Radiation Safety - Notebook

University of Virginia
Environmental Health & Safety

Radiation Safety Program
http://ehs.virginia.edu/ehs/ehs.rs/rs.html
Radiation Safety Notebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
§1 EHS phone/address Listings

§2 Authorization to Use Radioactive Materials
2.1 Authorizations to Use Radioactive Material
2.2 Training Requirements
2.3 Forms
§3 Procurement, Receipt and Inventory of Radioactive Materials
3.1 Odering Radioactive Material
3.2 Procedures for Receipt and Opening of Radioactive Packages
3.3 Radionuclide Information Sheet
3.4 Laboratory Radionuclide Inventory Recordkeeping
§4 Radioactive Waste
4.1 Management and Disposal Procedures
4.2 Radioactive Waste Ticket Instructions
§5 Radiation Surveys
5.1 Survey Procedures
5.2 Portable Survey Instruments and Fixed Counting Systems
5.3 Laboratory Radiation Survey Report Cover Sheet and Survey Forms
5.4 Survey Instrument Use Guidelines
§6 Adding/Removing Rooms from your Authorization
6.1 Procedure for Commissioning Rooms
6.2 Procedure for Decommissioning Rooms
§7 Policy for Use of Radioactive Materials in Vivariums
§8 Personnel Monitoring
8.1 Radiation Dosimeter Use Guidelines
8.2 Radio-bioassay Guidelines
§9 Radiation Emergency Procedures

§10 Radioactive Material Security Requirements
§11 EHS Correspondence

§1 Telephone and e-mail listings of Radiation Safety Staff
http://ehs.virginia.edu/ehs/staff.html#rs
Office of Environmental Health & Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982-4911

Fax # . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982-4921
Emergency Response during working hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982-4911

Emergency Response: evenings, weekends and holidays . . . 924-2012
Ralph Allen, Director, Radiation Safety Officer. . . . . . . . . . . .982-4911, roa2s@virginia.edu

Deborah P. Steva, Health Physicist, Alternate RSO. . . . . . . .982-4917, dps3c@virginia.edu
Catherine Perham, Hospital Assistant RSO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 243-1712, csp2t@virginia.edu
NAME TITLE PHONE RESPONSIBILITIES

Mike Cohen Radiation Safety 2-4918 Emerg. Response, regulatory, lab
mlc6f@virginia.edu Specialist surveys, RAM shipments,
commissioning/decommissioning
Mary Fielding Buyer 2-4923 Radioactive material orders
mgf@virginia.edu
John Grachus Laboratory 2-4919 Lab surveys, rad waste, package
jmg6g@virginia.edu Specialist delivery
Jon Hall Radiation Safety 2-4919 Commissioning/decommissioning,
jlh8d@virginia.edu Tech Sr. chemical inspections
Kim Blatz Compliance & 2-4919 Rad waste pickups, lab surveys,
kab5rc@virginia.edu Safety Officer III package deliveries, sewer release,
sealed source leak testing
Greg Payne Laboratory 2-4919 Bioassays, Reactor tech, waste
gfp5d@virginia.edu Specialist pickups, package delivery, meter
calibrations
Ian Grimm Laboratory 2-4921 Lab surveys, rad waste, package
iag9n@virginia.edu Specialist delivery
Diane Russell Dosimetrist 2-4911 Dosimetry
drr2c@virginia.edu
Dean Schlemmer Safety Engineer 2-4978 Training
dms2q@virginia.edu
Trevor Thomas Radiation Safety 2-4919 Rad waste pickup, lab exemptions,
tkt4j@virginia.edu Tech Sr bioassays, pkg delivery, surveys,
commissioning/decommissioning,
chemical inspections
Jean Varner Buyer 2-5069 Radioactive material orders,
jmp2e@virginia.edu chemical inspections
http://ehs.virginia.edu/ehs/ehs.rs/rs.documents/rad_Notebook.doc 1/16/2021
§2.1 AUTHORIZATION INFORMATION
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI): _______________________ PI NO.__________
See the attached summary for authorized radionuclides and limits, rooms and personnel.
¨ Authorized Radionuclides and Limits

Amendments to your list of approved nuclides must be approved in writing by the
Environmental Health & Safety Office. Documentation of the approval must be
placed in this notebook.
¨ Authorized Rooms
All radioactive material-use rooms must be pre-approved by EHS. These rooms must
be posted with a Hazard Communication sign bearing the "Caution: Radioactive
Materials" warning, an NRC-3 "Notice to Employees", 10 CFR Part 21 "Notice to
Employees", Virginia Health Department "Notice to Employees", emergency response
phone instructions and security reminder. Only the PI may request room additions,
deletions, or exemptions. These requests can be made either by telephone, fax, or
e-mail [drr2c@Virginia.EDU].
¨ Authorized Personnel
All independent radioactive material users must attend training and apply to EHS to
become authorized for use (see training section). Individuals approved under a
specific PI must notify EHS if they transfer to another lab/PI.
There are three levels of authorization at the University of Virginia:
1. Principal Investigator for Possession & Use of Radioactive Material - usually (but
not always) the lab director, may order and possess radioactive material,
supervise unauthorized personnel, train, supervise and allow other approved
personnel to work with radioactive material.
2. Qualified User - may supervise and train unauthorized and other approved
personnel to work with radioactive material, and, if EHS is provided written
approval from the PI, they may order radioactive material for the PI.
3. General User - may work independently with radioactive material, but may not
supervise or train personnel and may not order radioactive material.
4. Temporary User - may use radioactive material only under direct supervision of a
PI or Qualified User. A temporary user has not received authorization from the
Radiation Safety Committee to work with radioactive materials.
§2.2
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL USERS
It is the responsibility of the Authorized User to ensure that all personnel who work
in a radioactive materials-use area have completed the required UVa radiation
safety training.
You must receive instruction

 before assuming duties with or in the vicinity of radioactive materials or
radiation producing equipment
 during annual refresher training and
 whenever there is a significant change in duties, regulation, and terms of the
license or type of radioactive material or therapy device used.
Individuals who have not completed training are not allowed to work independently
with radioactive material. They may, however, work under the direct supervision of
their Principal Investigator, Qualified User or Authorized User until they have
completed their training requirements.
Individuals with no previous experience working with radioactive material.

