Radiation Safety Awareness Training Module

Introduction

The University of Chicago and the Hospitals have been issued radioactive material licenses by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Division of Nuclear Safety. These licenses allow the University to use sources of radioactive material in patient care procedures and biological research.

It is the policy of the University of Chicago to grant authorizations to individuals for the use of radioactive materials and sources of ionizing radiation while providing for their safe use. The radioactive material use is a privilege; in order to retain the privilege, all persons who use sources of radiation must follow University policies and procedures.

Each Principal Investigator or Authorized User is issued an authorization to use radioactive material. All users should review these documents to remain informed regarding the use of radioactive material in their area.

Regulatory Documentation

Radiation workers may view the following documents in the Office of Radiation Safety located AMB M031A:  

• Regulations in Part 32 of the Illinois Administrative Code (32IAC), including Part 400 Notices, Instructions and Reports to Workers; Inspections) and Part 340 (Standards for Protection Against Radiation). 
• University licenses, registration certificates, conditions, and documents incorporated into the licenses by reference and amendment. 
• Operating procedures applicable to activities under the licenses and registrations. 
• Documents pertaining to license inspections.

Each user shall also be familiar with the IEMA "Notice to Employees" posted in each radioactive materials laboratory. This document describes and explains your legal rights as a worker using radioactive materials.

Radioactive materials are regulated from "cradle-to-grave"--from the moment radioactive materials are acquired at the University of Chicago through disposal of those materials. The regulations impose a responsibility on the University to ensure: 1) personnel safety, 2) public health and safety, and 3) protection of the environment.

The University and Hospital Radiation Safety Committees and Radiation Safety Office have been delegated the duty to implement programs and protocols necessary to fulfill that responsibility.

It is your responsibility to become familiar with and adhere to the programs and protocols developed by the Radiation Safety Committees and the Office of Radiation Safety.

Labeling Requirements

IEMA regulations require users of radioactive materials to affix labels to containers or items holding radioactive materials. The labels MUST be clearly visible and durable and MUST bear the words "CAUTION RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL".

Make sure that radioactive warning labels are affixed to all visible sides of any container used for radioactive specimens, wastes, sharps containers, etc. The Office of Radiation Safety will label waste containers that instruct housekeeping staff to avoid disposal of the contents.

The label must also provide sufficient information to permit individuals handling or using the containers to take precautions to avoid or minimize exposures. Such information should include: 1) radionuclide(s), 2) estimated activity, and 3) date.

Finally, labels on containers that are both empty AND uncontaminated must be fully defaced or removed prior to disposal of the containers.

All entrances to areas where radioactive materials are used or stored must be labeled with a “Caution Radioactive Material” sign or a “Caution Radioactive Area” sign.

AS LOW AS IS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE (ALARA)

The IEMA, Division of Nuclear Safety has established Maximum Annual Occupational Radiation Dose Limits. These limits apply to exposure to radiation resulting from occupationally-related activities

MAXIMUM ANNUAL OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION DOSE LIMITS

ADULT

Whole Body ("TEDE") Lens of the Eye Extremities Skin Individual Internal Organs ("TODE")

5,000 mrem / yr 15,000 mrem / yr 50,000 mrem / yr 50,000 mrem / yr 50,000 mrem / yr

OTHER EMPLOYEE LIMITS

Embryo/Fetus of "Declared Pregnant Woman" Minor (< 18 Yrs. of Age)

500 mrem over entire pregnancy 10% of Adult Limits

Whole Body:	The head, neck and trunk including those portions of both arms above the elbows and those portions of both legs above the knees but does not include skin or the lenses of the eyes.
Extremities:	The portion of either arm extending from the hand to the elbow and the portion of either leg extending from the foot to the knee.
Declared Pregnant Woman (DPW):	A woman who has voluntarily informed her employer, in writing, of her pregnancy and of the estimated date of conception. Note that an individual may revoke their declaration of pregnancy (in writing to the employer) at any time. If you work with radioactive material and/or radiation please contact the Radiation Safety Officer or his/her designee to declare your pregnancy and obtain a fetal monitor. Additional training/information will be provided to you when you declare your pregnancy. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Radiation Safety at 2-6299.

