Auburn University (AU) is licensed by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) to possess and use radioactive materials (RAM). Under the terms of this license, the University must tightly control how radioactive materials are obtained to ensure to ensure that only authorized laboratories and personnel receive them. Personnel not are not permitted to directly receive radioactive materials from outside the University. The AU Radiation Safety Program facilitates the ordering process and receipt of radioactive material shipments from third-party vendors. All radioactive materials must be shipped to the designated, correct Radioactive Receiving address (1161 W Samford Ave, Bldg 9, Auburn, AL 36849). Individuals placing orders must be authorized to possess and use radioactive materials. An order request form is provided to notify Radiation Safety of an expected shipment. All radioactive materials must be properly received inventoried and tracked; therefore, the Radiation Safety Office must be notified in advance to make appropriate arrangements.
ORDERING EXEMPT QUANTITY RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has determined that exempt quantity sources, which are radioactive sources containing very small amounts of radioactivity and used under certain conditions, do not present a significant hazard. An example of exempt quantity of radioactive materials includes button sources that are typically used in instructional labs and for meter calibrations. Although exempt quantity sources are not regulated in the same manner as other radioactive materials, Radiation Safety Program prefers to be aware of all radioactive materials present on campus, including exempt quantity sources. Radioactive Materials Users are encouraged to contact the RSO to discuss the purchase and delivery of exempt quantity
PLANNING TO USE URANIUM OR THORIUM
Regulations require educational institutions to limit their total campus-wide inventory of uranium and thorium to no more than 3.3 pounds. To comply with this limit, laboratories must notify Radiation Safety of all orders and inventories of uranium and thorium. Laboratories must consult with the Radiation Safety Office before ordering or using uranium or thorium, regardless of the amount or concentration. Radiation Safety will include all uranium and thorium materials in the University’s overall inventory and work with the laboratories to determine appropriate disposal requirements . In some cases, uranium and thorium waste may be required to be managed as radioactive waste. Laboratories must coordinate with Radiation Safety to establish an appropriate disposal plan before bringing uranium and thorium materials onto campus.
DELIVERY OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PACKAGES
All radioactive material packages are delivered to Radiation Safety, which is located at the following address:
Risk Management & Safety
1161 W. Samford Ave., Building 9
Auburn, AL 36849
The Radiation Safety Office will enter information about the radioactive material into the tracking database and generate a “Use Inventory Sheet,” which will be given to the authorized personnel along with the package. Radiation Safety staff will also survey each level of packaging to ensure that there is no external contamination on any part of the package or on the exterior of the vial (if applicable). Once the survey is complete, the package will be delivered directly to the authorized user’s laboratory personnel.
PACKAGE RECEIPT
The Radiation Safety Office utilizes a radioisotope inventory and tracking database as the primary tool for inventorying and tracking radioactive materials. Upon receipt of a radioactive material package, Radiation Safety reviews the shipping documents and material information and enters that information into the database. A unique RAM ID Number is assigned, and a label is affixed to the actual RAM container. Radiation Safety will provide a Use Inventory Sheet and deliver the package to the lab.
USE INVENTORY SHEET AND PHYSICAL GUIDANCE
When a user withdraws RAM from their shipment (e.g. vial), the user must use the Use Inventory Sheet to enter the date of withdrawal, their name, and the volume (amount) removed. This is especially important in accounting for all presence of RAM on campus. The Radiation Safety Office periodically requires each lab laboratories to conduct a physical inventory of their RAM stock and verify that it matches the inventory listed in the tracking database. Instructions for completing physical inventory are provided in the inventory request email sent to each laboratory.
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DIPOSAL AND GUIDANCE
All radioactive waste must be kept separate from non-radioactive waste. Under no circumstances may radioactive materials be disposed of in regular trash or poured down drains. All radioactive waste is considered controlled waste and must be placed in the designated radioactive waste containers. Disposal Records are maintained by the University and are subject to review by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). Radiation Safety provides approved containers for solid and liquid radioactive waste upon request. Laboratories must contact the Radiation Safety Office to obtain appropriate disposal containers. It is the responsibility of the laboratory to supply secondary containers, such as a plastic bus tray, to prevent waste from leaking or contaminating other surfaces. Laboratories must supply their own shielding for waste that may cause external exposures to workers in the area. The Radiation Safety Office should be consulted for shielding recommendations when necessary.
Radioactive waste containers must be kept in a designated location within the laboratory and should not be moved to minimize the risk of any possibility of contamination. Broken glass presents waste, this poses a unique hazard and must be disposed of only in designated broken-glass containers. Glassware and sharps used in RAM experiments must be placed in approved containers that are sturdy, properly lined, and in good condition. At a minimum, these containers must be labeled with the ‘Caution – Radiation’ and ‘Caution – Waste Laboratory Glassware’ or ‘Caution – Waste Laboratory Sharps as appropriate.
WASTE PICKUP
To request a radioactive waste pickup, laboratory personnel must complete the waste disposal form in full and fill out the waste disposal form and place a copy on the waste container. An electronic copy must also be submitted to radiation safety to provide details such as waste type, isotope, laboratory location and requested pick-up date. Please do not overfill the fiberboard drums and do not place non-radioactive trash in radioactive waste containers.