These individuals must satisfactorily complete the following:
 Radiation Safety Training Course (RSTC)
 Radiation Safety Training Course Examination
 An application for the category of user desired
The RSTC is a live lecture that is provided on a monthly basis. The course
schedule is provided on the EHS website. The Radiation Safety Guide Lecture
is part of this course.
 Individuals with previous experience

The Radiation Safety Training Course may be waived at the sole discretion of the
RSO, or the Alternate RSO, based on the following:
The individual supplies documentation of training from the institution at which he or
she was authorized to use radioactive material. A letter from that institution’s RSO
or Radiation Protection Manager (RPM) must be provided that contains the
following information:
A statement attesting that the individual attended and completed the Radiation
Safety Training Course offered by that facility.
 A copy, or description, of the course syllabus
 Duration of the course in hours
§2.2
 Date of the course

 The RSO, or RPM, signature
 This letter must be dated
The RSO is not bound to accept previous training even upon satisfactory evidence
that a previous course was completed. Reasons for not waiving attendance at the
UVA RSTC may be that the earlier training was not of sufficient scope or was over 7
years in the past.
If documentation of previous training is accepted and attendance at the UVa RSTC
is waived, the individual will be required to satisfactorily complete the following:
 Radiation Safety Guide Lecture
 Radiation Safety Guide Lecture Examination
 An application for the category of user type desired
The Radiation Safety Guide lecture is available on-line at the EHS website:
https://vprgsecure.web.virginia.edu/oehs/training/secure_training_home.cfm#rsgl
Other individuals who may require training

Ancillary personnel such as housekeeping staff, dishwashers, etc. may require
radiation safety training under certain conditions. Individuals working with blood
bank irradiators or other special sources may require specialized training. EHS
provides customized training for these groups of individuals. Please contact EHS
for further information if you think you fall into this category.
Non-Occupational Exposure (General Public)

Non-occupational workers (e.g. physical plant, housekeeping, secretarial staff)
should be reminded to follow these same safety rules. Any visitors to these areas
must be escorted by an individual who is properly trained
 Annual Retraining Requirement for All Radiation Workers

In addition to the initial training requirements, there is a retraining requirement.
Anyone who uses radioactive material while working at UVA, must complete annual
retraining. EHS will send out a notice to all Principal Investigators reminding them
of the need to ensure that personnel working under their authorization must
complete the retraining. If a user fails to complete the required retraining, they may
lose the authorization to work with radioactive material. Re-authorization can only
be obtained by completing retraining. Retraining courses normally include training
on the Chemical Hygiene Plan and the Right-to-Know Law as well. Re-training is
normally provided on line through the EHS website. A live lecture can be provided
if a request is made to EHS.
§2.3 APPLICATION FORMS
A copy of the most current applications for PI, Qualified user, General user and
amendment forms to add radionuclides may be found on the EHS website through
the following link: http://www.ehs.virginia.edu/rad/rad_forms.html
The PI may commission new rooms or decommission existing rooms by calling

Environmental Health & Safety at 982-4911, sending a fax to 982-4915 with a brief
explanation of room change requirements, or sending e-mail to drr2c@Virginia.EDU
with similar explanation. Please copy as needed.
Use of radioactive materials in human investigation (research) must be approved

by the Human Investigation Involving Radiation Exposure (HIRE) Subcommittee of
the Radiation Safety Committee. For additional information, contactl Deborah
Steva at 982-4917.
§3.1 ORDERING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
All radioactive material orders must be approved by EHS. For instructions on ordering
radioactive material at the University of Virginia, please use the following link:
http://ehs.virginia.edu/ehs/ehs.rs/rs.order.html
If you are required to have someone in your Department approve the requisition, you
need to establish who that person is and alert them that the order needs approval prior
to 12 Noon of the day that you want the material to be ordered.
If you require assistance with placing an order, please contact Mary Fielding at 982-4923
or e-mail at mgf@Virginia.edu or Jean Varner at 2-5069 or email at jmp2e@Virginia.edu.
§3.2
PROCEDURES FOR OPENING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PACKAGES
1. Open the package immediately to determine that the correct material and
quantity was received. Open the package in a hood or other radioactive
material work area with a prepared surface to contain any spills should they
occur during package opening.
2. Put on a lab coat and gloves to prevent personal contamination.
3. Visually inspect the package for signs of damage (e.g. wet or crushed). If
damage is noted, stop the procedure and notify the Radiation Safety Officer
(RSO) or designee.
4. Inspect the packing slip to confirm that the correct material was received.
5. Carefully open outer packaging and locate inner container of radioactive

material.
6. Open the inner package and verify that the contents agree with the packing
slip.
7. Check the integrity of the final source container. Look for broken seals or
vials, loss of liquid, condensation, or discoloration of the packing material.
8. If anything is other than expected, stop and notify the RSO (or designee).
9. If contamination is suspected, wipe the external surface of the final source

container and assay the wipe sample to determine if there is any
removable radioactivity.
10. Survey the packing material and the empty package for contamination with
a radiation detection survey meter before discarding.
a. If contaminated, treat this material as radioactive waste.

b. If not contaminated, remove or obliterate the radiation labels
before discarding in the regular trash.
11. Record receipt of material in the radioactive material inventory log in the
laboratory's Radiation Safety Record Notebook.
§3.3 RADIONUCLIDE INFORMATION SHEET
RADIONUCLIDE INFORMATION
ISOTOPE HALF-LIFE TYPE OF SURVEY INSTRUMENTS

RADIATION LIQUID SCINTILLATION COUNTER (L)
GEIGER COUNTER(M)
GAMMA COUNTER (G)
*Preferred method
3
H 12.3 Years Beta L
14
C 5730 Years Beta L
45
Ca 163 Days Beta L*, M
35
S 87.4 Days Beta L
32
P 14.3 Days Beta M, L
125
I 60 Days Gamma G*, M (with NaI crystal), L
131
I 8 Days Beta, Gamma G, M
51
Cr 27.7 Days Gamma G, M, L
137
Cs 30 Years Beta, Gamma G, M, L
low energy
betas -- Beta L
high energy
betas -- Beta M, L
low energy
gammas -- Gamma G, M (with NaI crystal)
high energy
gammas -- Gamma G, M
micro
spheres -- Gamma M
1 Curie = 2.22 x 1012 dis/min 1 Curie = 3.7 x 1010 dis/sec

1 Millicurie = 2.22 x 109 dis/min 1 Millicurie = 3.7 x 10 7 dis/sec
1 Microcurie = 2.22 x 10 6 dis/min 1 Microcurie = 3.7 x 104 dis/sec
§3.4
LABORATORY RADIONUCLIDE INVENTORY RECORDKEEPING
Radioactive material must be under control and surveillance of the user at all
times. Maintenance of inventory allows the user to determine material has not
been lost or stolen.
A separate inventory sheet must be maintained for each radionuclide.
Radionuclide inventory sheets must be maintained in the laboratory and available

for review by EHS and the NRC. Never throw these records away, since they may
be needed for future inspections.
There are two methods for documenting the laboratory’s inventory:

1. Create a separate inventory log for each radionuclide stock vial. When a stock vial is
ready for disposal, close out the inventory log for that vial and file. EHS prefers this
type of inventory system because it simplifies the inspection process and responsibly
tracks all materials. Blank Radioisotope Inventory Log Sheets can be found here
(word) and here (pdf).
OR
2. Establish an inventory section for each radionuclide. Instead of having separate
inventory sheets for each vial, inventory by radionuclide, with sub-sections of running
totals for each radioactive compound. This system can be confusing and, therefore,
more prone to error than the first system. EHS discourages this inventory method
because of the potential for inadvertent entry omissions and undiscovered inventory
problems.
Remember to make all entries in ink. Entries must include the complete date,
including the year. The best method for inventory reporting is µCi or mCi units. Units
of volume or concentration are not permitted.
Any other inventory system or form must be approved by the RSO prior to its use.
All inventory sheets must be maintained in the UVa "Radiation Safety Notebook" with the
exception of current in-use inventory sheets. These should be posted in a visible
location, known to EHS surveyors. If a computerized inventory system is used, an up-to-
date hard copy of the current inventory must be maintained in the "Radiation Safety
Notebook."
Inventory logs must be kept up-to-date. Failure to maintain a centralized inventory

system can jeopardize your authorization to use radioactive material at UVa and could
result in NRC fines to the University.
§3.4
Intra-university transfers of radioisotopes are allowed. However, only the PI or an EHS-

approved Qualified User designated to order radioactive material may approve its
transfer and receipt. The NRC considers a transfer the same as ordering from a
commercial source. After all approvals have been made (verbal approval is acceptable),
both laboratories' inventory logs must be amended to reflect the change in inventory due
to the transfer. Care should be exercised so as not to transfer radioisotopes for which
the recipient is not authorized.
The inventory sheet must be annotated to show the activity and date that waste leaves
the lab. As an aid in determining waste activity, a waste disposal section (optional) is
provided on the inventory log. It is important to maintain inventory records as accurately
as possible. Proper maintenance of these records is essential for ensuring radioactive
material accountability.
Remember....
 The inventory must be updated when new RAM is received.

 The inventory must be updated when RAM is removed from stock vials.
 RAM in the waste containers is subtracted from inventory when the RAM is
removed from the lab by EHS.
 The units must be in mCi or Ci; units of volume are not allowed.
 Entries must be made in ink.
§4.1
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT & DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
EHS office provides radioactive waste pickup services and consultation. To request a
radioactive waste pickup, fax your waste ticket(s) to 982-4915. If you are unable to fax
us this information, you may still call EHS at 982-4911. The waste ticket must include
the following information:
¨ Name of caller
¨ PI name and PI number
 Today’s date and lab phone number
¨ Waste location: building and room
¨ Waste container size, radionuclide(s) and activity
¨ Type of container to be replaced or emptied
¨ Indicate the presense of contamination
¨ Note any problems with the waste.
Radioactive waste will be picked up on Tuesdays and Wednesdays unless there are
extenuating circumstances. If waste is not picked up during those times, please call EHS
again. Free (unbound) iodine-125, high activity and biological waste will be picked up as
soon as possible. To expedite pickup, please call EHS before generating these types of
wastes.
¨ Radioactive waste must be segregated according to radioisotope.

Each radioisotope has a unique half-life and environmental release limit.
Combining radioisotopes delays the release of these materials locally and may
force shipment of the material to a radioactive waste repository at great cost to the
University. Please contact EHS if you find it necessary to combine radioisotopes.
It may be done only if it does not impact the University's waste reduction program.
¨ Radioactive waste must be segregated by physical form.

1. Dry Solids: This category includes paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Sharps
must be placed in approved sharps containers (available from Hospital Supply)
prior to disposal. “Environmentally safe” scintillation fluors and stock vials
containing radioisotopes with half-lives of less than 120 days should be placed
in dry solid waste. Low-level C-14 and H-3 (up to 0.1 mCi per waste container)
may be placed in dry solid waste. No standing liquids or blood-contaminated
items are allowed.
Lead containers must not go into the waste. They must be collected
separately.
2. Bulk Liquids: Any volume of liquid waste greater than 50 ml is defined as a

bulk liquid. Use a separate container for each nuclide. Record all chemicals
contained in the waste, along with measured pH. Do not overfill waste
containers. EHS provided containers are marked with a “fill line”. Do not fill
the container above this line.
§4.1
Leave room for potential expansion of the waste. Never pour radioactive rinse
water down the lab sink. Separate aqueous from organic liquid waste. Do not
place solid material (e.g. biological material, filter paper, pipette tips) in your liquid
waste. Obstructions in the spout can create a splashing hazard and cause serious
problems with disposal. Try to reduce the amount of acidic waste which can
damage containers. Add bleach or use other methods to neutralize biological
liquid waste (e.g. blood, urine, cells). Use a funnel when pouring liquid to minimize
external contamination. EHS must pick up the first rinse wash water of radioactive
equipment. Count a sample if contamination is suspected.
3. Organic Solvent-Based Scintillation Vials: Organic solvent-based
scintillation fluors must be packaged separately. Since these vials may leak, do
not store this waste for long periods of time.
4. Vials > 120 day half-life and <50ml: Radioactive waste with a half-life greater
than 120 days, e.g. H-3, C-14, and capped containers with less than 50 ml of
liquid should be packaged together and placed into cardboard vial trays for
collection by EHS. EHS can provide these trays to you. Do not empty vials or
small volume containers prior to disposal. Do not mix this waste with
scintillation vial waste.
Radioisotope waste with a half-life greater than 120 days should be packaged
according to nuclide and labeled with radioactive warning tape and waste
disposal ticket. Package lead separately. Store stock vials in a legally posted
area immediately upon receipt or after use. Adjust inventory records to reflect
receipt of new material. Dispose of old vials immediately.
5. Biological Tissue: This waste includes animal bedding and blood soaked
items. When packaging, try to minimize leakage. Freeze or refrigerate this
waste, when possible, until pickup. Sharps must be put in an approved sharps
container.
6. Lead: Lead is a hazardous material and must be separated from other types of
waste. Place lead in a box, label as lead waste, and call EHS for pickup.
Weight should not exceed 25 pounds.
¨ Package radioactive waste in appropriate containers. EHS provides

radioactive waste containers upon request at no cost to the labs. No other
containers are permitted unless approved by EHS. This reduces the likelihood
that radioactive waste will be mistaken for routine, non-regulated trash and
disposed of illegally.
¨ Radioactive/EPA classified hazardous chemical waste (mixed hazardous

material) packaging must be pre-approved by EHS. EHS must consult with all
labs that generate radioactive/EPA classified chemical waste to ensure that all
§4.1
local, state and federal regulations are followed. Mixed hazardous waste must
be clearly labeled on the waste ticket. Do not place this waste in a regular
radioactive-only waste container. EHS will provide a special container to keep this
waste separate.
¨ The University of Virginia NRC license requires waste with isotopes with
half-lives greater than 120 days (e.g. Co-57, Co-58, Na-22, Cl-36, Zn-65), to be
shipped for disposal. EHS can suggest ways to minimize such waste.
¨ All radioactive waste containers must have a current EHS radioactive waste
label securely attached to the waste container. Unlabeled waste will not be
picked up. Call EHS or ask the waste technician who picks up your waste for new
labels.
¨ Survey waste container for contamination. EHS must be notified if

contamination is found on the outside of waste containers. When calling to
request a waste pickup, tell the EHS representative that contamination is present.
Note this on the waste pick-up ticket. Tell the technicians when they come to pick
up the container. This policy is mandated by local and federal regulations.
Animal carcasses and stock vials are exempted from this requirement because
they are placed in overpack containers.
¨ Do not put non-radioactive waste in radioactive waste containers. If the

material is potentially radioactive, put it in the radioactive waste. Be conservative
in disposal of radioactive waste.
¨ Keep accurate records of the contents of radioactive waste containers.