These dose limits present a small risk of potential adverse health effects. However, that small risk will be reduced further by making the effort to keep occupational doses as low as is reasonably achievable ("ALARA").

IEMA mandates that all persons working with radioactive materials must use, to the extent practical, procedures and engineering controls in order to achieve occupational doses (internal & external) ALARA.

Radiation Badges

All persons whose work is associated with radiation that could result in exposure above 10% of the above limits must wear radiation badges (5% for persons under 18 years of age). Whole body dosimeters and extremity badges are issued for a one to two month wear cycle and are used to monitor exposure from high-energy beta, neutron, and gamma-ray sources.

Whole body dosimeter and ring badges do not respond well to weak beta radiation from H-3 and  C-14. Workers who use H-3 or C-14 or less than 1 mCi a month of S-35 and/or P-32 are not required to wear a dosimeter. Workers that use 10 mCi or more of P-32 or other high-energy beta emitters at a time or use more than 1 mCi of a gamma-ray source are required to wear a whole-body dosimeter and ring badge.

The whole body dosimeter should be worn on the upper chest area so that you are able to read the identification sticker. If lead aprons are worn, the badge should be clipped to the shirt collar or to the outside of the top of the lead apron to measure exposure to the eyes. Supplemental badges, if issued, may be worn under the lead apron but readings obtained from such badges do not accurately measure exposure to the eyes or thyroid.

If you should lose your dosimeter (radiation badge), another badge can be assigned. Contact Radiation Safety for a temporary badge.

The Office of Radiation Safety reviews exposure reports. Individuals and their supervisors are notified in writing of any excessive exposures and are required to describe the cause and corrective steps that have been taken, or are planned to be taken, to prevent a recurrence of the exposure. The completed and signed notification must be returned to Radiation Safety within ten working days.

Radiation Safety maintains dosimetry records. Wearers are encouraged to request their radiation exposure readings. Written requests for exposure information should be directed to Radiation Safety. Annual reports are submitted to departments for distribution to monitored individuals within the department.

Radiation Risks

EFFECT OF RADIATION EXPOSURE

Radiation causes ionizations in the molecules of living cells. These ionizations result in the removal of electrons from the atoms, forming ions or charged atoms. The ions formed can go on to react with other atoms in the cell causing damage.

At low doses, such as what we receive every day from background radiation, the cells repair the damage rapidly. Most cells that die are of little consequence, the body can just replace them. Cells changed permanently may go on to produce abnormal cells when they divide. In the right circumstances, these cells may become cancerous. This is the origin of our increased risk in cancer, as a result of radiation exposure.

General Information about Risk

If we ask the question: how much will radiation exposure increase my chances of cancer death over my lifetime? Let’s look at the relative risk of 1 in a million chances of dying of activities common to our society:

• Smoking 1.4 cigarettes (lung cancer)
• Eating 40 tablespoons of peanut butter
• Spending 2 days in New York City (air pollution)
• Driving 40 miles in a car (accident)
• Flying 2500 miles in a jet (accident)
• Receiving 10 mRem of radiation (cancer)

We must balance associated risks with the benefits of the activity. It is something we do often. We want to go somewhere in a hurry, we accept the risks of driving for that benefit. We want to eat fatty foods, we accept the risks of heart disease. Radiation is another risk, which we must balance with the benefit. The benefit is that we can do scientific research or receive medical treatments. The risks are a small increase in cancer.

Risk comparision show that radiation is a small risk when compared to risks we take every day. Radiation exposure is not a mysterious source of cancer, but a well-understood phenomenon, better understood than most other cancer-causing agent to which we are exposed.

The Office of Radiation Safety web site contains an additional document for anyone interested in knowing more about the risks from occupational radiation exposure: Instruction Concerning Risks from Occupational Radiation Exposure, Appendix to Regulatory Guide 8.29, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Prenatal Radiation Exposure

When an occupationally exposed woman is pregnant, exposure of her body to penetrating radiation or the intake of radiation also exposes the embryo or fetus. Studies have shown that the embryo or fetus is more sensitive to radiation than an adult--particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy, when a woman may not be aware that she is pregnant.

