Frequently听Asked Questions:
I would like to begin using radioactive materials in my lab, What do I need to do?
In order to use radioactive materials at the 淫妻社, your laboratory will need to be commissioned. Faculty members wishing to become an Authorized User of Radioactive Materials should contact the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO),听Joseph Agosti听(Joseph.Agosti@utoledo.edu), for information on authorization and other requirements.听 For more information please review the听Radiation Safety Manual听and fill out an听Application for Use of Radioactive Material (Research Use).
What guides are there for radiation at the 淫妻社?
For guidance on using radioactive materials听please review the Radiation Safety Manual or contact the Radiation Safety Office at 419-383-4301. For guidance on using radiation generation equipment please contact听the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO),听Joseph Agosti听(Joseph.Agosti@utoledo.edu).
Do you offer classes on radiation regulations and use?
For radioactive material use, there is a 3-Hour Radiation Safety Seminar that is offered in-person, and a required Annual Radiation Safety Refresher Training that is offered on the 淫妻社 test bank for individuals that have completed the in-person seminar. If you use fluoroscopy or are present when fluoroscopy is being performed you must complete the required training.听 We offer a Safe Use of Fluoroscopy Training on the 淫妻社 test bank.听 In addition, there is a Safe Use of Fluoroscopy Refresher Training on the 淫妻社 Test Bank that is required to be completed biennially.
How do I order radioactive materials?
Each radioactive material order must first be submitted to the Radiation Safety Office on a purchase requisition form for approval.听听When ordering radioactive materials, check your Certificate of Use to ensure that you are authorized to possess the radioisotope that you are ordering and that the amount of activity you are ordering will not cause your laboratory to exceed its possession limit of that radioisotope. If you need to increase your possession limit(s), contact the RSO. Information that must be included on the purchase requisition form includes the Authorized User (name, signature, and contact phone number), isotope description, and isotope total activity.听 The words RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL听must be included under the description.听
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How do I dispose of radioactive waste?
Guidelines for disposal of solid, liquid and animal carcass radioactive waste can be found in the听淫妻社听Radiation Safety Manual.
When will my radioactive waste be picked up?
To request pickup of radioactive waste call Radiation Safety 419-383-4301 to request a pickup.听
Which radiation survey meter should I use?
Generally, thin window Geiger-Mueller (GM) probes are best suited to detect beta radiation with energies above 70 keV, sodium iodide (NaI) scintillators are best for gamma radiation. For lab use, the Ludlum Model 3 survey instrument is recommended. If you choose to purchase a Ludlum Model 3 it is best to involve Radiation Safety to discuss the different meter faces available.
For Beta Radiation: If you are using C-14, Ca-45, Cl-36, P-32, or S-35 the Ludlum Model 3 with a "pancake" GM probe such as the Model 44-9 is preferred.听 This style of probe is best suited for surveying large areas such as floors, bench tops, and hoods.
For Gamma Radiation: If you are using I-125 or other nuclides with gamma energies between 10-40 keV, a Ludlum Model 3 survey meter with a Model 44-3 "Low Energy Gamma" sodium iodide (NaI) detector is preferred.听 If you are using Cr-51, I-131, or other nuclides with gamma energies above 40 keV, the Ludlum Model 3 survey meter with a Model 44-2 "High Energy Gamma" sodium iodide detector is preferred.
My geiger counter/survey instrument isn't working properly, what should I do?
If your Geiger counter/survey instrument isn't working properly, try the following:
- Replace the batteries in the meter.
- Check to see if the speaker is turned on.听
- Check to ensure that the window of the probe is intact and unbroken.
- Disconnect, then reconnect the cable from the probe to the meter.
- If it still doesn't work, contact one of the NMED-approved vendors for repair.
What is the proper procedure for closing out a laboratory if it is being moved/vacated?
When moving/vacating a radioisotope laboratory, listed on your permit:
- Notify the听Radiation Safety Officer听Joseph.agosti@utoledo.edu听 听419-383-4301
- Read the Rad Safety Manual policy regarding decommissioning of equipment and facilities.
- Prepare radioactive waste for disposal and request pickup.
- Survey for radioactive contamination. Decontaminate if necessary.
- Remove听and deface all radiation symbols inside the laboratory.
- Contact the RSO to schedule a final survey and closeout.
- For more information please see the听Radiation Safety Manual.
Who is required to attend Radiation Safety training for radioactive material?
Each individual working in a听radioactive material lab or frequenting a radioactive material听lab听area at the 淫妻社 should听be provided with information on any potential radiation hazards present in the area.听 Each Principal Investigator is responsible for providing lab specific training to the individuals working in his/her laboratory to assure their safety and compliance with all regulations and听University of Toledo policies.听 The Radiation Safety Department assists Principal Investigators by providing a formal 3-Hour Radiation Safety Seminar.听 The seminar is offered every 4 months.听 Individuals are not permitted to work unsupervised with radioactive materials until they have attended the 3-Hour Radiation Safety Seminar.听 Once an individual has completed the 3-Hour Radiation Safety Seminar they will only be required to complete a Radiation Safety Refresher course annually.听 The Radiation Safety Refresher听course is offered on the 淫妻社 test bank.听
Can I work with radiation generating equipment or radioactive material if I am pregnant?
Generally, yes. The vast majority of work performed at听the 淫妻社听with radioactive materials and radiation generating equipment can continue without modification during pregnancy.听
Once a person declares to her employer in writing of her pregnancy, new dose limits apply and the person must obtain a听fetal dosimeter. This radiation badge is worn at the waist to monitor the exposure to the unborn child. Regulations require that the dose for the 9 months of pregnancy must not exceed 500 mRem. Safety personnel can review your prior exposure history and your current projects that involve the use of radioactive materials or radiation producing equipment. This will provide an estimate of the likely exposure that may be received during the duration of pregnancy. This review may also result in suggestions to further reduce your exposure to radiation. Because the fetus is sensitive to radioiodine, the RSO may suggest that you not perform iodinations during your pregnancy. Because of the increased sensitivity of the fetus, the RSO may suggest you limit your use of some very large sealed sources of radioactive material.
Please refer to the Personnel Monitoring section of the Radiation Safety Website for more information.
Is there a limit to the amount of radioactive material that can be stored in the laboratory at one time?
Yes. When a Principal Investigator is granted approval to use radioactive material by the Radiation Safety Committee, certain limits are authorized. The maximum amount allowed to be in the possession of one principal investigator at one time is stated on the Certificate of Use. This total, including waste and experiments in progress in the labs, must not exceed the authorization limits. See your individual PI or the RSO for information about the specific limits in your research group. Contact the RSO if you need your limits changed.
What is ALARA?
ALARA is a philosophy of excellence used in one's day-to-day work with radioactive materials. It is when one strives to keep one's radiation exposure听As Low As Reasonably Achievable. Some, often easy, changes in procedures can greatly reduce one's radiation exposure. The ALARA philosophy encourages one to actively seek out these methods of exposure reduction.听 For more information please see the听Radiation Safety Manual.
Does lab equipment require decontamination prior to disposal, repair, or servicing?
Yes, there are strict controls on the disposal or repair of lab equipment. Equipment for disposal, repair or servicing听must be surveyed and decontaminated as needed prior to release.