Provide EHS with an accurate estimate of waste activity. Call EHS for assistance
in determining waste activity.
¨ Never store bulk liquid waste uncapped.
¨ Treat bulk liquids to prevent gas formation. Microorganisms should be killed

using bleach or another method. If you combine chemicals that react to produce
excessive heat or gas, contact EHS prior to producing the waste.
¨ Biological material must be packaged to prevent leakage and stored in a

freezer prior to pickup unless prior arrangements have been made with EHS.
Blood contaminated items should be considered biological waste and packaged
accordingly.
§4.2
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL WASTE TICKET INSTRUCTIONS
A Radioactive Material Waste Ticket must be completed for each container of waste
generated. It is a two-part carbonless form. To request pickup of your waste, fax the
white copy of each ticket to 2-4915. The yellow copy must be attached securely to the
waste container. The completed ticket must include information about the
radioisotope(s), activity, and waste type(s) as well as other general information. Please
print clearly.
The following information is supplied to assist in completing the waste ticket:
1. A space for the signature of the individual completing the waste ticket is located at
the bottom of the form. No waste will be picked up if the signature is missing. The
signature confirms that the required survey has been completed and verifies that all
information on the waste ticket is correct. In accordance with DOT regulations, all
radioactive waste containers must be certified free of removable surface
contamination exceeding 2,200 dpm/100 cm 2. Survey the outside of the waste
containers before requesting a waste pick-up and record this information on
the waste ticket in the space provided. Inform the EHS waste technicians when
they arrive to pick up the waste if the survey results are greater than background.
Contaminated waste containers will be encapsulated in plastic bags by EHS prior to
removal. Proper disposal of radioactive material in approved waste containers
decreases the potential for removable surface contamination exceeding 2,200
dpm/100 cm2 . Verification of the survey must be recorded in the survey section of
the Laboratory Radiation Safety Notebook. Please indicate in the comments section
that these surveys are for waste containers. These survey records will be subject to
EHS and NRC inspection.
2. A space is provided for reporting the measured pH of bulk liquid samples. Labs are
no longer allowed to estimate the pH because of problems related to a chemical
safety approval of this waste for sanitary sewer release. Incorrect pH readings will be
investigated by EHS.
§4.2
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL WASTE TICKET INSTRUCTIONS
A Radioactive Material Waste Ticket must be completed for each container of waste
generated. It is a two-part carbonless form. To request pickup of your waste, fax the
white copy of each ticket to 2-4915. The yellow copy must be attached securely to the
waste container. The completed ticket must include information about the
radioisotope(s), activities, and waste type(s) as well as other general information.
Please print.
The following information is supplied to assist in completing the waste ticket:
1. A space for the signature of the individual completing the waste ticket is located at
the bottom of the form. No waste will be picked up if the signature is missing. The
signature confirms that the required survey has been completed and verifies that all
information on the waste ticket is correct. In accordance with DOT regulations, all
radioactive waste containers must be certified free of removable surface
contamination exceeding 2,200 dpm/100 cm 2. Survey the outside of the waste
containers before requesting a waste pick-up and record this information on
the waste ticket in the space provided. Inform the EHS waste technicians when
they arrive to pick up the waste if the survey results are greater than background.
Contaminated waste containers will be encapsulated in plastic bags by EHS prior to
removal. Proper disposal of radioactive material in approved waste containers
decreases the potential for removable surface contamination exceeding 2,200
dpm/100 cm2 . Verification of the survey must be recorded in the survey section of
the Laboratory Radiation Safety Notebook. Please indicate in the comments section
that these surveys are for waste containers. These survey records will be subject to
EHS and NRC inspection.
2. A space is provided for reporting the effective date of your waste. This date may be
different from the date on which the waste ticket is filled out. The effective date entry
is optional and is provided as a convenience for laboratories that want to report old
waste or very short half-life waste without having to calculate the decay of the
material. The effective date is often used when reporting activities of old radioactive
material stock vials during laboratory decommissioning. Call EHS if you are not sure
whether your waste requires an effective date.
3. A space is provided for reporting the measured pH of bulk liquid samples. Labs are
no longer allowed to estimate the pH because of problems relating to the chemical
safety approval of this waste for sanitary sewer release. Incorrect pH readings will be
investigated by EHS.
§5.1 RADIATION SURVEY PROCEDURES
Radiation surveys are performed to locate sources of radiation exposure and to detect
removable surface contamination in lab areas or on equipment, personnel and clothing.
Surveys are required by NRC, State and University regulations.
When work with radioactive material is performed in a laboratory, at least one

survey is required to be performed and recorded each week.
It is good radiation safety practice to survey after each use of radioactive material. EHS
recommends that surveys after each use be documented in some manner, although it is
not necessary to enter the results of these additional surveys in the laboratory notebook.
All required surveys must be recorded in the Radiation Safety Records notebook. Every
PI/Lab should have this notebook.
Areas and equipment that may be contaminated, such as the primary work bench(s),
water baths, centrifuges, etc., used during the radioactive experiment, should be
surveyed. The floor in front of the primary work bench, door handles, etc. should also be
surveyed.
Surveys should be started in primary work areas and expanded radially. If the primary
work area is free of contamination, the expanded survey area can be small. If
contamination is detected in the work area, the expanded survey may need to
encompass the entire laboratory.
Areas found to have unacceptable radiation levels or contamination must be shielded

and/or cleaned as soon as possible. Radioactive contamination may be labeled with
radioactive material warning tape and/or cleaned. Follow-up surveys must be performed
to confirm that contamination problems have been corrected.
The proper method for recording a radiation survey entails:
1. completing all items on the University of Virginia Laboratory Survey Sheet;

2. recording survey results in ink and initialing each survey;
3. using proper units (DPM or mR/hr units only), only pre-approved labs may use mR/hr;
4. recording survey results numerically (descriptive expressions such as “not hot” or
“background” are not acceptable); and
5. entering the full date (month, day and year).
§5.1
The “no work this week box” should be checked if no work is performed during that
week. No survey is required if no radiation work has been performed. Alternatively, a
written comment may be provided if no radioactive work will be performed for a longer
period of time (e.g. “No radioactive work will be performed from month/day/year until
month/day/year.”) A notation should be made if work was performed and the weekly
survey was missed. From a regulatory standpoint, it is better to indicate that a survey
was missed than to make no comment at all or enter a survey result when none was
performed.
All survey records must be kept until the termination of the authorization. Federal
regulations require that the University maintain all survey and use records indefinitely for
the purpose of eventual decommissioning of facilities. At the termination of an
authorization, survey records must be provided to EHS for inclusion in the
University-wide survey records file.
Radiation Survey Report Cover Sheet