The Office of Radiation Safety web site contains an additional document for anyone interested in knowing more about prenatal radiation exposure: Appendix to Regulatory Guide 8.13: Instruction Concerning Prenatal Radiation Exposure, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Time, Distance, and Shielding

Three Effective Strategies

Unsealed radionuclides, sealed sources, X-ray machines, irradiators, and other sources may present a hazard of external exposure. Protection from these sources is based on applying three fundamental strategies:

• Minimize the time spent near sources
• Maximize the distance from sources
• Use shielding of appropriate type

Time

Simply reducing the amount of time spent near or in contact with any source results in a proportionate reduction in dose. Minimize the time and you will minimize the dose.

Distance

Exposure decreases with distance according to the inverse square law, by which the radiation intensity varies inversely with the square of the distance from a source. Increasing the distance from a source by a factor of two reduces the intensity to one quarter. Increasing the distance from a source by a factor of three reduces the intensity to one ninth.

Remote handling tools may be necessary for sources with high-energy beta particles (such as P32), high gamma exposure rates (such as Cs-137), or both (such as Na-22). These can be forceps, tongs, vial racks, trays--in short, anything that will put distance between you and the source. In the laboratory, place stock solutions, equipment, and wastes as far as possible from occupied areas and doorways.

Shielding

Proper shielding can result in an exponential reduction of dose for gamma emitters and a near-total reduction for beta emitters. Select appropriate shielding materials during the planning stages of any experiment or clinical procedure. Shielding design may be simple--no more complex or costly than sheets of plywood or plastic--or may involve complex calculations that depend on the type of radiation, the energy and frequency of emission, the configurations of source and room, and the occupancy factors.

General Safety Rules

1. ALWAYS perform post-procedural contamination checks using a GM survey meter or other appropriate survey instrument--when using H-3, use contamination swipes to perform these checks. Contamination checks are your primary means of defense. You MUST check:

Yourself including your labcoat and clothing
Your ungloved hands and your shoes (soles and tops)
The immediate work areas where material was used
Floor where radioactive material was handled or carried

2. Remember that eating, drinking, applying cosmetics, etc. are prohibited in designated radioactive material areas.

3. When using radioactive materials, work in designated areas and/or fume hoods, use absorbent pads or spill trays, and use appropriate shielding when applicable. Change gloves often and remove gloves before handling pens, books, door handles, or other items to avoid the spread of contamination.

Security of Radioactive Material

All radioactive material MUST be secured from unauthorized use, removal, and vandalism at all times. Stock solutions of radioactive material and sealed sources must be secured in a locked storage area and/or locked lab room when unattended. Radioactive materials must NEVER be stored or used in an unposted room, area or facility. Unsecured radioactive material MUST never be left unattended.

Notify the Office of Radiation Safety immediately if you suspect that radioactive material is missing from your laboratory or clinical laboratory storage area.

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Proper documentation of radioactive usage serves many purposes--one such purpose is for security of radioactive materials. An accurate "in-lab" inventory is an important element of security. It is difficult if not impossible to identify missing radioactive material when users are unsure as to the proper amount that is supposed to be present in the laboratory. Radioactive material users are required to maintain radioactive material usage records, perform quarterly radioactive material inventory of materials received, and maintain accurate waste disposal records.

EMERGENCIES & INCIDENTS

Each area where radioactive material is used or stored is required to post the "Emergency Procedure".  A copy of this posting can be obtained from the Office of Radiation Safety or downloaded from the web site.

The Office of Radiation Safety maintains a 24- hour emergency response system. Major spills, loss of radioactive material, theft of radioactive material including radioactive waste, or damage to any source of radioactive material (radioactive waste, stock vial solutions, sealed sources, etc.) or any other accident involving radioactive material must be reported promptly to the individual responsible for the use of the material and to the Office of Radiation Safety.

During normal working hours (M-F, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm), call the Office of Radiation Safety at extension 2-6299 and report that a radioactive spill or radiation accident has occurred and the location. At all other times, call University Police at 2-8181 or at 123 and report that a radioactive spill or radiation accident has occurred and to please contact Radiation Safety personnel. 

General Questions

The Office of Radiation Safety’s website contains information regarding the radiation safety program at http://safety.uchicago.edu/radiation/home.html. If you should have any questions regarding the radiation safety program, please feel free to contact the office at 2-6299.