How do I dispose of source vials? |
I am leaving NIH, what do I need to do? |
I am not leaving NIH, just transferring to another lab group. Do I need to contact DRS? |
I am an Authorized User and am moving labs, what do I need to do? |
Do I need dosimetry while working in the lab? |
Do I need radiation safety training to work in the lab? |
I want to use a co-worker's radioactive material, but I am not on the order form. Can I still use it? |
If radioactive material is not used in a lab for a given month does a contamination survey still need to be completed? |
How do I arrange for the contractor to perform monthly contamination surveys? |
I need to use an irradiator, what do I need to do to gain permission? |
I want to place an order for radioactive material, how can I do this? |
My survey meter is not working, how can I get it repaired? |
Can I work with radioactive material while I am pregnant? |
Where can I get a Radioactive Waste Tag for my radioactive waste? |
I have a mixed waste contaminated with a short-lived isotope, can I dispose of it as chemical waste if I wait 10 half lives? |
Do I need to adjust the pH of my liquid radioactive waste? |
If monthly survey smears are at background, are the LSC vials (fluid and smears) still considered radioactive waste? |
Q. |
How
do I dispose of source vials ? |
A. |
Empty
source vials may be disposed in radioactive waste step-can
containers. Partially used or unused source vials must
be disposed as follows:
- Place
them in a small cardboard box.
- Affixes
Caution-Radioactive Material label and attach a Radioactive
Waste Pickup tag.
- Dispose
through the Radioactive Waste Service, 301-496-4451.
The
lead/plastic vial shipping containers must be disposed
of separately from other radioactive waste and can be
placed with the vials in the cardboard box. |
Q. |
I
am leaving NIH, what do I need to do? |
A. |
Individual
users should call DRS with departure information. Authorized
users should call their Area HP at least one week prior
to leaving. If you wear a dosimeter DRS will need to know
your new address in order to send your exposure history
to you. Authorized Users must have radioactive material,
labs and personnel assigned to them transferred to another
Authorized User prior to leaving. |
Q. |
I
am not leaving NIH, just transferring to another lab group.
Do I need to contact DRS? |
A. |
Yes.
DRS will need to know your new address, phone number,
e-mail address and new Authorized User. |
Q. |
I
am an Authorized User and am moving labs, what do I need
to do? |
A. |
Notify
DRS in advance to arrange for the Area HP to clear the lab. Remove all radioactive
materials from your lab(s), call for the waste containers
to be picked up, perform a smear survey, deface any "radioactive
material" labels on equipment and post the survey on the
door. DRS now offers a service for moving radioactive
materials between labs when work locations change. Your
material will be inventoried, packaged and delivered to
the new work location. For additional information concerning
this service call the materials control section, DRS at
301-496-3277. |
Q. |
Do
I need dosimetry while working in the lab? |
A. |
All
personnel should submit a dosimetry
registration form prior to working with radioactive
materials, or when your work with radioactive materials
changes. Be sure to include the activity you will be working
with, the amount of time you will handle this activity
and the number of times per week you will perform this
work. Using the information on the worksheet DRS will
determine if your work requires you to wear dosimetry. |
Q. |
Do
I need radiation safety training to work in the lab? |
A. |
Yes,
if you work with radioactive materials. To register for
a "Radiation Safety in the laboratory" (RSL) class call
the training office at 301-496-2255. If you need to start work
prior to your scheduled class your Authorized User can
review the Orientation
Packet with you but you still must complete the RSL
as soon as possible. |
Q. |
I
want to use a co-worker's radioactive material, but I
am not on the order form. Can I still use it? |
A. |
Yes,
but the Authorized User that ordered the material must
approve your use. This may be done by putting your name
on the utilization sheet for that specific order and having
the AU place his/her initials next to your name. |
Q. |
If
radioactive material is not used in a lab for a given
month does a contamination survey still need to be completed? |
A. |
Smears
are not required, but the monthly survey form must be submitted to DRS
stating the non-use of radioactive materials. |
Q. |
How
do I arrange for the contractor to perform monthly contamination
surveys? |
A. |
Call
RSA at 301-435-7953. |
Q. |
I
need to use an irradiator, what do I need to do to gain
permission? |
A. |
Contact
your Area HP for a list of
custodians in your area. Contact the custodian for training
and permission to be added as a designated user to the
list. |
Q. |
I
want to place an order for radioactive material, how can
I do this? |
A. |
Only
Authorized Users (AU) may order material. AU's may use
any one of the following to purchase radioactive material:
- Use
the IMPAC/VISA purchase card, see instructions and
restrictions
- Any
other NIH approved procurement procedures Except at
the GRC.
An
AU, through their procurement office must place all orders. |
Q. |
My
survey meter is not working, how can I get it repaired? |
A. |
RSA
is under contract with NIH to provide calibration and
repair of all survey meters. Call 301-435-7953 to arrange
for pick-up and repair. |
Q. |
Can
I work with radioactive material while I am pregnant? |
A. |
Yes
you can, and in the majority of cases no restrictions
will be placed on your work. NIH has established a fetal
protection policy that applies to pregnant women whose
assigned duties involve the exposure to ionizing radiation.
The policy establishes a special dose limit for the embryo/fetus
of a woman who has formally declared her pregnancy to
DRS. More specific information about the policy (link
to policy in RS Guide) can be found in the Radiation Safety
Guide or you can contact your Area HP at 301-496-5774. |
Q. |
Where
can I get a Radioactive Waste Tag for my radioactive waste? |
A. |
The
self-service store has radioactive waste tags in stock. |
Q. |
I
have a mixed waste contaminated with a short-lived isotope,
can I dispose of it as chemical waste if I wait 10 half
lives? |
A. |
No.
There are many record keeping requirements imposed by
the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and failure to
keep proper records is a violation of our radioactive
materials license. All mixed waste must be promptly removed
from your lab by the Radioactive Waste Service 301-496-4451. |
Q. |
Do
I need to adjust the pH of my liquid radioactive waste? |
A. |
For
waste with a pH of 3 or less or 12 and above, do not attempt
to neutralize. Such waste must be handled as mixed waste.
Otherwise, liquid waste solutions should be adjusted to
a pH between 6 and 10. If you need assistance, contact
the Waste Management Section of the Environmental Protection
Branch at 301-496-7990. |
Q. |
If
monthly survey smears are at background, are the LSC vials
(fluid and smears) still considered radioactive waste? |
A. |
Yes.
The Chemical Waste Service will not accept used scintillation
vials and regardless of the claims of the scintillation
cocktail manufacturer, do not dispose of these wastes
to the sink in your lab. Contact the Radioactive Waste
Service (301-496-4451) to schedule removal of all used LSC vials
from you lab. Indicate on the Radioactive Waste Tag the
radionuclides that were used in the lab for which you
were conducting the survey. |