Radiation Survey Instrument Information must be recorded. Each survey instrument or
detection system in your laboratory requires a separate laboratory radiation survey
report cover sheet. Without separate survey sheets, it is difficult for inspectors to
determine whether you are using the appropriate instrument for surveying. The following
information must be provided on the cover sheet.
1) Geiger-Muller (GM) Counters are required to be calibrated annually by EHS or a

pre-approved calibration company. After each calibration, a report will be returned
with the GM and must be kept in this section of the Radiation Safety Records
notebook. This report describes the instrument which was calibrated (e.g.
manufacturer, model and serial number). It also indicates which units must be
used when reading and recording survey results and the efficiencies to be used for
selected radioisotopes. Efficiencies are also noted on the case of the GM. The
normal background, which is a reading taken in a non-radioactive area, is provided
in CPM. The report also provides any special operating instructions. For GM
counters this calibration report may be used in place of the Laboratory Radiation
Survey Report Cover Sheet.
2) Liquid Scintillation and Gamma Counters should be serviced annually. During

this routine maintenance, the factory representative should check that the unit is
functioning correctly and provide the owner with efficiency information. It is the
responsibility of all users of liquid scintillation and gamma counters to maintain
these counters if they are used for NRC mandated surveys. Complete a
Laboratory Radiation Survey Report Cover Sheet for each liquid scintillation and
gamma counter.
§5.2
PORTABLE INSTRUMENT USE INSTRUCTIONS
Normal Background:
Establish your meter's normal background. Take a reading in a non-radioactive
background area and record it on the Survey Report Cover Sheet. Each
detection instrument must have a corresponding Cover Sheet and Survey Sheet.
Operational Check for GM detectors:

To ensure the instrument is functioning properly, perform the following
operational check each time it is used:
1. Take a background reading in a non-radioactive work area and compare it
with the normal background that is recorded for your meter. If there is a
major difference between the two readings, there may be an exposure
problem; the instrument may be contaminated or need repair. Also take a
background reading in the radioactive work area.
2. Check the instrument’s batteries and replace them as needed.
3. Check the instrument’s response to radiation by using a check source or
some other radioactive item.
Calibration Sticker:
Laboratory personnel are responsible for calling EHS to schedule an instrument
for its yearly calibration. Survey instruments must have current calibration
stickers. A sticker on the side or bottom of the unit indicates the instrument’s
date of last calibration, the initials of the person who performed the calibration,
and the calibration due date in red ink. Always check the due date before using
the instrument. If the calibration due date has passed, do not use it. Call EHS
immediately to arrange for calibration. For scintillation counters refer to the unit's
instruction manual and/or ask the manufacturer’s representative to perform a
background check.
Reading your survey instrument:

Refer to the owner's manual when learning how to read the survey instrument.
Most instruments at UVa are calibrated in counts per minute (CPM); some are
calibrated in mR/hr. Check the sticker to confirm that it is calibrated in CPM. The
NRC requires that survey results be read and recorded in the same units as it is
calibrated. Call EHS for further assistance.
§5.2 FIXED COUNTING SYSTEM USE INSTRUCTIONS
(e.g. LSC, gamma counter)
Fixed counting systems such as liquid scintillation spectrometers and gamma

counters may be needed to count wipes taken to assess potential laboratory
contamination. These systems must be serviced and maintained annually by the
manufacturer to insure proper operation. Call the manufacturer or EHS for
details.
The following steps are important for both portable and fixed systems:
Converting CPM units to disintegrations per minute (DPM) units:
The NRC requires that CPM readings be recorded as DPM units in the survey
records. Survey results must contain numeric values; descriptive results (e.g.
recorded as "background") are unacceptable. The equation for converting CPM
to DPM is:
CPM gross - CPM background* = DPM
detector efficiency
*RAM work area, not the normal background in a non-RAM area obtained during op-
check
Detector Efficiency:
Each detector has its own efficiency. GMs from the same manufacturer with
similar model numbers may have different efficiencies. GM detectors are not
legal survey instruments for low energy beta emitters. 3H, 14C, 33P, and 35S
surveys must be performed using a liquid scintillation counter. Efficiencies are
calculated by the Environmental Health & Safety Office and are noted on the
calibration sticker. After EHS has calibrated your GM, it will be returned with a
"Notice of Calibration" memo. Keep this memo in the Radiation Safety Notebook
between the "Assistance with Surveys" section and the Survey Record Sheets.
Call EHS if an isotope’s efficiency is unknown.
Recording Results:
Always record surveys. The NRC considers a survey incomplete if it is undoc-
umented. Always take a background reading in the areas where surveys are
performed. Record this value in the survey records. The location description
should read "background." This background reading may be different from the
normal background described earlier.
Always use ink when recording surveys and write the complete date
(Month/Day/Year).
Indicate the reason for the survey. A routine weekly survey is much different
than a spill response survey. Check the box for routine daily/weekly surveys,
after performing a regular weekly survey. Record all non-routine surveys as well.
Indicate that a follow-up survey has been performed and label it "Resurvey of
spill." This survey confirms that the cleanup was successful. (If a weekly survey
is missed, call EHS and write in the survey records, "No survey performed this
week because . . . .," initial and date.)
§ 5.4 Survey Instrument Guidelines
The following table lists the recommended instruments for performing official,
weekly, contamination surveys of radioactive material use areas. Do not use an
instrument unless you know its efficiency for the nuclide you are trying to detect.
Geiger Counter Geiger Liquid

Isotope Type of with Geiger Counter with scintillation Gamma
radiation tube NaI crystal counter Counter
H-3 Beta N N Y N
C-14 Beta N N Y N
S-35 Beta Y N Y N
P-33 Beta Y N Y N
P-32 Beta Y N Y N
I-125 Gamma N Y Y Y
I-131 Beta, Gamma Y* Y Y* Y
Cr-51 Gamma Y* Y Y Y
N = Do not use this instrument

