Radioactive Materials Training and Monitoring

TRAINING AND MONITORING

MONITORING BADGES AND DOSIMETRY

RADIATION SAFETY DURING PREGNANCY

TRAINING REQUIRMENTS

The Risk Management and Safety (RMS) Radiation Safety Program supports the safe use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipmentat Auburn University in accordance with the rules, regulations, licenses, and permits issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Radiation safety training is required for all personnel using radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment at the University. Trainingcovers basic radiation protection principles and the applicable University policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Completion of Auburn University radiation safety training is required for all users, regardless of prior training completed at other institutions. Questions regarding radiation safety training should be directed to the RSO.

Radiation safety training is conducted in two parts that must be completed consecutively. The first part of training is conducted by the Radiation Safety Office and can be scheduled on an individual or group basis in BioRAFT. Following the training, users will be expected to complete a short take-home quiz. The completed quiz may be emailed to the Radiation Safety Office for credit. The second part of training, referred to as ‘on-the-job’ or ‘hands-on’ training, is completed in coordination with the Principal Investigator (or designee). This portion focuses on, laboratory-specific procedures, safe handling practices, security of radioactive materials, and emergency response protocols. Users should complete a Certificate of Training to be kept on record in the laboratory. Each laboratory is responsible for maintaining records of hands-on training, including the names of trained individuals and the dates training was completed.

PERSONNEL MONITORING

Radiation monitoring badges (whole body and ring badges) are used to measure how much radiation a user may receive at work. These badges are designed to measure external radiation only. Individuals who work in radiation areas or with radioactive materials may be required to wear a personal radiation monitoring badge. In Alabama, monitoring is required if an adult worker is likely to receive 500 millirem (mrem) or more per year Whether a badge is required depends on the type of radiation and the work being performed. Please consult with the Principal Investigator (PI) to determine if a monitoring badge is needed. Not everyone who works with radioactive materials or radiation‑producing equipment is required to wear one.

Radiation Safety will help determine whether a monitoring badge is needed by reviewing the following factors:

  • The individual’s potential radiation exposure
  • The type of radiation source
  • The nature, frequency, and duration of exposure, and
  • The quantity of radioactive material that will be handled at any one time.

Each radiation monitoring badge is assigned to one individual only and must not be shared. Badges are typically exchanged quarterly or semi-annually, depending on where the badge is worn and the expected level of radiation exposure. The Radiation Safety Office is responsible for delivering, collecting, and exchanging badges. Once the badge is issued, the individual wearing it is responsible for proper care of the badge. If a badge is damaged, lost, or accidentally exposed to additional non-occupational radiation (e.g., through airport security scanners), the badge wearer must notify the Radiation Safety Office immediately so the badge can be replaced or evaluated. This helps ensure the accuracy and completeness of the radiation worker’s occupational radiation dose record. Radiation Safety maintains permanent records of all badge readings. To obtain records of occupational radiation dosimetry from previous employers, a signed Dose History Authorization form must be submitted to the Radiation Safety Office. Reports can only be released with the written authorization of the individual whose exposure was monitored. Individuals who would like to review their quarterly or semi-annual exposure results may contact the Radiation Safety Office.

USING AND WEARING RADIATION MONITORING BADGES

The Radiation Safety Office recommends users wear their whole-body badge on a part of the body between the neck and waist that is closest to the source of radiation during radiation work. The whole-body badge contains special filters that help identify the type and the energy of radiation, so it is important that the front of the badge faces the radiation source while in use. g the palm of the hand. When wearing gloves, the ring badge should be worn inside the glove to prevent contamination. Users must be sure to recover the ring badge before discarding the glove, so it is not accidentally left behind.

MONITORING BADGE GUIDELINES

  • Do not share your badge or wear another person’s badge. Radiation dosimeters aid in detecting your legal dose of record. If your badge is lost or damaged, notify the Radiation Safety Office immediately.
  • Do not intentionally expose badges to radiation. Any intentional tampering with badges is considered a serious legal matter.
  • Do not wear badges during medical x-rays or other medical radiation treatment. University-issued badges are used to measure occupational dose only, not medical dose.
  • The Radiation Safety Office is responsible for exchanging badges at the end of each monitoring period (quarterly and semiannual). Ensure your badge is available during the exchange period. Notify Radiation Safety if you are no longer working with radiation.

DOSE REPORTS

After each monitoring period, all badges are collected and sent to the manufacturer for processing. The RSO receives and reviews the dose reports as they become available. Auburn University has established dose investigation levels. If a dose is reported that exceeds these levels, the badge wearer will be notified and asked to help identify the activities or conditions that may have contributed to the increased exposure during this monitoring period. The RSO will review the cause of the exposure and radiation work practices with laboratory staff to help minimize future doses. The RSO reviews all dose reports quarterly and follows up with users when a dose of concern is identified.
Doses are reported in units of millirems (mrem). The minimum reported dose for x-rays for body badges is 10 mrem and for ring badges is 20 mrem. If no dose is reported, the total dose received was less than the minimum reported dose (identified by M).

ADPH-ORC

Dose Limits
Dose Type Dose Limit
Total Effective Dose Equivalent (TEDE) 5 rem per year
Total Organ Dose Equivalent (TODE) 50 rem per year to any individual organ or tissue (except the lens of the eye)
Lens Dose Equivalent 15 rem per year to the lens of the eye
Shallow Dose Equivalent 50 rem per year to the skin or any extremity
Auburn University Investigational Levels
Investigation Level Investigation Dose Limit Investigation Details
Level 1 Investigation 100 mrem Individuals are notified of exposure
Level 2 Investigation 300 mrem Individuals are asked to submit a letter of acknowledgment and interviewed by the RSO to discuss work practices

 

RADIATION SAFETY DURING PREGNANCY

Individuals who are pregnant and work with radioactive materials, or near areas where radioactive materials are used, may have concerns about potential radiation exposure to the developing baby . These individuals are encouraged to contact the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for a confidential consultation to assess any potential prenatal radiation risk. The RSO will handle inquiries confidentially. At the employee’s request, the RSO can:

  • Explain the risks of prenatal radiation exposure
  • Evaluate potential radiation exposure
  • Provide information on submitting a Declaration of Pregnancy
  • Issue a radiation monitoring badge to measure fetal dose during pregnancy (if a Declaration of Pregnancy is submitted)

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has established limits on fetal radiation dose under specific conditions. These limits apply only if a worker voluntarily submits a written Declaration of Pregnancy to Auburn University including the estimated date of conception. An individual who submits this notice is considered a Declared Pregnant Worker. Submission of a declaration is voluntary, and it may be withdrawn at any time. For Declared Pregnant Workers, ADPH limits radiation exposure to the embryo/fetus to no more than 500 mrem over the entire pregnancy, with no substantial variation in the monthly exposure (>50 mrem). In rare cases where there is a high potential for exceeding 500 mrem over the entire pregnancy, temporary modifications to job duties may be recommended.