Disposal Procedures Management of Radioactive Waste

Decay Dilution Landfill Waste Handling

Decay Considerations –Half-life –Energy/ Shielding –Storage/decay space

Gaseous Waste Fumes Gases Dusts Vapors Release Limit is Set for each isotope by CNSC See Table 5 in the Manual for details

Liquid Waste Aqueous Organic – includes ALL scintillation cocktails Aqueous Organic Biodegradable

Waste Disposal – Liquid Maximum allowable activity Tritium370 kBq/l Carbon-1437 kBq/l Sulphur kBq/l Phosphorous kBq/l Phosphorous kBq/l Chromium kBq/l Iodine kBq/l

Liquid Waste Decay P-32, S-35 etc Drains Red Plastic Solvent Containers Fume Hood (small amounts)

Red Solvent Waste Container How much C-14 is allowed in one container? R.L. x Volume=Activity limit per container 37 kBq/l x 5 litres= 185 kBq C-14 Release Limit =37 kBq/l Container volume = 5 litres

185kBq/5 liters = (185,000 dps/5 l) x (60s/1min) = 11,100,000 dpminute/5 100% effic = 11,100,000 cpm allowed in 5 liters (5000ml) Count 1 ml = 2220 counts is allowed.

- Separate scintillation cocktails used with different isotopes. e.g. H-3, P-32 - Count a sample of your scintillation waste periodically. - Separate ‘hot’ cocktail samples if limits for disposal are approached.

Dilution – Not Recommended How to dispose 46 MBq of C-14 in non- toxic wash water? C-14 Release Limit = 37 kBq/l Activity = 46 MBq Water flow = 10 litres/min Activity / RL = # of litres required 46MBq / MBq/l =1243 litres Litres / Water flow = Dilution time required 1243 litres / 10 litres/min = min

Water IN Water OUT Hot solution Diluted waste Contact HSE before considering using this method to dispose of waste…

Solid Waste – Low Activity Decay Landfill Follow release limit AND 2.5  Sv/h at the surface

WASTE Disposal - Solid Tritium3700 kBq/kg Carbon kBq/kg Sulphur kBq/kg Phosphorous kBq/kg Phosphorous-3337 kBq/kg Chromium kBq/kg Iodine kBq/kg And less than 2.5  Sv/hr at the surface

Timed Disposal Decay time for 9.25 MBq of P-32 in 1.0 kg? N f N o ln x T 1/2 = T T 1/2 =14.3 days No=No= Nf=Nf=Thus T=

As waste is generated, deface all radiation warning labels and place into lined radioactive waste container - Lid and Label SOLID WASTE – Low Activity (TABLE 5 in Manual) When full - complete and attach Low Activity Waste (LAW) label and place bag in decay storage area - note disposal date on calendar

REMOVE THIS SHEET ON DISPOSAL DATE AND SAVE WITH YOUR RECORDS. COMPLETE YOUR ANNUAL INVENTORY WITH DISPOSAL INFORMATION RADIOISOTOPE : ________ Activity to decay ______MBq (FROM YOUR RADIOISOTOPE DATASHEET) Survey meter reading at surface of box ____ uSv/hr Caution Radioactive Material Low Activity Waste for Decay Permit Holder(PI)/Lab ________________ Waste Generator Name _______________ Lab Contact Phone # _______________ Box #___ Initial Date _____________ Disposal Date _____________ Actual Date of Disposal ____________ Disposed by _____________________

-Solid materials: vials; pipet tips; centrifuge tubes; gloves; paper BUT… Please minimize your solid waste being held for decay or material requiring shipment for disposal. Website: Useful tips : Maximum activity levels for immediate disposal

*When Disposal date arrives check that waste is less than the defined Release limit and less than 2.5  Sv/hr (0.25 mR/hr) at the surface. *Enter disposal info on inventory sheet **Contact HSE for disposal of Radioactive Wastes**

Radioactive Biohazardous Materials Disposal Treat with phenol based biocide Double bag – calculate storage time and attach Low Activity Waste (LAW) sheet Store in freezer and test Tag as biohazard with red tags Notify HSE Remove LAW sheet

High Activity Waste Long-lived high activity New paint can –Cloverdale paint –Home Hardware Stock solution vials Pipette tips Contaminated solids

15. Radiation Emergency Response IMMEDIATELY notify HSE in the event of any accidental radioisotope release, spill of material or personal contamination. Contact security for immediate HSE response or Lab Practical Session: *management of small scale spills.

18. Security of Radioactive Material Doors shall be closed and locked when lab is unoccupied. Only authorized/trained personnel are permitted access to radioactive material/sources: –secondary locked containers as needed

Missing/damaged/incorrect shipments must be IMMEDIATELY reported to HSE. Missing/stolen/misplaced material must be IMMEDIATELY reported to HSE. Challenge strangers. Keys???

Professionalism Choices Integrity Isotopes and Personal Responsibility

Responsibilities of Licence Holders Ensure conditions stated in the licence are fulfilled and safe laboratory practices are followed as per posted signs Ensure staff and students using radioactive materials have been authorized to use these radioactive materials.

Responsibilities of Licence Holders Ensure staff have received adequate radiation protection training* and have been informed of the risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation. *provision of specific training in radioisotope handling in their laboratories.* 5 yr training competency requirement.

Responsibilities of Licence Holders Ensure that if required, staff have been issued, and wear, a thermoluminescent dosimeter and participate in bioassay programs. Designate specific work and storage areas for radioactive materials –clean, properly labelled, adequate ventilation, adequately shielded.

Responsibilities of Licence Holders Maintaining inventories of all purchases, storage, disposal. Maintaining all area monitoring and/or wipe test records. Reporting all radiation incidents to HSE.

Responsibilities of Radioisotope Users Every person…shall… – take all reasonable and necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and the safety of fellow workers. –strictly adhere to all policies and procedures defined by the CNSC regulations, WCB Regulations and the University Safety Policy as described in this Manual.

Maryland hits Johns Hopkins with $370,000 fine For violations of state law relating to use of ionizing radiation and handling of radioactive materials. Failure to secure radioactive materials from unauthorised access Beverages taken into laboratories Failure to keep radiation measurement equipment in calibration Failure to label radioactive waste Failure to conduct surveys for removable contamination Sound Familiar?

Goiania, Brazil

Goiania Clinic

- There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states That this has already happened. D.Adams

Review Questions? What is the underlying principle behind handling Low Activity Wastes? How should radioactive biological materials be rendered biologically inactive? If the specific activity waste limits are met, what else must be met prior to disposal?

Next day Lab portion 1: Sci pm –Appropriate lab attire –Lab coat & safety glasses Final Exam: 2-4 pm Sci 3337 –17 M/C –27 T/F –20 fill in blanks / short answer –Bring: Scientific Calculator