GUIDELINES FOR WORKING AROUND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

1. Whenever working around radioactive materials, decrease exposures with the proper use of the three basic parameters of radiation protection: time, distance and shielding. Decrease your time around a radiation source, increase your distance from the source and determine that proper shielding is being used where and when appropriate.
2. Maintain your occupational exposure to radiation As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
3. Be aware of room postings. Be aware of lab bench areas, fume hoods, sinks, refrigerators and freezers labeled “Caution, Radioactive Materials”.
4. Review radionuclide characteristics prior to working around the nuclide.
5. Never eat, drink, smoke, handle contact lenses, apply cosmetics or take medicine in the posted laboratory; keep food, drinks, cosmetics, etc. out of the lab entirely.
6. Never store (human) food and beverage in refrigerators, freezers or cold rooms used for storing radioactive materials.
7. If there is a question regarding any aspect of the radiation safety program or radioactive material use, contact the Radiation Safety Officer, 7-5922, or their representative in your area.

   ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

8. Disposable gloves, lab coats, and protective eyewear are the minimal PPE (Personal protective Equipment) required when handling radioactive material. Remove and discard potentially contaminated PPE prior to leaving the area where radioactive material is used.
9. Clearly designate radioactive material use areas with proper signage. Cover lab bench tops where radioactive material will be handled with plastic-backed absorbent paper. Change this covering periodically and whenever it is contaminated. Handle radioactive solutions in trays large enough to contain the material in event of a spill.
10. Fume hoods, sinks, refrigerators and freezers used with radioactive materials must be labeled “Caution, Radioactive Material”.
11. Label each radioactive material container with the radiation symbol, radionuclide, activity, date, and radiation level, if necessary.
12. Reduce internal and external radiation dose by monitoring the worker and the work area after each use of radioactive material. Promptly clean up any contamination discovered. If a spill occurs, notify other laboratory personnel and call Radiation Safety at 7-5922.
13. Keep an accurate inventory of radioactive material, including records of all receipts, transfers, use and disposal. Perform regular laboratory surveys and wipe tests each week after radioactive material is used and record all results.
14. All volatile, gaseous, or aerosolized radioactive material must be used only in a properly operating fume hood specified in protocol within an enclosed room with the door closed.
15. Take special precautions when working with radioactive compounds that tend to become volatile (e.g. 35S labeled amino acids, 125I – iodine tends to volatilize in acidic solutions). These precautions include using the material only within an approved fume hood.
16. Use sealed containers and appropriate secondary containment to transport radioactive material between laboratories.