Radiation Safety

Policy Statement

Adelphi University is committed to supporting the educational mission of the institution through efficient information storage and retrieval, appropriate auditing procedures, professional personnel services, and a safe environment.

Reason for Policy

Because of the usage of radiation at the University, it is necessary that proper procedures be employed in the purchase, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation-emitting devices.

Who Is Governed by this Policy

Faculty, Staff, and Students

Policy

Policies and procedures related to proper handling of radioactive materials and devices listed below:

• All the open gamma sources should be handled in a closed fume hood fitted with gloves for opening the sources received, preparing the sources, and for temporary storage before discarding them as radioactive waste. The fume hood should be maintained at negative pressure so that radioactive materials may not escape into the room. This can be easily realized by incorporating an exhaust fan open directly to the atmosphere.
• Radioactive sources are often a source of hazard to the inadvertent workers such as other people working in the same room or even janitorial staff, etc. Therefore, it is important that all the radioactive materials should be labeled accordingly.
• 所有处理放射性材料的实验室都应配备与实验室使用的辐射源类型相适应的可工作和校准的辐射监测器。该房间还应贴上含有放射性物质的标签。这是必要的，以防意外火灾。
• 所有处理放射源的工作人员在处理完放射源后，都会监测自己的手和身体其他部位是否可能受到污染。污染将由背景之上的计数率和统计不确定性来决定。我们可以定义一个简单的规则来处理统计上的不确定性。
• In case of accidental spills over the body, the person should immediately take a shower using water and soap and report the accident to the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) It is important that the nature of the accident be reported which includes the details of the (1) radioactive source (2) chemical form of the source (3) nature of the accident such as part of the body exposed and (4) amount of radioactive material involved.
• 所有放射源应尽可能存放在指定的房间内，并在入口处贴上适当的标签，同时也应存放在存放材料的房间内，以避免意外和无意的不当处理。此外，如果发生火灾，这也会提醒人们。

Copies of the regulations must be kept in all lab rooms which use radioactive material. Allprofessors and their studentswho wish to use radioactive material at the University must provide proof of training and competence. Each professor must create standard operating procedures (SOPs)for each radioactive material they will use.

Radiation Safety Committee

1. The use of radioactive materials and radiation-emitting devices at Adelphi University will be reviewed annually and monitored by a Radiation Safety Committee (RSC). This Committee is appointed by the Safety Committee and the President and is responsible directly to the President. The responsibilities of the RSC will be consistent with NYS and NRC requirements.
2. The RSC consists of a Chair; the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO); representatives from the departments that utilize or handle radioactive materials or radiation devices; The Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Departments; the Director for Risk Management and additional members who are experienced in dealing with radioactive materials, ionizing or non-ionizing radiation.
3. The RSC meets annually and at such other times as deemed necessary by the RSO.

Adelphi University Radiation Safety Officer

1. The University’s Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) performs the daily implementation of policies and procedures regarding the safe use of radioisotopes and sources of radiation. The RSO:
   1. Ensure that each user of radioisotopes or radiation sources is in compliance with regard to the posting of notices to workers, receiving and opening of packages containing radioisotopes, storage and use of radioisotopes, surveys of work areas, storage and disposal of radioactive wastes, and maintenance of records of the radiation safety procedures.
   2. Perform leak/swipe tests of various types of sources and conduct such tests and maintain records as required in the New York State Regulations for the Control of ionizing Radiation. All packages and boxes received at Adelphi University as new radiation sources will be swiped by the RSO before they are released to the Professor or department using the material.
      1. Procedure for conducting smear wipe surveys for radioactive contamination:
         Research laboratories where unsealed sources of radioactive material are used shall be surveyed weekly.Pay special attention to posted work areas, hoods, waste disposal areas, storage areas, floor surfaces. Also check non-use areas in labs such as desks, trash containers, phones, and areas where possible cross-contamination might occur.

         Conduct swipe tests to measure contamination levels from H-3, C-14, S-35, and/or another beta-emitting radionuclide with decay energies less than 300 KeV. Swipe tests may be used to detect other beta-emitting radionuclides if desired. Swipe tests are performed by wiping a piece of dry filter paper or cotton over an area of 100 square centimeters.

