Transcript Radiation Safety Short Course

2007 Annual Update Training
Basics Module
Policies and Procedures for the
use of radioisotopes at
Georgia State University
Responsibilities of the Isotope User
Each individual working with unsealed
radioactive material, sealed sources or
radiation-producing machines shall:
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Understand and implement the appropriate radiation safety
precautions for the specific radioactive nuclide(s) being used.
Conduct operations so as to minimize exposure (internal and
external) to all personnel in the laboratory.
Wear a personnel monitor as directed in this manual and make the
monitor available for scheduled exchanges.
Periodically survey his/her hands, feet and clothing, and the work
area for contamination.
Periodically survey around storage and waste areas.
GSU license
Georgia State University has a license with the
State of Georgia to use radioisotopes
The license number is:
GA-244-1
Expiration: April 2009
Ordering Radioactive Materials
Before any Manufacturer, University or
Vender can legally ship any radioactive
materials to GSU, they must have an upto-date copy of our license. This can be
faxed or E-Mailed to the isotope provider.
Ordering the Package
To order an isotope:
- Check the PI’s license and inventory to
assure that he/she is approved
- Contact either a central departmental
ordering person or the isotope provider to
place the order.
Ordering the Package
-
When placing the order, be sure the
delivery address is:
Peter Farina/RSO
NSC Stockroom/Rm 262
50 Decatur St
Atlanta, Ga 30303
Attn: (PI’s Name)
Receiving the isotope
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The Radiation Safety Officer or designated delivery
person is prohibited from delivering a processed package
containing radioactive materials unless there is an
authorized person (Principle Investigator, Alternate
Principle Investigator, or Radiation Worker) at the location
who will accept it, sign for its receipt, and secure the
radioactive materials.
If the delivery person cannot find an authorized person to
receive the shipment, the package will stored in the
Radiation Safety Office or with a principle investigator
who is both authorized to have the activity of material and
has the appropriate storage facilities (ie. Ultra-cold
freezer, lead cave, etc.).
Radioactive materials are not to be left unsecured at any
time.
Receiving the isotope
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Once received by the Radiation Safety Officer, the
RSO will check the package for contamination, add
the shipment to the records and deliver the shipment
to the licensed laboratory.
•When the laboratory receives
the package:
–File the paperwork inside
–Take the filled in yellow tape
and put it on the door of the
storage area where the stock
vial is to be stored
Occupational Dose Limits for
Radiation Workers
Source of Radiation
Whole Body Dose is not to exceed 5
rem/ yr
Occupational Exposure Limit to
the Extremities
The Dose Limit to the
Extremities may not
exceed 50
rem / yr
Occupational Dose to the
Lens of the Eye
Dose must not exceed 15
rem/ yr
Occupational Dose Limit for Declared
Pregnant Mothers and Occupational Minors
Dose must not exceed 0.5 rem or 500 mrem during
the gestation period for declared pregnant mothers.
Occupational minors must not exceed this dose in a year
long period
Annual Limit of Intake (ALI)
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This is the activity that
Isotope
will give an annual
dose of 5 Rem
3H
through either
inhalation or
14C
ingestion.
32P
ALI
Ingestion
(mCi)
ALI
Inhalation
(mCi)
80
80
20
20
0.6
0.4
35S
6
2
125I
0.1
0.2
203Hg
0.5
0.8
Radiation Risk in Perspective
Health Physics Society Position Statement (March 1996):
• Radiogenic health effects (Primarily cancer) are
observed in humans only at doses in excess of 10 rem
delivered at high dose rates.
• Below this dose, estimation of adverse health effects is
speculative since risk of health effects are either too
small to be observed or are non-existent.
• Epidemiological studies have not demonstrated adverse
health effects in individuals exposed to small doses
(less than 10 rem) delivered in a period of many years
Radiation Dose in Perspective
•
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Health effects are seen only when dose
exceeds 50 rem and at a high dose rate
Occupational radiation doses are
monitored and limited to 5 rem
For > 95% of the Radiation Users at GSU,
doses are equivalent to background
Safe Handling Techniques
NO EATING, DRINKING
OR SMOKING IN
LICENSED ISOTOPE
LABORATORIES!!!!!!!!!
Personnel Protective Equipment
(PPE)
NO SHORTS, SHORT
SKIRTS OR OPEN-TOED
SHOES (SANDELS, ETC)
WHEN WORKING WITH
RADIOISOTOPES
Using the isotope
When using the isotope, remember to:
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Wear proper personal protective equipment
 Wear your dosimeter
 Use shielding
 Have your technique practiced and perfected using nonradioactive materials prior to the use of radioisotopes
 Keep all food and drinks out of the laboratory
 Survey for contamination approximately every 10
minutes throughout the procedure
The Contamination Survey
Perform a quick GM
counter survey at least
every 10 minutes
during a procedure. You
should check:
 Gloves
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work surface
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Instruments handled
Final Contamination Survey
Perform a thorough GM counter survey immediately
upon finishing a procedure. You should check:
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Gloves
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work surface
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Instruments handles
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the floor around the work area
Final Contamination Survey (cont.)
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Regular trash
containers
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Radioactive waste
container lids
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anything that was
touched during the
procedure
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personal items (phone,
notebook, pens, etc.)
Waste Management
Laboratory
Waste Streams
Dry Solid
Radioactive
Waste
Aq. Liquid
Radioactive
Waste
Liq. Scint. Vials
Radioactive
Waste
Chem Nuclear
Barnwell, S.C.
GTS Duratek
Kingston, TN
Perma Fix
Gainesville, FL
The End
If you have any questions, please contact
the Radiation Safety Office at 1-4318
Thank you