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Wipe Test Procedures for Radioactive Material Contamination

Wipe Test Procedures for Radioactive Material Contamination UTHSC – Houston Radiation Safety Program Environmental Health ad Safety Outline UTHSCH Wipe Test Requirements Safety Resources on the Web UTHSCH Radiation Safety Forms Laboratory Wipe Tests How to Clean a Radioactive Spill

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Wipe Test Procedures for Radioactive Material Contamination

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  1. Wipe Test Procedures for Radioactive Material Contamination UTHSC – Houston Radiation Safety Program Environmental Health ad Safety

  2. Outline • UTHSCH Wipe Test Requirements • Safety Resources on the Web • UTHSCH Radiation Safety Forms • Laboratory Wipe Tests • How to Clean a Radioactive Spill • Appropriate Lab Attire

  3. UTHSCH Wipe Test Requirements • Any Room Authorized to Work with Radioactive Materials Must at Least • Document monthly wipes where used, stored and selected “clean” areas • If storage only, monthly wipe test of storage location • If no use AND no storage, monthly statement indicating “no radioactive material used or stored for XXX month” • Additional Requirements May Occur for Researchers Working with Greater than 5 mCi

  4. Safety Resources on the Web www.uth.tmc.edu safety

  5. Radiation Safety Division

  6. RS-08 Laboratory Wipe Test Report for Radioactive Materials

  7. Radiation Safety RequirementsUpon Receipt of Radioactive Material • Lab wipe tests documented monthly • Wear proper attire • Lab coat • Eye protection • Gloves • Gather equipment • Cotton swab • Vial or Envelope

  8. Attire & Equipment

  9. Wipe Test Procedure • Several in lab room where used • Use cotton swab to take a several samples from different areas within the room • At least one of storage area • If no use or storage in month, document … • “no use or storage in XXX month” • Place samples in separate vial or envelope • Label each vial or envelope noting the location of the sample • Fill out “Laboratory Wipe Test Report”

  10. Collecting the Sample • Take samples in a “S” motion while rotating the cotton swab *Click for Video

  11. Collecting the Sample

  12. Filling out the Report • Fill out all necessary information • Authorized user • Date • Building and Room number • Wipe tested by • Draw and label laboratory diagram in space provided

  13. How do you know if results show contamination?? 3 2 4 1 5

  14. Preparing the Samples • Samples are placed individually in separate eppendorf tubes and 1 mL of cocktail is added • A blank eppendorf tube is prepared in the same manner

  15. Preparing the Samples

  16. Analyzing the Samples • Place tubes into vial holders • Insert tubes into LSC racks • Load racks into the Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) and flag the samples for counting. • Example for loading the LSC: • Slide the tab located on the rack to the position where the color is showing. • This tells the LSC that the sample has not been read. • When the tab is in the opposite position it tells the user that the sample has been read.

  17. Analyzing the Samples Tab position indicates vials read. Tab position indicates vials not read.

  18. LSC’s

  19. Reading the Data • Locate the Background CPM in the left column of the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) & Action Level Sheet • Find the Action Level that corresponds to the background level • If the sample has a higher CPM than the action level then the sample area is contaminated

  20. MDA & Action Level Sheet

  21. Quick Contamination Calculation • If the MDA sheet is not accessible the a rule of thumb for determining if the area is contaminated is if the sample CPM is greater than three (3) times that of the background Contaminated area > (3)*(Background)

  22. If Area is Contaminated • Take proper precautions • IF MINOR Spill or Contaminated Area– • Clean the affected area per proper lab cleanup procedures • IF MAJOR Spill or Contaminated Area- • Secure the area, prevent re-entry • Contact Radiation Safety for Assistance • 713-500-5840 During Business Hours • 713-500-4357 After Hours (500-HELP) UT Police

  23. How to Clean Up a Spill • Ensure that spill is contained • Limit traffic where event occurred. • Prevent runoff (from table to floor or spreading on table). • Inform coworkers and lab manager. • Call Radiation Safety (Because we’re very cool).

  24. How to Clean Up a Spill • Obtain necessary supplies for cleanup • Paper towels or diapers • RADCON or Scrubbing Bubbles (DOW) • Opaque plastic bags for waste. • Labels • Gloves • Descriptive forms (RS4 form)

  25. How to Clean Up a Spill • Ensure that contamination is contained

  26. How to Clean Up a Spill • Spray area with RADCON or Scrubbing Bubbles (DOW)

  27. How to Clean Up a Spill • Wipe from the outside in so not to spread the contamination

  28. Review • Documented Monthly Wipe Tests for Radioactive Material Contamination are Required • A Radioactive Spill or Contaminated Area Should be Decontaminated (Cleaned) and Wipe Tested Again • For Assistance, You can Contact Radiation Safety at 713-500-5840

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