Sealed Source Safety Training for Ni-63 ECD Sources

1. Sealed Source Safety Training for Ni-63 ECD Sources Radiological & Environmental Management Purdue University

2. Training Goals • Basic Radiation Safety Principles • Familiarization with Regulations • Purdue’s Policies and Procedures

3. Why do I need training? • The gas chromatograph you possess contains an ECD (electron capture detector) • The detector has a foil which can contain up to 15 mCi of Ni-63 (which is a radioactive isotope) • The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission require training for individuals that use or possess radioactive material • When used properly, there is no measurable radiation exposure

4. What is radioactivity? • Radioactivity is an energy • This energy is produced when an unstable nucleus spontaneously emits particles and/or electromagnetic radiation • Radioactive material sources • Sources are characterized as either sealed or unsealed (or “open”) • To qualify as a “sealed” source, the source must pass a battery of tests and be certified under NRC regulations • The Ni-63 ECD is a plated foil source that retains its integrity to prevent release of radioactive material

5. Pictures of common sealed sources

6. Ionizing Radiation Types Ni-63 decays by low energy Beta emission • Alpha • Molecularly large particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), give up their energy in a short distance (approximately 1 ½ inches in air) • Beta • Smaller particle (electron), distance traveled ranges from several inches to a few feet (depending on its energy) • Gamma • Non-particulate energy wave, can travel several feet and easily penetrates material with low atomic mass • Neutron • Neutral particle, can travel greater distances than gamma radiation and easily penetrate material with low hydrogen ion concentrations

7. Risks of Radiation Exposure • An average person in the United States receives annual radiation dose of ~620mrem, which includes exposure received from cosmic and natural radiation, medical treatment, and consumer products. • Large doses of radiation have been known to increase risk of cancer, birth defects, and possibly genetic effects. • Low doses seem to show no statistical differences in biological risk; however, some people believe there is risk at all levels above background exposure. • At radiation levels around 1 rem, it has been estimated that the increased incidence of cancer is 0.03% - the normal incidence of cancer for the average person is 25%. • Risk of developing genetic effects is half the risk of cancer.

8. 4 Factors to Reduce Exposure • It is the goal of our facility to reduce radiation exposures to be As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). We achieve this goal using: • Contamination Control • gloves, lab coats, fume hoods, absorbent paper • Time • do dry run, practice procedure to minimize time • Distance • a little distance between you and a source can significantly decrease your exposure from it (follows the “Inverse-Square Law”) • Shielding • Use proper shielding between you and a source to decrease personal exposure • betas - wood, Plexiglas • gammas - lead, leaded glass Due to the low energy of the beta particle, contamination control is the only factor needed.

9. Ionizing Radiation Shielding • Different shields are needed to minimize external exposure

10. Rules Governing Use of Radionuclides • Must be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or state agency • Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) develops and maintains a Radiation Safety Manual, which must be followed by individuals working under the NRC license, and it is enforceable by law

11. Applicable Regulations • 10CFR19 • Rights and responsibilities • 10CFR20 • Standards for protection against radiation • Declared pregnant worker • Security of radioactive materials

12. 10CFR Part 19Required instruction to workers • Rights • to be informed of storage, transfer, and use of radioactive materials • to further instruction on health protection problems associated with radiation exposure and procedures to minimize exposure • to receive radiation exposure history • to request an NRC inspection • to be instructed in and required to observe applicable provisions of NRC regulations and licenses • to be instructed in the appropriate response to warnings

13. NRC Policy Statement • Retaliation against employees or students engaged in protected activities, whether they have raised safety concerns within the University or to the NRC, will not be tolerated • Problems should be addressed within the existing University hierarchy – contact the radiation safety office if you have any concerns regarding issues involving radioactive materials.

14. 10CFR20 Contents • Occupational dose limits • Surveys and monitoring • Precautionary procedures • Waste disposal • Records of surveys • Enforcement • Storage and control of licensed material

15. 10CFR20Occupational Dose Limits All dose limits include exposure from both internal and external sources.

16. Radiation Units • Exposure= ability of photons to ionize air • Roentgen (milliroentgen, mR) • Geiger-Mueller readings • Absorbed Dose= energy deposited in matter • Rad (millirad, mrad) • Dose Equivalent= biological weighted absorbed dose (tissue) • rem (millirem, mrem) • Film badge

17. Acute Effects of Radiation Exposure • Non-stochastic (cause and effect) • Threshold • Lethal Dose (LD50) is about 600 rad • Examples • erythema (skin reddening) • blood changes (white blood cells) • Gastrointestinal Syndrome These effects are not possible under any circumstances with ECD sealed sources

18. Delayed Effects of Radiation Exposure • Stochastic (by chance, statistical basis) • No threshold • Cancer • Leukemia • Cataracts • Life Shortening • Data extrapolated from high dose data If the integrity of the ECD source is maintained there is no measurable radiation exposure.

19. Risk Analysis • High doses - there is a correlation between dose and effect • Low doses (<10 rem) - it is unclear what the risk is at this level • Hormesis - low doses of radiation may be beneficial

20. Surveys • No surveys by the user are required for routine ECD use • REM will be conducting “leak tests” on sealed sources to evaluate whether the source containment is intact • this will be done at 6 month intervals. If there is damage to the ECD or gas chromatograph please notify REM and a survey will be performed.

21. SecurityNRC Area of Emphasis • Secure laboratories when unoccupied • Challenge visitors or unauthorized individuals • REM accounts for RAM through inventory records The goal is to prevent unauthorized access or use of radioactive materials.

22. Checklist for compliance and safety • Operate the GC only within the parameters established by the manufacturer • Never open or attempt to service the ECD on your own- cleaning must be done by an authorized provider • Notify REM before moving or disposal of the GC • Ensure that the GC is labeled as containing radioactive material • Notify REM immediately is the unit or source is lost or missing • Notify REM for shipment of the source for service, Department of Transportation rules must be followed for shipment

23. Emergency Procedures • Call 911 • Assist personnel • Monitor personnel • Control area - inform other workers • Notify radiation safety office

24. Severe Personal Injury • Medical needs come first! Postpone monitoring, call 911, notify of radioactive material use • Wait for medical personnel - calmly advise radioactive materials may be involved if that is the case • Notify REM to assess if there may be contamination from the source

25. Review • Always use ALARA • No eating, drinking, or smoking in labs • Always secure materials, lock doors • Never allow unauthorized users access to radioactive materials • Call REM for any related questions (49-46371) • All Emergencies – call 911

26. REM’s Radiation Safety Group • James F. Schweitzer, Ph.D. 49-42350 Radiation Safety Officer jfschweitzer@purdue.edu • Mary J. R. Handy, CLSO 49-42721 Laser Safety Officer, Assistant RSO maryjo24@purdue.edu • Chris Echterling 49-41478 Health Physicist cechterl@purdue.edu • Sharon K. Rudolph 49-47969 Isotope Ordering & Distribution skrudolph@purdue.edu • Jerry J. Gibbs 49-40207 Waste Handling & Meter Calibration jjgibbs@purdue.edu • Mike Nicholson 49-40205 Waste Handling & Animal Hospital Support mlnicholson@purdue.edu • REM Main Office 49-46371 Civil Engineering Building, Room B173 www.purdue.edu/rem

27. Test • Complete the test indicated below. • You must have a minimum score of 75% to pass • Complete a Form A-4(make sure that both you AND your Principal Investigator have signed the form). • Send your Form A-4 through campus mail to Sharon Rudolph/REM/CIVL. Click here to begin the test.