bags supplied by Radiation Safety and labeled
  with biological waste stickers or red biological
  bags labeled with radioactive material stickers
  
• - Liquids must be absorbed into another material
  such as paper towels, sponges, gauze, etc. prior
  to placing into bags
  
• - Pathogenic and infectious waste must be
  sterilized by chemical treatment or autoclaving
  as appropriate
  
• - Autoclaves must be checked for radioactive
  contamination

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Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Animal Remains
• - This covers radioactive animal carcasses and
  by-product waste including viscera, serum, blood,
  excreta, tissue, etc. to be incinerated
  
• - Animal remains containing radioactive material
  are subject to handling according to the
  guidelines stated in the Radiation Safety
  Procedures for the Use of Radioactive Materials
  in Animals
• - Disposed in yellow radioactive material bags
  supplied by Radiation Safety
  
• - Every bag must be securely sealed and have a
  completed Incineration Tag showing the date,
  radioisotope, total activity, and the Principal
  Investigator tied to the bag
• - Liquids must be absorbed into another material
  such as paper towels, sponges, gauze, etc. prior
  to placing into bags

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Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Source Vials
• - These are the original vials that the
  radioactive material came in and includes full,
  partially full, and empty disposed vials
  
• - All source vials must be disposed by Radiation
  Safety, even if decayed
  
• - Radiation Safety will do a final survey on all
  source vials prior to disposal
  
• - Source vials must be kept separate from the
  solid waste and placed in a small cardboard box
  for disposal - A Radioactive Waste Disposal
  Form is not required
• - Segregation by radioisotope does not apply to
  source vials

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Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Lead Pigs
• - These are the original lead and lead
  impregnated shielding containers surrounding the
  source vials
  
• - Lead is a hazardous waste and must be disposed
  accordingly
  
• - Lead pigs and lead impregnated shielding
  containers must be kept separate from the solid
  waste and placed in a small cardboard box for
  disposal
• - A Radioactive Waste Disposal Form is not
  required
  
• - Segregation by radioisotope does not apply to
  lead pigs.

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Radioactive Waste Disposal Procedures

• Sealed Sources
• - Sealed sources include calibration sources,
  check sources, quenched standard sets, electron
  capture gas chromatograph detectors, etc.
  
• - Check for broken or crushed sources and handle
  these damaged sources with extreme care
  
• - Call the Radiation Safety Officer if
  contamination is found or suspected
  
• - All sealed sources must be disposed by
  Radiation Safety, even if decayed
  
• - Radiation Safety will do a final survey and/or
  leak test on all sources prior to disposal
  
• - Sealed sources must be kept separate from the
  solid waste
  
• - A Radioactive Waste Disposal Form is not
  required
  
• - Segregation by radioisotope does not apply to
  sealed sources.

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Personnel Monitoring Procedures and Guidelines

• The Radiation Dosimetry Program is administered
  by Radiation Safety and includes both internal
  and external exposures
  
• Radiation badges are only required to be issued
  to radiation workers likely to receive 1/10 the
  maximum permissible exposure limits
  
• Area badges are also placed in higher exposure
  areas in the labs for monitoring purposes
  
• Radiation badges are issued on a quarterly basis
  and all records are kept by Radiation Safety
  
• The investigation level of the "As Low As
  Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) program is set at
  1/10 the maximum permissible exposure limits

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Personnel Monitoring Procedures and Guidelines

• Radiation workers requiring a radiation badge
  must fill out a Radiation Badge Request Form and
  send it to Radiation Safety at EHRM-1005
  
• A ring badge may be required for personnel who
  routinely handle millicurie amounts of high
  energy beta and gamma-emitting radioactive
  material or who work directly with x-ray
  diffraction units
• A dose assessment is required for lost or
  damaged badges.

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Personnel Monitoring Procedures and Guidelines

• A pregnant radiation worker who wants to work at
  the lower fetal dose is required by law to
  voluntarily declare, in writing, to her employer
  of her pregnancy and give the estimated date of
  conception
• This is accomplished via the Radiation Safety
  Officer at the University of Houston
  
• A monthly fetal film badge will be issued to be
  worn at the waist and the dose will be monitored
  during the entire pregnancy as stipulated in the
  State Radiation Regulations
• A pregnant radiation worker may undeclare the
  declaration, in writing, to her employer any time
  during the pregnancy without explanation again
  via the Radiation Safety Officer

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Personnel Monitoring Procedures and Guidelines

• Occupational Maximum Permissible Exposure Limits
• Whole Body 5 rem/year
• Any individual organ or tissue 50 rem/year
• Eye 15 rem/year
• Skin or extremity 50 rem/year
• Minor (Under 18 years old) 10 of limits
• Individual member of public 0.1 rem/year
• Embryo/Fetus (During pregnancy) 0.5 rem/10
  months

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Personnel Monitoring Procedures and Guidelines

• The radiation badge should always be worn when
  working with radioactive materials
  
• The radiation badges should be kept in a
  location free from radiation when not in use
  
• The radiation badge should never be taken home
  or left in a car
  
• If a badge is lost, damaged or contaminated,
  notify the Radiation Safety Officer immediately
  for a replacement badge
  
• Notify the Radiation Safety Officer if you
  terminate and turn in your badges
  
• The previous radiation badge must be turned in
  promptly when a new badge is issued

