A SHORT GUIDE TO RADIATION SAFETY MANUAL

INTRODUCTION

　　The Radiation Protection Rules of St. Marianna University School of Medicine has been developed bythe Radiation Safety Committee(RSC) to advise all personnel using radioisotopes rules and regulations governing their use. The RSC is composed of faculty members who by their knowledge and experience are qualified to make judgments in the area of radiation safety in accordance with the Laws and Ordinances Concerning Prevention Radiation Hazards. The Radiation Protection Rules sets forth the function of the organizational structure for radiation protection and a set of regulations that must be observed by all radiation workers.

　　The policies and procedures established by the RSC are carried out by the director of the Radioisotope Research Institute　through staff members (Radiation Protection Officer,RPO ) under the advise of the radiation protection supervisor. The complete rules and regulations for the safe use of radioactive materials can be found in the Radiation Protection Rules.

　 This document is provided to aid you in recognizing your responsibility for radiation safety. While it gives an overview of basic radiation safety procedures, it is the responsibility of each radiation worker to be thoroughly familiar with all applicable sections of the Radiation Protection Rules. Please contact the RPO for additional information on any topic covered in this manual.

AUTHORIZATION TO USE RADIOISOTOPES

　 All radioisotope users must be authorized by the RSC. Those who handle radioisotopes mainly in radiation controlled areas are called " radiation workers ". Authorizations are granted to qualified individuals who are radiation workers( registered investigators) in the laboratories. Radioisotope laboratories must be approved and their use restricted to those radioisotopes and conditions listed in the Radiation Protection Rules.

　 To receive authorization for use of radioisotopes, each individual must complete a APPROVED USER APPLICATION form.

　 Current regulations require that only those who have had 1) required education and training and 2)a [radiation ] medical examination are permitted to enter controlled areas as radiation workers. Education and training are given to radiation workers to ensure that they have the minimum knowledge and skills required of radiation workers. Radiation workers should receive education and training(1) prior to their first handling of radioisotopes( new education ); and (2) at least once every year thereafter( re-education ). If a radiation worker has experience handling radioisotopes at, for example, another establishment, past records of his or her exposure ( previous records) must be carefully checked.

　 [ Radiation ] medical examinations are required to determine if the individual is medically suitable for assignments involving the handling of radioisotopes. Radiation medical examinations consists of oral interviews, examinations and tests. Radiation medical examinations are should be conducted before the worker's first handling of radioisotopes, and four times every year thereafter.

　 No individual may purchase radioisotopes without written RSC authorization. The purchaser must forward all orders for radioisotopes to the RPO for approval. It must be indicated clearly on the purchase requisition form that this purchase involves radioisotopes. To order radioisotopes, form must be filled out completely and accompany the purchase requisition. Indicate the date desired and any other special information. RPO will check inventory records and if the type of radioisotope and quantity requested are within the limits of the user's authorization, the purchase order will be forwarded.

　 If the product requested is delivered to the laboratory, the user will be notified by RPO. On receipt, the user is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records for all radioisotope possessed.

　 The transfer of radioisotopes to another establishment or licensee ( other than properly disposed waste ) must be approved by the director prior to transfer of the radioisotopes. Please contact RPO for information on transportation.
(1) On-campus transfer. Transfer of radioisotopes to another user will usually be approved if the receiving individual has authorization to possess that type and amount of radioisotopes. A form must be completed and submitted when transfer takes place.
(2)Off-campus transfer. Prior to transfer, the director must have written verification that the facility holds a valid license to possess radioisotope. RPO will ship radioisotope upon request to ensure that proper packaging and labeling requirements are met. Any transfer to St. Marianna University from a non-vendor source ( gift, joint research ) will be handled in the same manner as that from a vendor source. The radioisotope must be shipped to Radioisotope Research Institute, and the user will be notified on receipt.

　 When working with radioisotopes, each worker should be aware of the methods or procedures that can best be used to reduce his or her radiation exposure. To limit exposure from external radiation, one can reduce the time spent with the material, increase the distance between the material and the body, or interpose shielding between the source and the body. For prevention of intake of radioactive material that could lead to internal exposure, one should minimize the amount of material handled, make sure the material is properly contained, wear appropriate protective clothing (i.e. laboratory coat, gloves,slippers, etc.), and follow established procedures as outlined below.

PERSONNEL PROTECTION

　　Dispose of radioactive waste materials only in noticeably labeled, the Japan Radioisotope Association approved containers. Segregate wastes by nuclide, half-life, and physical characteristics per instructions provided by the Japan Radioisotope Association.

　　Radioactive waste is classified into gaseous, liquid and solid waste. Gaseous and liquid waste should be properly treated through either a ventilation system or liquid waste disposal system, and then disposed of from the exhaust port or drain outlet, after measurements to confirm that concentrations are below statutory levels.

　　 Liquid organic waste and aqueous waste must be collected separately. Scintillation media in vials should be collected and incinerated in an incinerator.

　　Solid waste should be stored in　a waste storage facility at the establishment. If it is later given to a disposer, it should be divided into combustible waste and noncombustible waste, and put into separate containers. Paper, cloth, wood pieces are combustible type I, while plastic tubes, plastic vials, polyethylene sheet, rubber gloves are combustible type II. Glass vials, other glass equipment, silicon tubes are incombustible.

　　Hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials must not be mixed together. So called " mixed waste " which contains radioactivity and component which exhibits corrosivity, toxicity, etc. has significant handling and disposal problems. Radioactive animal carcasses, viscera, or other biological materials subject to putrefaction must be placed in a plastic bag and frozen prior to pick-up.

RECORDING ENTRIES

　　The amounts of radioisotopes used and disposed of should be accurately entered in a log book. The purpose of such entries is to facilitate control of radiation sources at the establishment, by recording each step in the process from purchasing through disposal of radioisotopes.

　　Radiation workers, in principle, record the use and storage of radioisotopes, as well as disposal of radioisotopes and materials contaminated by radioisotopes. To ensure accuracy, an entry should be made every time a radioisotope is used, stored or disposed of.

　

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

　　Emergencies resulting from accidents in radioisotope laboratories may occur even though all laboratory rules are obeyed. Because of numerous complicating factors, set rules of emergency procedure cannot be made to cover all possible situations. In any situation the primary concern is protection of personnel from physical and radiation hazards. These secondary concern is confinement of any contamination to the immediate area.