Y = Recommended instrument
Y* = Not recommended but legal if detector efficiencies are provided.
Although I-125, I-131, and Cr-51 can be detected using a Geiger Counter with a
Geiger tube probe attached, the counting efficiencies for these nuclides are very low.
We recommend using either a sodium-iodide (NaI) probe with the survey instrument,
or a liquid scintillation or gamma counter for surveys of these radionuclides.
§6.1 PROCEDURE FOR COMMISSIONING A ROOM
All laboratory areas where radioactive materials (RAM) will be used must be
approved and properly “set up” for such use. Each lab director must complete an
"Principal Investigator (for Posession and Use of Radioactive Materials) Application"
in order to be considered for initial approval to work with RAM. PIs who wish to add
rooms to their current authorization must contact EHS either by phone, fax or e-mail
[drr2c@virginia.edu] and make a formal request. Once the request is made, the
Authorized User or a person designated by the PI will be contacted by a member of
the Radiation Safety Office to schedule the commissioning of rooms. Proper room
commissioning includes:
¨ Postings -- "Caution - Radioactive Materials" signs on entry ways to RAM-use

rooms, including cold rooms, refrigerators, storage cabinets, fume hoods and
other fixed equipment; "Security" signs on main lab entry doors, eating and
drinking exemption maps and floor tape (where applicable), informational posting
regarding workers' rights, radioactive emergency telephone numbers, etc.
¨ Radiation Safety Notebook and Radiation Safety Guide.
¨ Geiger-counter (or other survey instrument) calibration (where applicable)
¨ Waste containers (properly labeled and approved for handling and transport)
Please note that all RAM-use rooms must be properly set up by EHS before any
material can be moved into these labs and any work can begin. Willful disregard of
these requirements could result in violations of state or federal regulations or
provisions of the UVa license to possess and use RAM. The Nuclear Regulatory
Commission may issue citations, levy fines, suspend the use of radioactive materials,
or revoke the University's license to possess and use RAM as a result.
If you have any further questions regarding the commissioning of new radioactive
materials-use rooms, please contact the Radiation Safety Office at 982-4911.
§6.2
PROCEDURE FOR DECOMMISSIONING A ROOM
Only EHS personnel can remove radioactive material postings and signs and declare a
room clear for non-radioactive work or unrestricted use.
The proper method for decommissioning a radioactive material room is outlined below.
The NRC is increasingly concerned with recordkeeping. Some NRC-regulated facilities

have been permanently shut down where there is little or no knowledge of what areas
and rooms contain radioactive materials, or where there are no records of isotopes used,
amounts used, radioactive spills or clean-up actions. NRC regulations §10 CFR 30.35
"Financial Assurance & Recordkeeping for Decommissioning", require NRC licensed
institutions to maintain, in one bound notebook, a list of all radioactive-use rooms,
isotopes used both previously and presently, and reports of spills and other unusual
events.
The PI should notify EHS when the decision to decommission a radioactive room
is made. Often there will be months of lead time prior to the actual event. This advance
notice will ensure that the resources needed to assist you are available. Call EHS at
982-4911 to request the decommissioning of radioactive laboratory space.
Please provide the following information:

1. PI name and number.
2. Name of the person to contact (if different from the PI) concerning the
decommissioning survey.
3. Location of the room [include room number and building].
4. Date requested for the decommissioning.
5. Department and messenger mail address.
Your phone call provides EHS with the information to start the decommissioning process.
Someone from EHS will contact you and explain the steps to decommission a radioactive
room. The following recommendations will provide a basic guide to safely, legally, and
efficiently remove a room from your authorization.
¨ Plan ahead. The steps required for a decommissioning survey take time. You are
required to remove all radioactive material, clean or remove all contaminated
radioactive use equipment, remove all radioactive material tape from cleaned
radioactive material use equipment, clear all radioactive material work areas of all
equipment and then survey, decontaminate, and resurvey until the results indicate
that the room is free of all radioactive material contamination. EHS performs its
decommissioning survey as confirmation of your survey. It is not intended to replace
your survey.
§6.2
¨ Reduce the size and number of radioactive material work areas as soon as
possible. The decommissioning process will be easier and have a smaller impact on
your work if you can do it in stages. Your decommissioning will run more smoothly if
you begin to confine your radioactive material work space. Post your room(s) with a
notice identifying the room as no longer open for radioactive material work. Notify all
laboratory personnel of this change. Cordon off areas that have been declared non-
radioactive. Ideally, you should stop radioactive work altogether.
¨ Record all decommissioning surveys in your Radiation Safety Notebook.
¨ Do not allow unauthorized persons into your room(s) before it is

decommissioned by EHS. Painters, housekeepers, movers, or outside contractors
may not enter without immediate supervision.
¨ Consult with EHS during your survey. Call EHS at 982-4911 if you encounter any
problems or need assistance during this process.
Remember...
 Labs or equipment cannot be abandoned without decommissioning.

 Laboratory personnel are responsible for the decontamination and general cleanup
of the lab.
 Signs related to radiation and radioactive material can only be posted and removed
by EHS personnel.
 The PI is responsible for the lab until the final decommissioning is conducted by
EHS.
§7
Policy for Use of Radioactive Materials in Vivariums
The following policy describes the responsibilities of radioactive material users in UVa
Vivariums:
1. Room approval: Both the Principal Investigator and the vivarium staff must contact
Radiation Safety with an approximate start date for radioactive work. Call EHS to
request approval for work in these areas.
2. Room postings: Only Radiation Safety personnel are authorized to post new
radioactive use rooms and provide the proper waste containers. The room must be
properly posted before any radioactive material or radioactive animals are brought
into the room.
3. Radiation Safety/Precautions: The Principal Investigator is responsible for all

aspects of radiation safety in the radioactive-use rooms including:
a. Handling all radioactive excreta
b. Cleaning all cages contaminated with radioactive material
c. Labeling all cages and other items used for radioactive work with radioactive
warning tape
d. In lieu of a., b., and c., a PI or Qualified User may provide immediate supervision
of the vivarium staff in these duties. Non-radioactive work (e.g. watering and
feeding of animals) can be done without supervision as long as no bottles or trays
are removed from the room prior to being surveyed for contamination.
e. Surveying all areas and equipment at the end of the experiment
4. Room decommissionings: Initial cleanup is the responsibility of the researcher;

he/she must notify Radiation Safety at least 3 working days in advance of cleanup. A
PI or Qualified User may supervise unauthorized personnel in the cleanup. Upon
completion of cleanup, Radiation Safety must be notified. No room postings may be
removed or other items released from the room until the room and its contents have
been surveyed by Radiation Safety and found to be free of contamination. ONLY
THE RADIATION SAFETY OFFICE MAY REMOVE ROOM POSTINGS AND
RELEASE RADIOACTIVE-USE ROOMS FOR NON-RADIOACTIVE WORK.
5. Radioactive waste: It is the responsibility of the researcher to request

radioactive waste pickup before the containers are completely full. Feces should
be treated as any other biological material and called in for immediate removal as
radioactive waste. All waste must be called in to Radiation Safety for removal in a
timely manner and there should be (1) waste ticket per article of waste to be
picked up.
6. Radioactive emergencies: The vivarium staff must notify the Authorized User in
the event of a radioactive spill or other radioactive emergency; it is then the
Authorized User's responsibility to immediately notify Radiation Safety.
§7
7. Contamination surveys and radioisotope inventory logs: These must be

maintained for all radioactive vivarium rooms; records which are kept in the
researcher's main laboratory must refer to the vivarium room for all required
surveys. All surveys must be performed in accordance with standard laboratory
procedure. Surveys must be performed at least weekly or at increased frequency
if directed by Radiation Safety.
8. Bioassays: Personnel bioassays will be performed as required by the Radiation

