The Office of Environmental Health and Safety serves to oversee and facilitate the use of radiological machines and material for research and education, ensuring regulation and safety compliances. We provide support for the use of radioactive materials and other sources of radiation at UAH. The purpose of the Radiation Safety program is to minimize occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations. For questions regarding radiation safety at UAH, please contact the Environmental Compliance Program Manager.

Radiation Badge Information

For information on radiation badges and questions regarding the Radiation Safety program at UAH, contact the Environmental Compliance Program Manager.

Radioactive Materials

Under this section individuals can find information relating to the purchase, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials. A detailed procedure is found in Procedures for the Purchase of Any Item Containing Radioactive Materials.

Applications

All individuals who wish to use ionizing radiation sources at UAH must complete and submit Form RSO-12A for radioisotopes applicants. For X-ray applicants, Form RSO-12B needs to be filled out and and submitted. All applications will be reviewed by the RSO via KualiBuild

  • An Authorized User is primarily responsible for the safe use of all sources under their control and the implementation of all required radiation safe procedures applicable to their use.
  • Authorized Users are required to submit a new application if a different procedure or use of ionizing radiation source that is different than what was previously specified in original application.

Procurement

To order radioisotopes, procurement forms need to be filled out and signed by the Authorized User before being submitted to the RSO or RCT for approval. If approved, the original form will be sent to purchasing while the Authorized User and RSO keep a copy for their records. Further instructions on how to order radioisotopes may be viewed under Procedure RSO-14 in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide.

  • The use of the "Requisition of Radioisotopes" is not superseded by the UAH online requisition system, individuals must still submit this form to the RSO or RCT.
  • All requisitions must include the sub-code for the isotope. It is a direct violation if there is no sub-code for the isotope.
  • When purchasing isotopes, As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) must be taken into consideration.
  • Authorized Users must be able to explain expected amount of an isotope and why an isotopes activity level is required. Calculations and prevention measures are to be included in the specification.
  • Exceptions can be made to the RSO.

Inventory

All users of radioactive materials are required to maintain an up to date records of all usage, disposal and transfer. Authorized Users are to keep a logbook of all unsealed radioisotopes. A sample of a logbook inventory sheet can be found in Appendix E  in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide.

  • At the end of each school quarter, the RCT and Authorized User will conduct an unsealed source inventory outlined in Procedure RSO-13 in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide.

Receipt

Purchasing must label all Radioisotope P.O.'s to alert receiving. When receiving gets the package, the RCT or RSO will be called to inspect the package per Procedure RSO-2 in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide.

  • Acceptable contamination and radiation limits for packages are less than or equal to 100 cpm alpha, beta, gamma and less than or equal to 200 mr/hr on contact 10 mr/hr at three feet.
  • The RCT will note the storage location and permanently label the source container with P.O. number, isotope, quantity and date. A sample of the receipt form can be found in Appendix G.

Transfer

On-Campus Transfers

All transfers of radioactive materials must be approved by the RSO and to be performed in accordance with Procedure RSO-3 in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide. Authorized Users interested in transferring radioisotopes on or off campus need to fill out Form RSO-3 and submit it to the RSO.

  • The transferee must be duly authorized by the RSO or Radiation Committee to receive the type and quantity of radioactive materials being transferred.
  • The transferee must have available facilities and equipment necessary to safely use and store the material.

Off-Campus Transfers

  • A copy of the receiving facility's Radioactive Material License or permit indicating the individual or facility Is authorized to possess the type and quantity of material being transferred must be kept on file in the Radiation Safety Office.

Disposal

Labs which produce radioactive waste are to place the waste in specific receptacles provided by the RSO. Containers are to be clearly labeled indicating the form of waste: Dry Solid Waste, Contaminated Liquids, and Liquid Scintillation Vials. A disposal form should be kept either attached or nearby, accurately indicating what waste is being added.

Contaminated Liquids

  • Segregate aqueous liquids, organic solvents and liquid waste which contain isotopes with half lives of 60 days or less, by disposing of each in the appropriately labeled laboratory container. Isotopes should be separated from each other depending on their half life.
  • Residual contamination after the rinsing of glassware is to be poured down the sink along with a copious water flush.

Liquid Scintillation Vials

  • Whole vials containing the cocktail solution are to be dropped into the 30 or 35 gallon long-term storage container labeled "Liquid Scintillation Vial Only". This is currently located in Science Building room 251.

Dry Solid Waste

  • Potentially contaminated absorbent paper, pipets, gloves, glassware, plastic containers, et cetera are to be disposed of in the "Dry Solids Only" labeled laboratory container.

Radiation Generators

This section explains information relating to the operation of machines capable of producing radiation.

For all instruments, a six-month calibration/leak test must be done and obtained by RCT outlined in Procedure RSO-4 and Procedure RSO-5 in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide. Any questions may be submitted to Dr. Jason Cassibry or Daniel Buchanan

Healing Arts and Non Medical X-Rays

Authorized Users must fill out application Form RSO-12B for permission to operate an instrument (i.e. bone density machine). The filled out form must be submitted to the RSO where the RSO and Radiation Community will review the application. Further radiation safety requirements can be found for X-Rays in Healing Arts and for Analytical X-Rays.

All devices capable of producing X-Rays of less than or equal to 1 MeV must be registered with the State Agency prior to acquiring the machine for use at UAH.

For Analytical X Ray Devices, RCT will conduct a quarterly survey outline under Procedure RSO-9X in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide.

Neutron Generators

Authorized Users must fill out application Form RSO-12B for permission to operate an instrument. The filled out form must be submitted to the RSO and Radiation Community for review.

Neutron Generators need to be registered with the Alabama Department of Public Health.