         Count smear wipes for removable contamination in an appropriate counting device (i.e. liquid scintillation counter or beta counting system)Record results

      2. Procedure for conducting a meter survey for radioactive contamination:
         Radiation meter surveys may only be performed for isotopes emitting gamma radiation or beta particles with an energy greater than 300 KeV. Prior to conducting a radiation meter survey, the following checks shall be performed:
         1. All radiation detection instruments must be calibrated annually. Verify the meter to be used is in calibration
         2. Verify proper battery operation by taking the main switch to the “Battery Test” position (or equivalent) and observing the needle deflection to the “Battery Test” (or equivalent) position
         3. Verify the physical condition of the instrument is satisfactory
         4. Verify the instrument cable is intact, in good physical condition, and does not have any cuts or tears in the insulation
         5. Set the audible response switch to the “On” position and set the response switch to the “F” (fast response) position
         6. Verify the meter has been checked for proper response against a source of known strength on the day of use.
         7. Hold the radiation detector between 0.5 and 1 cm from the surface to be surveyed and move at a rate of 3-5 cm per second.NOTE: holding the probe at an excessive distance or moving the probe too rapidly may result in not detecting radioactive contamination. Holding the probe too close to the surface surveyed may result in contamination of the probe.
         8. Record the highest net count rate reading noted on the survey map as noted. To determine the net count rate, subtract background count rate from the instrument reading. For example, if you have 50 cpm from background radiation (measured outside the laboratory) and the instrument reads 300 cpm, your net count rate is 250 cpm.
         9. Convert this count rate to a disintegration rate using the meter efficiency for the isotope in use. For example, if a count rate of 250 counts per minute is noted for P-32 and the meter efficiency for P-32 is 50%, the disintegration rate is 500 disintegrations per minute (DPM). {DPM=CMP/Efficiency}
   3. Maintain records required by theNew York State Regulations for the Control of Radiation. The information will be obtained from each licensee at intervals not to exceed 1 year.
   4. Stop any operations not in compliance with the above New York State Regulations or with the Adelphi University Radiation Safety Manual until the individual has corrected the violation.
2. 大学RSO可将某些辐射安全工作委派给其他有特殊需要的大学部门的普通雇员。
3. The University RSO and his designee are authorized to immediately stop any operation that may compromise health and safety at the University or which may result in a breach of any local, state, or federal environmental health and safety regulation.
4. The University RSO must meet the training and experience as specified by guidelines issued by the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Radiation Control. The fee for license renewal shall be paid by the University.

Definitions

此时，该策略没有与之关联的定义。在定期政策审查时，将对这一领域进行评估，以确定是否需要额外的信息来补充政策。

Procedures

Procedures for Use, Procurement, Receipt and Storage of Radioactive Materials

1. 除纽约州卫生部豁免的放射性材料外，所有打算使用放射性材料的人都必须持有许可证，或在大学的许可证上被列为授权用户，在采购放射性材料或设备之前，必须与大学RSO联系，以获得适当的授权，并简要介绍控制和条例。授权使用者将负责确保所有工人和学生在其监督下遵守安全和适当的程序。
2. Orders for radioactive materials must be submitted through the University RSO prior to placement of the order. The ordering department must coordinate with the University’s RSO to identify the area to which the radioactive materials should be delivered.
3. When shipments of radioactive materials are received, the RSO will swipe test the package. The RSO will inventory the shipment to determine the type of radioisotope, chemical form of the radioisotope, and quantity in uCi or mCi. The shipment will then be stored in the freezer in room S-06, until needed by the professor.
4. Radioactive material containers which emits no more than2 mr/hrmay be stored in a secured area in the user’s laboratory. Sources used by the Biology and Chemistry departments are Tritium and Carbon 14 which are both low Beta emitters.
   Any radioactive materials emitting more than2 mr/hrof radiation must be stored in a locked facility shielded to reduce radiation to no more than 2 mr/hr at the surface. The shielded storage facility will be provided by the University and approved by the University RSO.
5. 由于联邦和州有关采购放射性物质的规定，所有此类采购必须通过采购订单。

Procedures for Use, Procurement, Receipt and Storage of X-Ray Generating Equipment

