Radioisotopes, safe handling

International Atomic Energy Agency, Safe Handling of Radioisotopes, Safety Series No. 1, Vienna. 

In order to handle radioisotopes safely it is necessary, among other things, to define fairly carefully the penetrating power of the radiation emitted by any isotope. Alpha particles, having only a relatively limited number of energy levels, are absorbed by contact with other atoms. The absorbing power of a material is referred to in terms of its equivalent thickness. The thickness required can be calculated by dividing the equivalent thickness by the density of the material. 

Steere, N.V., Ed., Safe handling of radioisotopes, in CRC Handbock of Laboratory Safely, CRC Press,... 

Prior to working with radioactive materials, the scientist should attend a pertinent training course or consult a standard source of information on radioisotope methodology to become familiar with the precautions used in the safe handling of radiochemicals in the laboratory (e.g., DuPont, 1988a Shapiro, 1972 Stewart, 1981). As much as possible, experiments should be carried out, and plates with radioactive zones stored, in a fume hood. 

Radioisotopes also are used for detection of interfaces in pipelines. Since some pipelines handle many different stocks, ranging from crude oil to finished petroleum products to chemicals, etc., effective control requires a knowledge of the precise instant when the interface between two materials passes the control point, This is obtained by adding to the interface a radioactive nuclide, which emits a strong beam of radiation, such as 124Sb. The half-life of the radioisotope used must be quite short to insure that the activity will have decayed to a safe level before it reaches the ultimate user of the transported material,... 

Radiopharmaceuticals, produced by a nuclear reactor or cydotron, may only be used by physicians who are qualified by specific training in the safe use and handling of radioisotopes, and whose experience and training have been approved by an appropriate governmental agency authorised to licence the use of radionudides. 

Table 13.14 shows the relationship between these two factors—radiotoxicity and laboratory characteristics—and lists the range of radioactivity that may safely be used in a given class of laboratory. Further information on industrial hygiene requirements for handling radioisotopes be found in (61). 

When removing gloves that have been used to handle radioisotopes, be certain not to touch the outside of the gloves with the bare hand. See Section 3.2 for instructions for the safe removal of gloves. 

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