ADHP Form GL - General License

ADHP Form NMX - Non Medical X Ray Form

Training

Authorized Users are qualified to handle the procurement, retainment, usage, and disposal of radioactive materials or machines capable of producing radiation. Authorized Users must be trained by the RSO. AU may also undergo additional "ionizing radiation fundamentals" training.

Authorized Users must train secondary users and inform the RSO about secondary users. Secondary Users are defined as individuals who work under the supervision of an AU. Secondary Users who will be working with ionizing radiation for more than six months must also attend "ionizing radiation fundamentals" training.

Form RSO-12A

This form covers the training and authorization for secondary users to work with ionizing radiation.

Form RSO-12B

This form covers the training and authorization for secondary users to work with Analytical X Ray Equipment.

Both forms should be filled out within 6 months of working with the sources by the secondary user in training and authorized by Authorized User. The RSO will notify Authorized Users of any change in training.

Safety

Authorized Users and Workers need to be familiar with safety and protocols, following as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) when working with radioactive materials. This section will cover Occupational Dose, Radiation Protection, Signs/Labels, Monitoring/Dosimetry, and Specific Material Handling.

For General Safety Rules see Appendix A in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide.

Occupational Doses

Annual Limits

  • Whole Body = 5 rem
  • Eyes = 15 rem
  • Extremities = 50 rem
  • Embryo or Fetus = 0.5 rem over the entire pregnancy

Radiation Protection

In general, the best way to protect yourself and others from radiation is to follow the three principles: time, distance, and shielding. The less time you spend with radioactive materials and the further you are away from the source the less exposure you will get.

For beta emitters (H-3, C-14, S-35), no shielding is typically required. For P-32, low Z material shielding may be used.

For X-ray emitters, lead shielding may be required. Refer to Radiation Safety Requirements for further instructions.

For gamma emitters (I-125, Cr-51, Neutron Generator), lead shielding may be required. If used, further protocols are needed to ensure limited contamination.

Signs and Labels

Signs and labels are to be used on work areas, sinks, waste, refrigerators and equipment.

Sealed and Unsealed Radioisotope Facilities

  • Caution-Radioactive Materials/Area: To be used on the entrance of doors and storage locations as well as areas where an individual could receive an exposure of 5 mr or more in one hour measured at a distance of 6 inches from the source.
  • Caution-High Radiation Area: To be used in areas where an individual could receive an exposure of 100 mr or more in one hour measured at a distance of 6 inches from the source.
  • Caution-Contaminated Area: This sign is to be posted while the decontamination procedures are in progress, and in areas where unsealed radioisotopes are being used.
  • "Film Badge Required": This sign is to be posted at the entrance of all radiation areas.

Analytical X-Ray Facilities

  • Caution-X-Rays: This warning sign is to be located on the x-ray unit’s cabinet or in clear view of the x-ray equipment.
  • X-Rays Produced When Light is ON: This caution sign is to be located adjacent to the red warning light at the entrance to a x-ray facility or on the instrument’s control panel.

Monotoring and Dosimetry

Personnel monitoring devices are assigned by the RCT in accordance with rules and regulations. Film badges and other dosimeters are to be worn at all time when applicable. If you need a film badge/dosimeter, contact Daniel Buchanan.

DOs

  • Return for exchange on the appropriate date.
  • Report contamination of dosimeter.
  • Store away from radioactive sources.

DON'Ts

  • Share dosimeters.
  • Remove film from holder.
  • Expose to heat.
  • Take off-campus.
  • Intentional expose to radiation.

Dosimeters are to be worn between neckline and waist unless otherwise instructed with name on badge facing outwards.

External Monitoring

  • Film badges should be worn by all individuals, including students working with gamma radiation and devices capable of producing neutrons. In higher radiation areas, a day by day check of personal dosimeters may be required. Procedure RSO-8X in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide highlights the use and need for personal dosimetry.
  • Exposure records will be recorded and kept by the RCT for all individuals given a dosimeter. The RSO will notify individuals if the dosimeters measure abnormally high on a monthly report.
  • All dosimetry items will be returned to the RCT by the individual once their assignment is complete or termination.

Internal Monitoring

  • For individuals working with H-3, S-35, C-14 and I-125, monitoring is assessed on case by case. Biological samples (i.e. urine) may be required for measurement of exposure as outlined in Procedure RSO-8 in the UAH Radiation Safety Procedures Guide.

Specific Materials

H-3 (Tritium)

  • Betas from H-3 are stopped by the protective layer of your skin-shielding is not needed for quantities used at UAH.
  • H-3 tends to "creep"; do not store tritiated water in refrigerators or freezers without keeping in a sealed container.
  • Cannot be detected with a Geiger counter, must use a wipe test.

C-14

  • Shielding is not needed for quantities typically in use at UAH.
  • Grouped by radiotoxicity.
  • "Spot checks" for contamination can be performed using direct monitoring but contamination surveys must be performed using a "swipe" survey by the RCT.
  • Cannot be detected with a Geiger counter.

S-35

  • Shielding is not needed for quantities typically in use at UAH.
  • Grouped by radiotoxicity.
  • "Spot checks" for contamination can be performed using direct monitoring but contamination surveys must be performed using a "swipe" survey by the RCT.
  • Cannot be detected with a Geiger counter.

P-32

  • If shielding is needed, use a low X material such as wood or plexiglass. Do NOT use lead shielding. X-rays can be generated through Bremsstrahlung.
  • Geiger counter or wipe test can measure this isotope.

Forms

To Be Submitted to RSO

Other Links

ADPH Links

Contact US

Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Shelbie King Hall
301 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35899

oehs@uah.edu
Fax: 256.824.6668
Emergencies: 256.824.6911

RSO: Jason Cassibry
cassibj@uah.edu

RCT: Daniel Buchanan
dbp0008@uah.edu