Radiation safety disposal

Caution Handle all radioactive substances according to the radiation safety regulations instituted at each facility approved to handle such materials. Use adequate precautions to protect personal safety and the environment. Dispose of radioactive waste only by following approved guidelines. 

A protocol for the light microscope radioautography of Lilium longiflorum pollen tubes labeled with [14C]-proline follows. This protocol, which does not require tissue embedding in paraffin or Paraplast, can be modified for paraffin-embedded tissues see Chapter 2). Thus, by employment of the protocol, together with the preceding introductory information in this chapter, one should be able to derive a protocol applicable to the cells or tissue in question. The performance of the protocol requires approval of an institution s Radiation Safety Officer. An inventory of incoming radionuclides, their presence in secondary containers, and their waste must be carefully recorded. The waste must be further broken down into solid waste, liquid waste, and animal carcasses to aid in its proper disposal. 

In any case, and albeit the different regulation in different countries, as a general principle only licensed personnel working in an authorized facility are authorized to handle and use radiopharmaceuticals. Facilities and procedures are subject to periodic inspection by official radiation safety officers that control production and handling of radioactive material, its transportation, proper use, as well as personnel dosimetry and radioactive waste disposal. 

This assay is based on the previously published procedure (10). It includes the use of ATP radiolabeled with which has a half-life of 14 days. It is important to use the [a- P]ATP within a week and a half after receiving it. Otherwise the radioactive levels become too low to perform the assay. Since P is a p-emitter, adequate shielding has to be used to protect against exposure. Consult with your institution s radiation safety office to follow safety precautions for your work place regarding use, disposal, and storage of radioactive material. 

Assurance of competent staff begins by preparing position descriptions that specify the educational requirements, operational experience, and duties of the laboratory personnel. The qualifications of the supervisors, analysts, and instrument operators who are hired must match these descriptions. Each staff position should have a set of core training specifications (e.g., radiation safety, chemical safety, waste minimization and disposal, quality assurance) plus specific training in its area of responsibility. Table 13.3 provides suggested position titles, educational requirements, and general responsibilities for the optimal laboratory staff. 

The disarmament policy conducted at present by states possessing nuclear weapons after the cold war has both positive aspects that are aimed at promoting peace on the Earth, as well as a number of security problems that are common to mankind on the whole. Among these problems, the most complicated are the provision of highly reliable radiation safety for the personal and the population as well as environmental protection when dismantling nuclear weapons and disposal of the resulting fissile and radioactive wastes. 

The Russian Federation (RF) Ministry of Health has made supplementary provisions to ensure the radiation safety of these operations. In a special RF Government Decree (1994), a comprehensive research and practical program titled Radiation Safety and Medico-Hygienic Provision of Operations on Dismantling Nuclear Weapons Including Plutonium Disposal (1994-1998) was approved. 

Not only must the experimental radioactive materials be stored properly, but all of the waste products which could contain any residual active materials must be kept and stored within the laboratory until they can be disposed of safely, usually by a radiation safety specialist. The temporary storage of radioactive waste gives rise to the possibility of accidental removal of the radioactive waste as ordinary trash. Any trash containers containing radioactive waste should be distinctively marked, and custodial persormel should receive special training to recognize the... 

While the license is in effect, the NRC has the right to make inspections of the facility, the byproduct material, and the areas where the byproduct material is in use or stored. These inspections have to be at reasonable hours, but they are almost always unannounced. The inspector also will normally ask to see records of such items as surveys, personnel exposure records, transfers and receipts of radioactive materials, waste disposal records, instrument calibrations, radiation safety committee minutes, documentation of any committee actions, and any other records relevant to compliance with the terms of the license and compliance with other parts of 10 CFR, such as 19 and 20. Failure to be in compliance can result in citations of various levels or of financial penalties. Enforcement will be discussed further later. The NRC can require tests to be done to show that the facility is being operated properly, such as asking for tests of the instruments used in monitoring the radiation levels, or... 

Proper disposal of all radioactive waste is a major responsibility of the organization s radiation safety office. Proper records must be maintained of all transfers of radioactivity from the laboratory into the waste stream. 

In selection of a radioactive nuclide as a tracer, attention must be paid to the following factors half-life, radiation emitted, specific activity, chemical form, and purity along with license of use and availability. In the case of a non-iso topic tracer, the element of the tracer must be chosen after due consideration as stated above. In any case, radiation safety and legal regulations have to be carefully followed throughout acquisition, storage, use, and disposal of a radioactive tracer. 

Another comment was that economic aspects will probably change with time. But the essential properties of material will not change. In that context a substantial radiation safety difference between the options of disposal of spent fuel and reprocessing waste was emphasized. If the convention is being based on the fundamental safety principles, it must lead to the selection of the best option from the radiological point of view. Are such policy arguments to be included in the convention Or, will the discussed economic issues determine the selection of options These were the questions of concern. 

Radiation — Safety measures. 2. Radioactive waste disposal — Safety measures. 3. Nuclear reactors — Safety measures. 4. Nuclear reactors — Design and construction. I. International Atomic Energy Agency. II. Series. 

Each mixed-waste case should be separately considered. The chemical characteristics of the radioisotope as well as those of the hazardous chemical, the effect of any byproduct of their reaction as well as their individual effects on the waste container, and any volatile reaction products, must be considered. Total quantities of wastes to be disposed of must also be taken into account. It is wise to consult with radiation safety and chemical safety specialists when designing an experiment that will generate mixed wastes. 

This bibliography is divided into the following sections biohazard safety chemical safety radiation safety general laboratory safety disinfection, sterilization, decontamination, and waste disposal industrial hygiene laboratory animals laboratory design training and instruction. 

---