No. 1 - August 31, 1995

DISPOSING OF RADIOACTIVE
CONTAMINATED ANIMALS

Please follow these simple procedures for disposing of your radioactive-contaminated animals:

(1) All animals, or parts of animals, that have been contaminated with radioactivity must be disposed of by the Department of Radiological Health, NOT the Animal Resource Center.

(2) CALL - If you have radioactive animals to be disposed of call Radiological Health.

They will pick them up from your lab on their regular radioactive waste pick-up day. Just call 581-6141 and be ready to provide the following information:

• a. Your name
• b. Your Responsible User's Name
• c. The room number and building from which the waste is to be picked up
• d. The radionuclide(s)
• e. An estimate of the total quantity of radioactivity in the animal waste
• f. The serial number on the waste tag (read on to find out about the waste tag)

(4) SEGREGATE - Please do not include items such as gloves, gauze, paper, razor blades, scalpel blades or needles with animal wastes. Package those items as regular dry radioactive waste or place them into a sharps container.

(5) INFORM - Please pass this information on to everyone in your research group who may ever need to dispose of contaminated animals. Talk about it in your group meetings. You may post this Note on your bulletin board or make copies as needed.

(6) SUMMARY - Your radioactive-contaminated animal wastes should be picked up by Radiological Health. They should not be taken to the Animal Resource Center.

(7) THANKS - Your cooperation is needed and is appreciated.

J. J. Thompson

8/31/95