Safety Guide.
Radiation Safety regards the use of radioactive materials in animals the same as
any other radioactive work, with the exception of the additional safety precautions
for the animals themselves. The Radiation Safety Office will provide further
training upon request for the vivarium staff and others who work there. If there
are any questions regarding this policy or the procedures to follow when working
with radioactive material in the vivarium, please call EHS at 982-4911.
§8.1 RADIATION DOSIMETER USE GUIDELINES
You may be required to wear dosimetry during your radioactive material work. The
following table will assist you in deciding whether you need to be included in the
UVa dosimetry program. Only personnel who are using radioactive materials in the
amounts shown in the table will be issued dosimetry. These guidelines are based
upon the total activity used in one month. Please call the Office of Environmental
Health & Safety at 982-4911 to request a dosimetry application.
Radioisotope(s) Activity, mCi Type of Monitoring

C-14,H-3,P-33 & S-35 any amount none required
 6 mCi none required
P-32  6 mCi to  30 mCi ring dosimeter
 30 mCi ring badge & whole body dosimeter
 50 mCi none required
Ca-45  50 mCi ring dosimeter
Low Energy Gamma Ray Emitters,  50 mCi none required
 200 keV (I-125, Tc-99m, Tl-201)  50 mCi ring and whole body dosimeter
High Energy Gamma Ray Emitters,  2 mCi none required
 200 keV (Cr-51, I-131, Co-60,  2 mCi to  5 mCi ring dosimeter
Cs-137)
 5 mCi ring badge & whole body dosimeter
HOW TO PROPERLY WEAR A DOSIMETER (BODY OR RING BADGE)
 Wear the dosimeter on the outermost garment, name facing outward.

 Wear the badge in the most appropriate location to monitor the dose.
 Keep it free of contamination.
 When a new badge is received, return the old one to EHS within 5 days.
 If a badge is lost or damaged, contact EHS immediately to arrange for a replacement.
 Never work without wearing assigned dosimetry.
 Do not store the badge near stock vials or other radioactive material.
 Do not allow a coworker to wear your badge.
 Leave your badge at work to avoid loss, damage or non-occupational exposure.
 Do not wash your badge.
 Do not intentionally expose your badge to radiation.
 Do not fold, spindle or mutilate your badge.
§8.2 RADIO-BIOASSAY GUIDELINES
Bioassay (radio-bioassay) means the evaluation of radioactive material in the human

body, whether by direct measurement (in vivo counting) or by analysis of collected
biological samples, such as urine. Radioactive material users will be subject to bioassay
measurements if certain amounts of radioactive material have been or will be used. The
conditions under which a bioassay must be performed and the required frequency are a
function of the radiotoxicity of the radioisotope in use and the probability of uptake of that
material (based on the chemical reactions involved and whether the work is performed in
a fume hood, glove box or in an open room). When a determination has been made
that bioassays will be required, a baseline evaluation (pre-use measurement)
should be performed.
1. Conditions under which bioassay is necessary

A. Iodine (Thyroid)
According to the University of Virginia license and the Nuclear Regulatory Guide
8.20, thyroid bioassays must be performed on any individual who handles in open
form, unsealed quantities of radioiodine (I-125 or I-131) that exceed those listed in
Table 1 below. EHS may also perform bioassays on individuals whose use levels
are  10% of the values shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1
ACTIVITY LEVELS ABOVE WHICH BIOASSAY FOR I-125 OR I-131 IS NECESSARY
Activity handled in unsealed form

Volatile or dispersible Bound to non-volatile agent
Types of Operation (mCi) (mCi)
Process in open room or bench, with possible 1 10

escape of iodine from process vessel.
Process with possible escape of iodine carried 10 100

out within a fume hood of adequate design, face
velocity, and performance reliability.
 amount used by individual in a calendar quarter
In addition to individuals handling the material, it may be necessary to perform

bioassays on individuals who work sufficiently close to use processes to make
intake possible. This may include persons observing or assisting in an iodination
procedure. Determination of which individuals require a bioassay will be made by
EHS staff.
§8.2
B. Other Radionuclides
Use of more than 75 mCi of any unsealed radionuclide in a process requires
evaluation by EHS staff of the need for bioassay. EHS should be contacted in
advance of any such use to allow for the performance of baseline measurements
and post-work measurements within 24 hours.
2. Types of Bioassays
a. Before working with radioiodine, call Environmental Health & Safety to
schedule a baseline bioassay.
b. An initial bioassay must be performed between 6 and 72 hours following start-
up of work with radioiodine in amounts described above, and every two weeks
thereafter for a 3-month period.
c. Routine bioassays - After the initial 3-month monitoring period, bioassays will
be performed quarterly when working with quantities specified in Table 1.
3. Identification of persons requiring a bioassay

All new users are instructed in the Radiation Safety Guide Lecture to contact EHS
for inclusion in the bioassay program if they use quantities of radioiodine shown in
Table I-1. EHS will also perform quarterly surveys and routinely review our
radioactive material package check-in book to identify persons requiring
bioassays.
§9
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL SPILLS
Spills of quantities of radioactive material normally present in laboratories at the University

present little or no immediate external exposure hazard. Of greater concern is the possibility of
internal and external contamination of personnel and the spreading of contamination into
uncontrolled areas. Immediate action should be taken to prevent the spread of
contamination unless an injured person requires immediate medical attention, volatile
radioactive materials are present, or unacceptable external radiation exposure rates exist.
Radioactive spills, which occur weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm, should be

handled in the following manner:
If a radioactive emergency involves a fire, injury or risk to personnel or

property, call Voice Communications at 4-2012 and request 911 assistance for
the appropriate emergency services. EHS will be notified immediately.
If there is no fire, injury or risk to personnel or property, confine the spill to the
smallest area possible by using paper towels or other absorbent materials and
dispose of as radioactive material. Do not allow spilled radioactive material to
enter the drainage system, if possible. Call EHS at 2-4911 for assistance, not
911.
For any radioactive spills which occur during evening hours, weekends, or holidays:
Call Voice Communications at 4-2012 and request 911 assistance for the
appropriate emergency services in the event of a radioactive emergency
that involves fire, injury or risk to personnel or property. If there is any
problem reaching someone at Voice Communications, call 911 immediately.
Tell the dispatcher that the emergency involves radioactive material. EHS will
be notified. Calling 911 directly does not guarantee that EHS will be notified in
a timely manner.
If there is no fire, injury or risk to personnel or property, call Voice

Communications at 4-2012 and request EHS assistance, not 911 assistance.
1. In any case be prepared to give the operator the following information: Lab location and
phone number, radioisotope and activity, a brief description of the incident.
2. If you remain in the laboratory, keep the phone free in case EHS needs to contact you. If
you must leave the lab, call EHS from your new location. Only leave the lab if required by
the emergency or requested by emergency response personnel.
§9
Minor spills are those which do not result in:
 external personnel contamination

 radioactive material ingestion
 unacceptable external radiation exposure
 loss of use of laboratory facilities
1. Notify other personnel in the room where the spill occurs.

