Radiation Safety Program: Regulations and Practical Considerations for Safe Use of Radioactivity Radiation Safety Office ETAS Graduate Institute of Technology, UALR University of Arkansas at Little Rock

What is Radiation? Invisible energy waves or particles The radioactivity is the property of some atoms to spontaneously give off energy as particles or rays. The atoms that make up the radioactive materials are the source of radiation. What is Radioactivity?

Ionizing and Non-ionizing radiation? Radiation carries a range of energy forming an electromagnetic spectrum. Radiation that does not have enough energy to break chemical bonds but can vibrate atom is referred to as “Non-ionizing Radiations” e.g. radiowaves, microwaves, infrared, visible light etc. Radiation that has enough energy to break chemical bonds is referred to as 'ionizing radiation, e.g. alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays etc.

Sources of Ionizing Radiation Naturally Occurring Consumer Products Foods and Containers Medical Procedures Nuclear Plants Radiological Sites Government & Industry

Ionizing Radiation

How to know if there is a radiation source or radiation area- Symbols?

“CAUTION RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS" "CAUTION RADIATION AREA"

Radiation Package Symbols

Regulation of Radiation Usage Regulatory Authority Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): 10 CFR PART 20: STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST RADIATION (Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy reorganization Act of 1974, as amended) Purpose: Control the receipt, possession, use, transfer, and disposal of licensed material by any licensee in such a manner that the total dose to an individual (including doses resulting from licensed and unlicensed radioactive material and from radiation sources other than background radiation) does not exceed the standards for protection against radiation EPA, DoE, DoT, OSHA

Agreement State Arkansas Department of Health Radiation Control and Emergency Management 4815 W. Markham St., Slot H-30 Little Rock, AR Phone: State licensing authority - Makes policies and procedures to regulates safe use of ionizing radiation within the state - guides its licensees to implement state policies - performs inspections, audits Regulatory Authority

Radiation Protection Procedures External Radiation Protection Internal Radiation Protection Survey Procedures or Monitoring Radiation Spills Waste Disposal Guidelines

Units of Radiation Exposure Roentgen (R) The roentgen is a unit used to measure a quantity called exposure. This can only be used to describe an amount of gamma and X-rays, and only in air. One roentgen is equal to depositing in dry air enough energy to cause 2.58E-4 coulombs per kg. Rad (radiation absorbed dose) The rad is a unit used to measure a quantity called absorbed dose. This relates to the amount of energy actually absorbed in some material, and is used for any type of radiation and any material. One rad is defined as the absorption of 100 ergs per gram of material. The unit rad can be used for any type of radiation, but it does not describe the biological effects of the different radiations. Rem (roentgen equivalent man) The rem is a unit used to derive a quantity called equivalent dose. This relates the absorbed dose in human tissue to the effective biological damage of the radiation. Not all radiation has the same biological effect, even for the same amount of absorbed dose. Equivalent dose is often expressed in terms of thousandths of a rem, or mrem. To determine equivalent dose (rem), you multiply absorbed dose (rad) by a quality factor (Q) that is unique to the type of incident radiation.

Radiation protection standards Dose Category Adult Occupational Dose Limit Total Effective Dose 5 rem/year* Equivalent (TEDE) Total Organ Dose 50 rem/year to any individual Equivalent (TODE) organ or tissue except the lens of the eye* Eye Dose Equivalent 15 rem/year* Shallow Dose Equivalent 50 rem/year* Embryo/Fetus Dose 0.5 rem for the entire gestation period *Occupational dose limit for minors is 10% of the adult limit 105 CMR establishes radiation dose limits for occupationally exposed adults. These limits apply to the sum of the dose received from external exposure and the dose from internally deposited radioactive material.

Radiation Dose Limit ALARA is an acronym meaning As Low As Reasonably Achievable. It is a requirement of the agreement state (ADH) that all facilities possessing radioactive materials licenses to have a formal ALARA program. It is the policy of University of Arkansas at Little Rock to keep this exposure as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). A-L-A-R-A

General Handling Precautions Protective Clothing: lab coats, gloves, masks, eye protection, sealing tapes etc The Work Place Designate Clean area, Hood, Absorbent paper, drip trays, locks, no food items Manipulations of Radioactive Materials plan ahead, pippetting, use minimum amounts, sealing tubes, reduce volatilization, proper monitoring, shielding, dosimeter, public perception

External Radiation Protection: The Three Basic Rules Time: Dose = Dose Rate x Time Distance:The Inverse Square Law ER2 = ER2 x (D1/D2)^2 Shielding:Radiation Energy Shield Density Shield Thickness Bremsstrahlung HVL & TVL Concerns

Generally exchanged quarterly or even monthly Workers using gamma or high energy beta emitters need a whole body badge Workers using > 10 mCi of gamma or beta emitters need a ring badge Only wear while working Do not wear for personal medical procedures Exchange in a timely manner Store away from radiation area when not in use Radiation Badges

Internal Radiation Protection Mode of Entry into Body Inhalation Ingestion Absorption Injection

Internal Radiation Protection Routes of Intake, Transfers and Excretion

Tissue Damage and Health Effects Breakage of Chemical Bonds Formation of New Chemical Bonds or Cross linkages Damage to Macromolecules (DNA, RNA, Protein etc. Production of Free Radicals Overexposure may cause deformity, cancer etc.

Radiation Safety Officer can only dispose of radiation waste Proper disposal - a key to protecting public health and environment Different types of wastes- Solid, liquid, Scintillation vials Contamination with biohazard materials Short Half Life (decayed in storage facility) Long Half Life (disposed of by professional companies) Seal Sources (disposed of by professional companies or returned to the manufacturer) Radioactive Waste Disposal Disposal: a complex issue

Precautions on Waste Disposal Waste Minimization minimize radioactivity use, alternative techniques, dispose only contaminated, rinsing liquid waste Segregation by Half-Life 15 days(P-32) days (S-35, Cr-51, I-125) >90 days (H-3, C-14, Ca-45) Prohibited Items defacing, hazardous materials, sharps, lead pigs/shielding, gels, non-compatible liquids

Precautions for Radioactive Spills Major Spills decontamination by qualified personnel (RSO or team members) Minor Spills may be supervised by PI Key to Success containment, notification, evacuation, corrective action, monitoring

Precautions on Dosimetry Film Badges photographic film, do not expose to light, TLD Ring small crystal that absorbs energy and emits light when heated, so do not expose to heat, used for gamma or millicuries of high energy beta Precautions always use in radiation area, keep away from radiation area when not using, do not exchange occupational record

Individuals Requiring Radiation Safety Training Three general categories of UALR employees with respect to their exposure to radiation: Radiation Workers: Those workers whose major responsibilities involve working with sources of ionizing radiation or radioactive material. Ancillary Workers: All personnel who may come in contact with or enter an area that contains radioactive material or sources of ionizing radiation e.g. janitorial staff. Non-Radiation Workers: personnel who would not normally be expected to encounter radioactive material or radiation sources in the course of their employment at UALR. This group does not require radiation training.

Radiation Safety Officer Assistant Radiation Safety Officer After Hours: Public Safety Also check “NRC Notice to Employees” posted in the radiation use and storage areas Emergency Contacts

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