If isotope use procedures are outside of the generic procedures listed on the Isotope Page, then additional controls and other special conditions may apply and need to be addressed in the authorization's SOP and prior to initiation of RAM work.

 

Generic procedures that do not require an extensive SOP attached to the authorization application include:

• Northern blot,
• Southern blot,
• Western blot,
• Hybridization,
• Soil moisture gauge use,
• Iodination,
• Soil density gauge use,
• Gas chromatograph electron capture foil use.

 

Once all the special uses requiring additional controls have been identified, a written description of each special control must be provided in accordance with the following:

 

Biohazards -- If work will involve the use of biohazards, describe:

• The biohazards/safety procedures/special waste handling,
• The use procedure(s) involving the biohazards,
• The radiation safety procedures involving biohazards.

 

Hazardous Materials -- If work will involve the use of hazardous or dangerous chemicals, describe:

• Registered User (RU) name and RU Number,
• Hazardous material use/safety procedures/mixed (hazardous + radioactive) waste handling & accumulation,
• The use procedure(s) involving hazardous materials,
• The radiation safety procedures involving hazardous materials.

 

Airborne hazards -- If work will involve the powdery, volatile, or other airborne forms of radioactive materials, describe:

• Airborne safety procedures fume hood or glove box facilities,
• The use procedure(s) involving airborne radioactive materials,
• The radiation safety procedures for airborne radioactive materials.

 

High energy Beta’s (P-32 or higher) greater than 5 mCi -- If P-32 or other high energy beta emitter will be used, describe:

• The procedures used to minimize & detect contamination, 
• The procedures used to minimize exposure (including use of plastic shields), 
• The maximum activity in any stock solution, 
• The maximum activity in any other container storing solutions or waste, 
• The proposed storage and usage in each room or area, 
• The individuals who will be handling greater than 5 mCi of P-32. 

 

I-125 or I-131 in quantities that are greater than 1 mCi – If you plan to iodinate, use or store radioiodines, describe: 

• The radionuclide involved and procedure(s) used; 
• The maximum activity involved with iodination; 
• The proposed storage, usage, or iodination in each room or area; 
• The maximum activity in any container storing solutions or waste;
• The individuals who will be handling greater than 5 mCi of radioiodine. 

 

H-3 --  If using quantities that are greater than 100 mCi of tritiated water or sodium borohydride, or greater than 25 mCi of tritiated organic material , describe:

• The maximum activity in any container storing solutions or waste, 
• The storage and usage in each use area, 
• The individuals who will be handling these materials. 

 

Gamma emitters with energies greater than 500 keV, describe:

• The maximum activity in any container storing solutions or waste, 
• The proposed storage and usage in each use area, 
• The individuals who will be handling gamma emitter’s quantities greater than 5 mCi. 

 

Long Lived Isotopes, describe:

• The maximum activity in any  container storing solutions or waste, 
• The specific lab procedures to prevent or eliminate any long-lived contamination of the laboratory,
• The procedures or use protocols to assist in the future laboratory close out or decommissioning.

 

Sealed Sources -- If you plan to use radioactive sealed sources or gas chromatograph sources, list for each:

• The isotope;
• The last calibration date and associated activity;
• The manufacturer, model, and serial number;
• Locations of storage and use.

 

Food items or food container use -- If you plan to use any food items or food containers, describe:

• The specific food item(s) used, 
• The food container(s) used, 
• Purpose for use,
• The locations of storage and use,
• The labeling precautions taken to ensure no consumption by humans occur.

 

Live plant use -- If you plan to conduct experiments involving radioactive materials in live   plants, describe:

• The plant type(s), 
• The radioactive materials used, 
• The use procedure(s) involving plants, 
• The location(s) of the plants, 
• The individuals providing care for the radioactive plants, 
• The radiation safety procedures involving the plants, including radioactive waste management. 

 

Animal use -- If you plan experiments involving radioactive materials in live animals, describe:

• The animal type(s) and animal protocol number for each vertebrate type, 
• The radioactive materials used,
• The use procedure(s) involving live animals, 
• The location(s) of animals, 
• The individuals providing care for the radioactive animals, 
• The radiation safety procedures involving animals, including radioactive waste management. 

 

Human use -- If you are applying to use radioactive materials in or on humans, provide copies of the following:

• Board Certification(s),
• State Medical License Registration(s). 

 

Page last updated on April 2, 2019.