1. All persons who intend to use x-ray generating equipment with x-rays emitted purposely or unintentionally from non-radioactive sources by devices requiring registration by the New York State Department of Health (including, but not limited to, equipment such as electron microscopes, x-ray diffraction equipment, etc.) must become listed as an authorized user on theUniversity’s Certificate of Registration (COR). The authorized user will be responsible for assuring that safe and proper procedures are followed by all supervised personnel. Proper maintenance related to x-ray safety (particularly x-ray safety interlocks and shielding) will be coordinated by the University Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), to assure that it is performed at appropriate intervals by authorized personnel. Any person planning to apply for a COR must notify the University RSO prior to filing for an application.
2. 在购买设备之前，必须联系大学的辐射安全委员会(RSC)，通过一份PO的副本，从其他机构转移，贷款或捐赠x射线产生设备的非放射源发出的x射线。在采购任何x射线产生设备之前，RSC必须对控制和法规进行适当的授权和简报。
3. 发运的x射线设备必须由适当的持牌人拆开，他们必须监督设备的开箱和安装，以确保设备在安装和运行期间泄漏的x射线辐射不会超过纽约州卫生部豁免的数额。所有携带或运送到校园的x光设备，使用者会事先通知RSC。
4. The University RSC must be notified immediately of x-ray equipment safety interlock or shielding failures. Affected x-ray equipmentcannotbe operated without repairs formally approved by the RSO. X-ray equipment must be stored in a manner which ensures that intentional or accidental unauthorized equipment operation is not reasonably possible. The University RSO must be contacted to review the status of any stored x-ray producing equipment.

Procedures for Disposal of Radioactive Materials

1. The disposal of radioactive materials is strictly controlled by federal and state regulations. In order to assure compliance with these regulations, initial disposal of materials by a user MUST be done only after consultation with the University’s RSO.
2. General guidelines for the disposal of radioactive materials are contained in Appendix A-See chart

Procedures for Disposal of X-Ray Generating Equipment

1. The disposal or transfer of x-ray generating equipment from non-radioactive sources is strictly controlled by federal and state regulations. In order to ensure compliance with these regulations, the disposal or transfer of x-ray equipment should be done only after consultation with the University RSO.
2. The general guidelines for the disposal of x-ray generating equipment from non-radioactive sources (See chart Appendix A).

Emergency Action Procedures

1. Always contact the Radiation Safety Officer in case of any emergency. Specific recommended actions for emergencies are given in the Adelphi University Public Safety Manual.
2. For further emergency aid, contact the following the Radiation Safety Committee member:

Hannah Cates, PhD
University Radiation Safety Officer
X3885

Appendix A
Radioactive Waste Management Procedures
Aqueous Waste	Do not discard radioactive wastes into sinks Use plastic carboys available from Radioactive Waste Hauler Contents should NOT exceed the “fill line” on the container Secure the cap of container tightly Attach a Radioactive Waste Pickup Receipt
Liquid Scintillation Vials	Vials with hazardous chemical(s) are a mixed waste – Segregate securely capped vials according to radionuclide (-H-3 and/or C-14 may be disposed of together) Segregate securely capped vials according to cocktail type Place vials in shipping tray or box -trays with the same radionuclides may be grouped together Attach a Caution -Radioactive Material label, a Chemical Waste Tag, and a Radioactive Waste Pickup Receipt
Source Vials	Empty vials may be disposed of in a step-can as dry solid radioactive waste If source vial contains radioactive fluid: -Place securely capped vials in a small box -Attach a Caution – Radioactive Material label and a Radioactive Waste Pickup Receipt
Other Types of Dry/Solid Material	Use labeled step-can containers available from Radioactive Waste Hauler Attach a Radioactive Waste Pickup Receipt

All radioactive waste must be inventoried in the presence of the Radiation Safety Officer. Written records of all radioactive waste must be maintained by the Professor producing the waste and the Radiation Safety Office.

Forms

此政策目前没有与之相关的表格。在定期政策审查时，将对这一领域进行评估，以确定是否需要额外的信息来补充政策。

Related Information

This policy does not have related information at this time. Upon periodic policy review this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Document History

• Last Reviewed Date: December, 2020
• Last Revised Date: February, 2018
• Policy Origination Date: Not known

Who Approved This Policy

Dr. Hannah Cates