(radiation) safety and security an experience in Cairo University

1. (radiation) safety and securityan experience in Cairo University Radiation safety and security in Cairo University Hoda Abou Shady Executive director and founder of NSPA

2. To provide a solution We need to recognize, acknowledge the problems and the needs 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

3. Cairo University • 5 Institutions with direct use of radioactive materials • 6 Institutions using ionizing radiation and their attached hospitals • 5 Institutions using “electron microscopes” • 12 total facilities that needs monitoring 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

4. Newly Appointed Radiation Safety Officers • In facilities that use radioactive materials, the safety and health of employees is a major concern. • Radiation safety officers are responsible for ensuring that radiation processes and radioactive materials are used safely and that all regulatory measures are followed. • Radiation safety officers have at least a BSc degree, which is earned mostly in physics 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

5. Responsibilities 1)Licensing and Records • Ensure that his organization has proper licensing for the radioactive materials that are utilized. • Ensure that only authorized staff members under the terms of the license handle the materials. • Conduct periodic tests to ensure that the terms and conditions of the license are met • represent his organization in regulatory agencies. • Keep careful records of all transactions regarding radioactive materials, such as receipts, transfers and disposals. 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

6. Responsibilities 2)Policy and Procedures • establish organizational safety policy and procedures. • develop operating and emergency procedures • act as a consultant to management when it comes to instituting new safety policies. • interview staff members who handle radioactive materials to endorse safety policies 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

7. Responsibilities 3) Materials • Monitor ordering radioactive materials and keep a careful inventory of all items. • Test radioactive materials for leaks on a regular basis. • Advise staff members on the proper use and storage of materials. • ensure that radioactive materials are secured at all times as well, and maintain safety supplies such as protective clothing and shields, labels and radiation signs. • supervise the safe disposal of radioactive waste. 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

8. Responsibilities 4)Personnel Monitoring • examine all personnel monitoring reports and make staff members aware of high or excessive radiation exposure. • notify the regulatory agency if workers are exposed to high levels of radiation and must lead an investigation into any unusual exposure cases. • Radiation safety officers must take measures to control and avoid high levels of exposure in an effort to safeguard employees' health. • They must investigate any accidents or spills that involve radioactive materials. Hiding info on accidents is a crime 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

9. 5)Training • ensure that all staff members receive proper training to handle radioactive materials. • instruct employees on how to protect themselves from radiation exposure, as well as how to use radioactive materials and equipment safely. 6)Management Liaison • serve as a liaison between the organization's management and radiation employees. • Inform management of any emergencies or accidents that endanger employees, and make them aware of any concerns that employees may have about their safety. 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

10. Do we even know the hazards! Irradiated food Non-ionizing radiation Biohazard Ionizing radiation radiopharmaceuticals radiationhazard 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

11. Safety <=>radiation protection • Radiation protection, is the science of protecting people and the environment from ionizing radiation • Ionizing radiations are used in industry and medicine and could make health hazard. • Radiation causes skin burns, radiation sickness , cancer and tumors at high exposures and genetic damage at low exposures. • PET and CAT scan can cause cancer rather than diagnostic if not calibrated 19/1/2012 Nuclear science peaceful application center- Cairo University 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

12. Reactors are not our main concern 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

13. 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

14. Radiation Protection (RP) on its way • Dynamic RP program that responds to changing needs and circumstances to provide protection for workers and processes. • Safety improvement • The organizational structure that handles activity reports • Chief Radiation Safety Officer • Assistant officers • Health professionals • Supervisory board 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

15. Radiation Protection implement radiation safety • Provide complete rules and regulations for the use of radioactive materials in a booklet • This booklet helps technicians to recognize their responsibility for radiation safety. • The booklet includes 10 points • Authorization to Use Radioactive Materials • Ordering and Receiving Radioactive Materials • Radiation Protection Procedures • Radioactive Material Surveys • Removable Contamination Limits • Radioactive Waste Disposal • Personnel Dosimetry • Pregnant Workers • Radioiodine Exposure Monitoring • Accidental Spills of Radioactive Material 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

16. When the book is there ? • In few days some copies will be distributed in NSPA and some at the institutfrancais as a gift to Egyptian universities from both of us 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

17. Say no to • NO Eating, drinking, smoking, use of cosmetics or food storage • NO Radioactive Material Area should be open when unattended • NO Moving from areas where a contamination occurred until monitored • NO Mouth pipetting is allowed in Radioactive Materials Areas • NO Unidentified containers of radioactive materials. Labels must include date, nuclide, quantity, and the radiation symbol • NO For porous work areas. • NO For unshielded materials to reduce radiation levels to less than 5mR/h at the surface • NO Operation without rehearsals to prevent radiation hazards • NO Direct contact with materials, work without Fume hoods, gloves, protective cloth 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

18. We need PersonnelProtection and a non commercial dosimetry lab • Protective clothing • fume hoods and gloves must be worn when handling radioactive material under conditions where contamination may be expected. • Goggles at electron microscopes 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

19. References • The regulation and use of radioisotopes in today world- US nuclear regulatory commission • Sources and effects of ionizing radiation UNSCEAR 2008 Report • "Fact Sheet on Biological Effects of Radiation". Publication date December 2004. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/bio-effects-radiation.html. Retrieved 2010-12-04. • Jeffrey R. Davis, Robert Johnson, Jan Stepanek - Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine (2008) - Page 221-230 (Google Books Link 2010) • Power Frequency , EMF’s, lack of sleep, melatonin depletion and Breast cancer • Nucleonica, web driven nuclear science education, http://www.nucleonica.net/naturalra.aspx • Nuclear Safety, Gianni Petrangeli • A Syllabus for the Education and Training of RTTs (radiation therapists/ therapy radiographers, IAEA courses • Postgraduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources, IAEA 6/11/2012 Nuclear studies and peaceful application center- Cairo University

20. Beauty, strength and power are flowers, but fading seenDuty, faith and honor are roots, but forever green