Inntrodction

Handling, storage and disposal

1. Radioactive waste should only be stored in approved bags and containers:

a. Bags – Yellow with Radiation label

b. Boxes – Line with yellow bag

c. Bottles – Attach Radiation label

2. Anything that can be mistaken for an ordinary trash container should not be used.

3. The containers should have full label with user’s name and department, isotope, activity, filling date and seal with a liquid tight knot.

4. Aqueous and organic waste should not be mixed.

5. Liquid and dry wastes should not be mixed. For example, pipette tips should not be disposed as in liquid waste.

6. Dry waste should be segregated by half-lives equal to or less than 120 days from half-lives greater than 120 days.

7. Scintillation vials that contain different radionuclides should not be mixed.

Legal Methods of Disposing of Radioactive Waste

1. Decay in Storage (DIS)

a. Store waste in the laboratory if the half-life is not more than 120 days.

b. “DIS” Isotopes must be held for decay for at least 10 half-lives.

c. Survey monitoring of material must read close to background.

d. All radioactive labeling must be defaced.

2. Dump to Sanitary Sewer

a. The Radioactive BMW must be water soluble or readily dispersible biological material in water.

b. Radiation Safety Officer must check the concentration of radioactive BMW per month in water.

c. The permission should be taken from the Radiation Safety Officer prior to dumping the Radioactive BMW.

d. Annual Limit per Facility is:

H-3 – 5 curies

C-14 – 1 curie

e. All other radionuclides combined – 1 curie

3. Ship to Disposal Site

a. Only Radiation Safety Officer may ship to disposal site.

b. Radiation Safety Officer must be contacted when there is a full container of dry or liquid waste.

c. Waste shall at the disposal site be stored in the radiation shed until scheduled pick-up.

4. Dispose as if not radioactive

a. Scintillation medium containing not more than 0.05 microcuries per ml of H-3 or C-14 may be discarded as if it is not radioactive. If chemical solvent is disposed of properly the radioactivity will not pose any problem.

b. A record shall be kept of each such disposal for the life of the license by RSO.