67
Personnel Monitoring Procedures and Guidelines

• Wear the badge properly between the neck and
  waist area with the back of the badge facing the
  body
  
• The radiation badge should only be worn by the
  individual whose name is on the badge because it
  is a measure of that individuals personal
  exposure
• The radiation badge in no way provides
  protection from radiation
  
• Its sole purpose is to measure the amount of
  radiation to which it is exposed
  
• Do not experiment with a radiation badge by
  exposing it deliberately to radiation or by
  placing it near radioisotopes or in an x-ray beam
  
• The radiation badge is only for occupational
  exposure measurement

68
Personnel Monitoring Procedures and Guidelines

• Bioassays may be required to measure for
  potential internal exposures
  
• A thyroid scan will be required quarterly for
  all personnel who work with 1 millicurie or
  greater amount of Iodine-125 (125I) at a time
  
• A urinalysis will be required for individuals
  who work with shipments of 100 millicuries or
  greater of Tritium (3H)
  
• Bioassays may also be necessary due to an
  incident resulting in internal deposition from
  accidental inhalation, ingestion, injection, or
  adsorption of a radioisotope.

69
Principles of Radiation Protection

• Sources of Radiation Exposure
• External Source
• Protection Methods
• Time
• Distance
• Shielding
• Contamination Control

70
Principles of Radiation Protection

• TIME
• Minimizing exposure time will reduce dose
• DISTANCE
• Radiation from a point source falls off as the
  inverse square of the distance (Inverse Square
  Law). Increasing distance from a source will
  quickly reduce dose
• SHIELDING
• Stopping or effectively attenuating the radiation
  will eliminate or greatly reduce dose
  
• CONTAMINATION CONTROL
• Preventing contamination stops contact exposure
  and eliminates additional areas for exposure

71
Principles of Radiation Protection

• Internal Source
• Routes of Entry into the Body
• Injection
• Ingestion
• Inhalation
• Absorption through the Skin
• Internal Exposure Control is Essentially a
  Problem of Contamination Control
  

72
Principles of Radiation Protection

• Injection
• Care must be taken to prevent accidental needle
  sticks and broken labware cuts
  
• Ingestion
• Accidental ingestion can occur with poor
  contamination control and failure to properly use
  personal protective equipment
  
• Inhalation
• Be careful when opening a source vial that may
  off gas and use an approved radioisotope fume
  hood if required
  
• Absorption through the Skin
• Skin contact or open skin areas may allow
  absorption and handling free iodine requires
  double gloving to prevent absorption

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80
Radiation Terminology, Quantities and Units

• ALPHA PARTCILE A particle which is identical to
  the helium nucleus consisting of two protons and
  two neutrons. It has a charge of 2 and is the
  least penetrating of the three common types of
  radiation. Usually a hazard only when the alpha
  emitting substance has entered the body.
• BETA PARTICLE A negatively charge particle
  emitted by the nucleus during radioactive decay,
  identical to an electron.
  
• GAMMA RAY Electromagnetic radiation originating
  in the nucleus of an atom as a result of
  transformation occurring within the nucleus.
  
• X-RAY Electromagnetic radiation emitted when
  orbital electrons of an excited atom return to
  their ground or normal state. X-rays are also
  emitted when high speed electrons strike a metal
  target.

81
Radiation Terminology, Quantities and Units

• CURIE A unit of radioactivity corresponding to
  a disintegration rate of 3.7 x 1010
  disintegrations per second.
  
• RAD (RADIATION ABSORBED DOSE) Unit of absorbed
  dose. One RAD is equal to the absorption of 100
  ergs of energy per gram of absorbing material.
  
• REM (ROENTGEN EQUIVALENT MAN) A unit dose of
  any ionizing radiation which produces the same
  biological effect as a unit of absorbed dose of
  x-rays. The dose in REMs is equal to the product
  of the dose in RADs times a quality factor.
• ROENTGEN (RADIATION EXPOSURE) That amount of x
  or gamma radiation which produces, in 1 cubic
  centimeter of air under standard conditions, ions
  carrying 1 electrostatic unit of electrical
  charge of either sign.

82
Radiation Terminology, Quantities and Units

• RADIATION The emission and propagation of
  energy by means of photons or high speed
  particles.
  
• RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL A compound or material
  containing a radioisotope of a certain amount of
  radioactivity that emits radiation.
  
• RADIOACTIVITY The spontaneous decay of an
  excited atomic nucleus usually accompanied by the
  emission of ionizing radiation.
  
• RADIOISOTOPE An unstable isotope of an element
  that decays or disintegrates spontaneously,
  emitting radiation.
  
• SPECIFIC ACTIVITY The activity of a
  radioisotope per unit mass of the sample.

83
Radiation Terminology, Quantities and Units

• PHYSICAL HALF-LIFE The time required for
  one-half the atoms of a particular radioactive
  substance to decay into another substance.
  
• BIOLOGICAL HALF-LIFE Time required for a
  biological system to eliminate one-half of an
  amount of substance that has entered it.
  
• EFFECTIVE HALF-LIFE Time required for a
  radionuclide contained in a biological system to
  reduce its activity by half as a result of
  physical decay and biological elimination.