2. Control access to the spill area as soon as possible by posting warnings on all
entrances into the room and by closing off the affected area to prevent the spread of
contamination.
3. If there is no external exposure to laboratory personnel (i.e. clothing, shoes), put on
protective clothing (e.g. gloves, shoe covers) and clean up the spill. Then call EHS
to report the incident.
4. If there is radioactive contamination on clothing, shoes, or personnel, call EHS for
assistance as soon as possible. Potentially contaminated personnel must not leave
the area until they have been surveyed by either EHS or laboratory personnel.
5. If radioactive material goes down a floor drain or spills out of the authorized room
into unauthorized areas, call EHS as soon as possible for assistance.
6. If you are unsure how to properly clean up the spill, call EHS as soon as possible for
assistance. EHS can offer consultation, equipment and assistance.
7. All clean-up surveys must be documented in your Laboratory Survey Records.
8. A written report must be submitted to EHS within five (5) working days of the
incident for all spills that involve contaminated personnel or involve unauthorized
areas.
§9
Major spills are those that result in:
 external personnel contamination

 radioactive material ingestion
 unacceptable external radiation exposure
 loss of use of laboratory facilities
1. Notify other personnel in the room where the spill occurs.

2. Call EHS as soon as possible for assistance even if no personnel are contaminated.
EHS will assist you in planning the decontamination procedures.
3. Control access to the spill area as soon as possible by posting warnings on all
entrances to the room and by barricading the affected area to prevent the spread of
contamination.
4. Do not remain in the room unless spill mediation is required. Stay in the immediate
vicinity of the affected room to prevent the spread of contamination and provide
EHS with information and assistance.
5. Begin personnel surveys to determine if individuals are contaminated. Assume that
all persons in the affected area may be contaminated. Do not allow anyone to
leave the immediate vicinity until EHS has confirmed the results of your preliminary
surveys.
6. EHS will control access to all areas where the exposure rate is greater than 2
mR/hr. Your detector must be calibrated in mR/hr to obtain a reading in mR/hr;
most UVa survey instruments are calibrated in CPM. EHS has instruments
calibrated in mR/hr, which can measure the exposure rate.
7. With permission and possible assistance by EHS, put on protective clothing
provided by EHS and begin decontamination and cleanup.
8. All clean-up surveys must be documented in your Laboratory Survey Records.
9. A written report must be submitted to EHS within five (5) working days of the
incident for all spills that involve contaminated personnel or involve unauthorized
areas.
§10 SECURITY
The NRC and the University of Virginia are concerned about the security and
accountability of radioactive material in your laboratory. Radioactive material must
be under the direct control of authorized individuals or secured to prevent
unauthorized access or removal. You must keep your doors and equipment which
contain radioactive material locked when you or other authorized persons are not
present.
Your inventory system must be able to account for loss or theft of material. Surveys
should be thorough in order to detect and minimize the spread of contamination.
The Radiation Safety Committee requires that every PI submit a security plan for
his/her radioactive material work area(s). The Environmental Health & Safety Office
will routinely inspect these areas for security violations. The Radiation Safety
Committee has adopted an enforcement policy outlining disciplinary actions which
will be taken against individual violators, their supervisors and the PI.
The University of Virginia’s Radioactive Materials Security Policy is enumerated in

the “Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Security of Radioactive
Material.” Sanctions for security violations, which were approved on March 6, 1996
by the Radiation Safety Committee, are also included in this section.
§11
EHS CORRESPONDENCE
You may keep all correspondence from Environmental Health & Safety in this section.

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University of Virginia

Environmental Health & Safety

Radiation Safety Notebook

§1 EHS phone/address Listings

§9 Radiation Emergency Procedures

§11 EHS Correspondence

Office of Environmental Health & Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982-4911

Emergency Response during working hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982-4911

Ralph Allen, Director, Radiation Safety Officer. . . . . . . . . . . .982-4911, roa2s@virginia.edu

NAME TITLE PHONE RESPONSIBILITIES

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI): _______________________ PI NO.__________

¨ Authorized Radionuclides and Limits

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL USERS

You must receive instruction

Individuals with no previous experience working with radioactive material.

 Individuals with previous experience

 Date of the course

Other individuals who may require training

Non-Occupational Exposure (General Public)

 Annual Retraining Requirement for All Radiation Workers

§2.3 APPLICATION FORMS

The PI may commission new rooms or decommission existing rooms by calling

Use of radioactive materials in human investigation (research) must be approved

PROCEDURES FOR OPENING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PACKAGES

2. Put on a lab coat and gloves to prevent personal contamination.

5. Carefully open outer packaging and locate inner container of radioactive

9. If contamination is suspected, wipe the external surface of the final source

a. If contaminated, treat this material as radioactive waste.

ISOTOPE HALF-LIFE TYPE OF SURVEY INSTRUMENTS

1 Curie = 2.22 x 1012 dis/min 1 Curie = 3.7 x 1010 dis/sec

A separate inventory sheet must be maintained for each radionuclide.

Radionuclide inventory sheets must be maintained in the laboratory and available

There are two methods for documenting the laboratory’s inventory:

Inventory logs must be kept up-to-date. Failure to maintain a centralized inventory

Intra-university transfers of radioisotopes are allowed. However, only the PI or an EHS-

 The inventory must be updated when new RAM is received.

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT & DISPOSAL PROCEDURES

¨ Radioactive waste must be segregated according to radioisotope.

¨ Radioactive waste must be segregated by physical form.

2. Bulk Liquids: Any volume of liquid waste greater than 50 ml is defined as a

¨ Package radioactive waste in appropriate containers. EHS provides

¨ Radioactive/EPA classified hazardous chemical waste (mixed hazardous

¨ Survey waste container for contamination. EHS must be notified if

¨ Do not put non-radioactive waste in radioactive waste containers. If the

¨ Keep accurate records of the contents of radioactive waste containers.

¨ Never store bulk liquid waste uncapped.

¨ Treat bulk liquids to prevent gas formation. Microorganisms should be killed

¨ Biological material must be packaged to prevent leakage and stored in a

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL WASTE TICKET INSTRUCTIONS

The following information is supplied to assist in completing the waste ticket:

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL WASTE TICKET INSTRUCTIONS

The following information is supplied to assist in completing the waste ticket:

When work with radioactive material is performed in a laboratory, at least one

Areas found to have unacceptable radiation levels or contamination must be shielded

The proper method for recording a radiation survey entails:

1. completing all items on the University of Virginia Laboratory Survey Sheet;

Radiation Survey Report Cover Sheet

1) Geiger-Muller (GM) Counters are required to be calibrated annually by EHS or a

2) Liquid Scintillation and Gamma Counters should be serviced annually. During

PORTABLE INSTRUMENT USE INSTRUCTIONS

Operational Check for GM detectors:

Reading your survey instrument:

Fixed counting systems such as liquid scintillation spectrometers and gamma

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI): _____________ PI NO.