Waste and Contamination - Refresher Mark Strausbauch Environmental Health Practitioner (radiation safety specialist) 744-3094 MARCUS JEANNETTE RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER 744-2418 jeannettem@ecu.edu

Using Radioactive Material All rad use must be documented! Use material and record usage on RSO Form 05: “Laboratory Inventory Control”.

Waste Waste must be segregated by: Isotope Physical form (solid, liquid, scintillation vials) For example, if you are working with both C-14 and P-32, you must have a trash container and a jug for both.

Labeling Waste 0907-0149 Must fill this out every time you dispose of waste into the container. P-32 Your Isotope 60 uCi Total Amount 04/12/08 Your Lab’s Name One isotope per container!!!

Waste continued… 744-DUMP Call the Radioactive Waste line: (744-3867) Included in message the type of waste to be picked up.

When finished with RSO Form 05: “Laboratory Inventory Control” return it to the Office of Radiation Safety.

Surveys Surveys are done to determine: Personnel contamination. Surface contamination. A smear test is done to determine if a the surface contamination is fixed or loose. Wipe suspected area with filter paper in systematic way. Wipe 10 x 10 cm= 100 cm2

Contamination What is contamination? Two types Contamination is the presence of radioactivity in an unwanted area/uncontrolled setting. Two types Fixed Non-removable Removable Can be spread

Cleaning a Spill Perform a survey after the spill. Cleaning direction Spill Perform a survey after the spill. Clean contaminated area with a soapy substance or a decontaminating agent such as Count Off, RadCon, etc... Re-survey area after cleaning. An area is considered clean if the counts are less than 3 times the background as a general rule, or non-distinguishable from background (ndb).

What To Do In The Event Of An Emergency You must notify the office of Radiation Safety if: There is a spill involving radioactive material. Injuries occur involving radiation sources. There is a fire involving radiation sources. Radioactive material is lost or stolen. Radiation producing equipment malfunctions or is lost. If a minor spill occurs, you should: Inform all other persons in the area that a spill has occurred. Prevent the spread of the spill by containing it with absorbent material. Dispose of waste material in the radiation waste container. Check yourself to see if you have become contaminated. Report the incident. If a major spill occurs, you should: If the spill is on bare skin, flush the affected area thoroughly with water. If the material is on clothing, remove affected clothing. If possible, close all windows and turn off all air circulating devices. Leave and lock the affected room, but do not wander far.

Safety Rules Never pipette by mouth. No smoking or eating permitted in the work area. Gloves and laboratory coat are required when using radioactive material. Prescribed personnel monitors must be worn. Hands, shoes, and clothing should be frequently monitored. Work with radioactive materials in an approved hood or glove box, unless the safety of working on an open bench can be demonstrated. Radioactive material work should be conducted in an impervious tray or pan, lined with absorbent paper. Utilize shielding and distance whenever possible. Dispose of liquid and solid radioactive waste in the approved containers provided. Refrigerators containing radioactive material shall not be used for storing food. Monitor radioactive material work areas at least once daily for contamination when materials are being used and make notation of this survey in laboratory records. Thoroughly wash hands after manipulating radioactive material, before eating or smoking, and on completion of work. Maintain records of receipts, use, transfer and disposal of radioactive materials. Report accidental inhalations, ingestion, injury, or spills to your supervisor and the Radiation Safety Office. Review pertinent safety practices frequently, especially before using a new radionuclide. Assure compliance with the East Carolina Radiation Safety Manual, North Carolina Regulations for Protection Against Radiation, and Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20.

General tips for lab work Always understand what you are working with and what safety precautions are necessary before starting. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us. Survey before and after experiments using radioactivity. Wear nitrile gloves. Nitrile is more chemical resistant than latex and it “shreds” instead of getting pinholes like latex does. No sharps in the solid waste containers. If there is a spill tell your P.I. and contact us immediately. We are here to help you work with radiation safely, not to get anyone in “trouble”.

Additional Information Refer to ECU’s Radiation Safety Manual Website: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/prospectivehealth/radiation.cfm

Questions???