RADIATION SAFETY REFRESHER TRAINING FOR 2015 Prepared by Sue Dupre Radiation Safety Officer
TOPICS NJDEP inspection Microfuge contamination Use of absorbent paper Changes to the rad waste program Declared Pregnant Worker Program A reminder about incident response
NJDEP INSPECTION Radioactive materials activities at the University were inspected on March 25 by two inspectors from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. They reviewed many records at the EHS office and selected several labs to visit. At each lab, the inspectors interviewed radioisotope-using lab members and checked lab conditions. The inspector found no violations of regulations or our license conditions and no issues of concern. Our next inspection is likely to occur in March of 2018.
MICROFUGE CONTAMINATION Microfuges used for rad work are frequently contaminated. EHS does wipe surveys of the rad microfuges because this contamination is readily transferrable as you touch the interior surfaces of the microfuge and as your tubes touch the surfaces. We expect you to keep the interior of your microfuges decontaminated to the extent practicable. How can you reduce your effort and maintain your microfuge free of contamination?
MICROFUGE CONTAMINATION One university investigated the problem of microfuge contamination: After careful observation of lab procedures and swipe surveys at different stages of the procedures, we found that in most cases the fuge tubes were not leaking at all, but contamination was being transferred to the outside of the tubes during pipetting, handling or snapping the lids of the tubes and was then being spun off onto the inside of the fuge. A thorough wipe of tubes with tissue before placing in the fuge will stop a large percentage of the contamination events. The result has been a dramatic drop in fuge contamination.
TIPS FOR LIMITING MICROFUGE CONTAMINATION Wipe down tubes before placing them in the microfuge. Use screw cap tubes with O-ring seals or use tubes with locking caps. Do not fill tubes more than 3/4 full. Use aerosol-tight rotors or sample capsules.
USE OF ABSORBENT PAPER You are expected to cover your radioisotope work areas with absorbent paper. The paper absorbs and contains spills and helps to prevent the spread of contamination to other items in the work area. Change the bench paper when it becomes significantly contaminated.
CHANGES TO THE RAD WASTE PROGRAM Rad waste disposal is now free! EHS will pick up the cost of routine radioactive waste disposal. EHS will be taking over operation of the Decay-in-Storage Facility, located in Molecular Biology, including the waste collection process. The change will be effective in February or March. Sue will email you to announce the official date. Waste collection will be by appointment. You ll need to call EHS to schedule your waste drop-off. The drop-off room will be Moffett 066, not LTL 040.
DECLARED PREGNANT WORKER PROGRAM A pregnant woman may choose to formally declare her pregnancy. Fetal dose limit is 500 mrem for a Declared Pregnant Worker. EHS will provide radiation monitoring badges, exchanged on a monthly basis. If you become pregnant, consider consulting with Sue Dupre for additional information and to determine if it makes sense to declare your pregnancy. Sue would be happy to keep your inquiry confidential. More details are available at the EHS website.
INCIDENT RESPONSE Is lab emergency contact information correct? Are current lab hazards listed on the Poster? Have you reviewed and updated your Posters within the last 6 months?
INCIDENT RESPONSE Where is this Guide located in your lab? Know where to find it, because this Guide will help you through many types of incidents, including fire, medical emergencies, chemical exposures, biological spills, and radiation incidents. If you know where this book is, you won t have to memorize the emergency notification phone numbers.
INCIDENT RESPONSE How would you respond if you discovered 10,000 cpm of 32 P contamination on the skin of your wrist during the postoperational survey? Call EHS. You must notify EHS even if you are able to completely decontaminate your skin or clothing. Using room-temperature water and hand soap or any other gentle detergent, gently wash the contaminated area at the rad sink. In nearly all cases the contamination can be washed off immediately. If not, EHS has some gentle decontamination techniques that are likely to work. Be sure to record the contamination incident in the Lab Survey Log.
INCIDENT NOTIFICATION What are the following numbers and when do you use them? 609-258-5294: 609-258-1000: 609-258-3134: 609-258-3333: 9-1-1 (lab phone): 9-1-1 (cell): EHS main number Public Safety non-emergency The same as 258-1000 Public Safety s Emergency Number* Public Safety s Emergency Number* Regional Emergency Response System *In an emergency, we encourage you to call the Public Safety Emergency Number, because we believe that Public Safety can expedite emergency response.
RADIATION SAFETY PROGRAM FEEDBACK Your questions, comments, suggestions and feedback are welcome. dupre@princeton.edu