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Radioisotopes in Research Laboratories
RadTown USA Topics
This page provides an overview of the various types of radioisotopes used in research laboratories.
On this page:
Overview
Research facilities use radioactive materials in the development of new products and in scientific research studies. Radionuclides may be contained in small vials or be part of large devices with sealed radioactive sources, such as an x-ray machine.
Several examples of how radioactive materials are used in research include:
- Medical researchers use radioactive materials in the development of new cancer treatments.
- Agricultural researchers use radioactive materials for the advancement of insect control, development of disease-resistant plants, and the production of fertilizers.
- Environmental scientists use small amounts of radioactive materials to trace the movement of chemical contaminants through water and soil.
- Geologists use the naturally-occurring radioactive materials in the earth, such as uranium, to determine the age of rock formations and to study continental drift.
- Archaeologists determine the age of artifacts using carbon dating, a process that uses the naturally-occurring radioactive element Carbon-14
When using radioactive materials in research, a number of issues have to be addressed:
- Safety - Strict requirements must be followed before a research facility can order, store or use radioactive materials. Safety requirements include documenting that all personnel using radioactive materials are qualified to do so, that the research facility is prepared to handle the materials safely, and that the proposed use is safe to workers and the public. To inform emergency responders during a natural disaster or terrorist incident, facilities are required to keep records on the amount and kind of radionuclides, radioactive elements, in their possession.
- Air Emissions - Research with radioactive materials may involve the release of radionuclides to the surrounding air from the laboratory. In most cases, air emissions from these facilities must be calculated and publicly reported on an annual basis.
- Waste Disposal - The use of radioactive materials in research laboratories has the potential to create radioactive waste. All radioactive waste produced by these facilities must be disposed of according to applicable state and federal requirements.
Who is protecting you
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
NRC regulates medical, industrial, and academic uses of nuclear materials through a combination of regulatory requirements; licensing; safety oversight, including inspections and enforcement; operational experience evaluation; and regulatory support activities.
The States
Thirty-four states have signed formal agreements with NRC providing the states regulatory responsibility over small quantities of special nuclear material and its source and byproducts. These states are known as NRC Agreement States.
What you can do to protect yourself
Citizens
- Learn about the activities of research laboratories in your community.
- Stay informed by contacting local research laboratories and requesting their latest air emissions report.
Employees
Follow health, safety and environmental management procedures established for your facility.
Resources
| Directory
of Agreement State and Non-Agreement State Directors and State
Liaison Officers 20 June 2005. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission This site is the directory of radiation program state contacts. |
Medical
and Industrial uses of Radioactive Materials
 2002. Nuclear Management Company This page provides information about where radioactive materials come from and how these materials are used, and the most common radioisotopes used in these applications. |
| Nuclear Regulatory Commission 24 June 2005. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission This page provides information about the Commission’s role and authority for regulating the use of radioactive materials. |
| Radioactive
Materials in the Lab-General Lab Practices 2005.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,U.S. National Institutes of Health This page provides information about safety practices and procedures for laboratory workers handling radioactive materials. |
| Radiation
Safety Manual (PDF)(85pp, 830Kb)
July 2002. University of California This document describes the regulations and procedures for using radioisotopes under the university’s radioactive materials license. |
| Fentiman, Audeen W.,Matthew E. Jorat, Joyce E. Meredith What
Processes Use Radioactive Materials? RER-11
This fact sheet describes some of the products and processes that involve radioactive materials. |