No. 6 - February 28, 1997

1. Protective Clothing and Equipment for Handling Radioactive Material

During a recent internal audit it was observed that individuals in several laboratories were handling dispersible radioactive material, but were not wearing lab coats. In view of that, all lab workers are urged to review the laboratory safety procedures contained in RPR-11, Radioisotope Laboratory Safety Procedures. Wearing disposable gloves, lab coats, and other protective clothing is important for preventing skin or clothing contamination or intake of radioactive material. It is also important that eye protection be worn to prevent eye contamination, not only from radioactivity, but also from other potentially harmful chemicals or biological materials.

Lab workers must always remove potentially contaminated disposable gloves before touching or handling any items which should remain clean. Failure to do so is a primary cause of contamination of drawer handles, door knobs, refrigerator handles, computer keyboards, liquid scintillation counters, telephones, lab notebooks, etc. For the same reason, lab coats and gloves should never be worn to the breakroom, cafeteria, library, classrooms or home.

2. Controlling the Radioactive Waste Containers in Your Laboratory

One of the most common reportable incidents is loss of radioactive material from laboratory waste containers. The story is usually the same: Workers discover one day that their radioactive waste container had been emptied and they hadn't requested a pickup. It is usually assumed that the janitor did it, unintentionally, of course. A search is made of the dumpsters and janitors are questioned, but usually by this time the package is irretrievably buried at the landfill. Thus a report to the NRC or state must be made and the institution is embarrassed, cited, or both. Sound familiar? Maybe it's already happened in your lab.

This is a not a rare occurrence and we cannot afford to assume that these things just happen. There are some simple steps that everyone can take to help prevent these occurrences:

(1) Make certain that your radioactive waste containers are clearly labeled as radioactive waste. The labels that I recommend are large (3" x 8"), bright yellow, and say "Caution, RADIOACTIVE WASTE, do not empty." If you need any of these labels just ask your analyst, or give our office a call and we'll send you as many as you need.

(2) Make sure that the label is positioned on the container so it doesn't get covered when you turn down the plastic bag on the outside of the container.

(3) Make sure the label is always plainly visible from the lab. In other words, never set the container so the label faces the wall. Even better, also label the opposite side of the container.

(4) Place your radioactive waste container in a distinctly different location in the lab from ordinary trash containers, preferably close to the location where radioactive materials are used.

(5) If you are available during the hours when the janitors are making their rounds, take some time to visit with them and explain what you expect them to handle and what things they should not. It will be time well spent, they will appreciate it, and you will probably get better service.

3. Survey Equipment for Radioactivity Before Taking it Out of the Lab

Occasionally we have discovered used lab equipment in University Surplus and Salvage that is internally contaminated. This sometimes occurs with lab refrigerators and freezers, especially those that have been used to store tritium labeled compounds and samples. It can also occur with centrifuges and other equipment which are used for processing radioactive samples. This is a reminder that RU's are responsible for assuring that their equipment get a thorough survey for radioactive contamination before it leaves the lab. This is equally true if the equipment is going to a repair shop, back to the manufacturer, is being transferred to another lab, being shipped to another university, or even going to the landfill. It would be a violation of our license to permit radioactivity to leave our control, even accidentally. I strongly recommend that if your lab needs to remove any potentially contaminated equipment from your lab contact your Radiation Analyst first for a special survey of the item. As a related matter, if you are going to remove a liquid scintillation counter or a gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector (ECD), then the radioactive source in it must be removed or properly transferred before the equipment can be released. Your Radiation Analyst will be happy to handle this for you if you ask.

4. Responsibility for Control of Radionuclides

RU's are responsible for inventory and authorized use of all radionuclides they purchase, or allow to be purchased in their name. RPR 13, Radioisotope Acquisition and Disposition is a good document for RUs to review for the details. Specifically these responsibilities include:

(1) Maintain an inventory of all radionuclides received under your authorization.

(2) Ensure the radionuclides are used only in your radioactive materials laboratory.

(3) Ensure the person(s) using the radioactivity are authorized. At a minimum, they must have completed the University's Radiation Safety Training and be registered with this department. If they are new and have not yet met this requirement, make sure they work only under the direct supervision of an authorized user.

(4) Ensure that Radioisotope Disposition Records (RPR 13C) are completed and submitted to this office for all radionuclides consumed in your work, or disposed of as waste, or transferred to another authorized user. Without an RPR 13C the isotope will stay on your inventory.

(5) Ensure that proper procedures are followed for transporting any radioactive materials by vehicle or for shipping any radioactive materials off campus. These procedures are outlined in RPR 14, Shipment of Small Quantities of Radioisotopes, or RPR 55, Radioactive Material Transport. Failure to follow these procedures risks severe penalties from the Department of Transportation in the event of mishap. If you need to ship any quantity of radioactive material check with your Radiation Analyst before making the shipment.

5.  Another Gentle Reminder Concerning Food and Beverages in the Labs

This is still going on. I won't repeat the message except to remind all RU's that they are responsible for enforcing safety rules in their labs. If you missed my previous comments on this topic (RSO's Notes No. 3 dated June 24, 1996), please call my office and request a copy.

J. J. Thompson

2/28/97