Transferring and Disposing of RAM

RAM may be transferred to:

  • EHS to ship a sample offsite or dispose of a sealed source via the vendor
  • Another RAM permit on campus
  • An approved user off campus but within walking distance (i.e. the VA Hospital)

If you would like to transfer RAM, you will need to:

  • Verify that the user receiving the material is authorized for the radionuclide and activity to be transferred. You can work with EHS for this portion.
  • Radioactive material to be transferred must be packaged to minimize external dose rates and to ensure that the material is well contained, including double containment for liquids.  Ensure that it is free from external contamination (200 dpm/100 cm2). If you plan to walk the material, consider using a cart to push the RAM in rather than carrying it depending on the dose rates of the package. This is a good ALARA practice.
  • Contact your assigned HP for packaging, marking and labeling instructions, if necessary.
  • Fill out either the Notification of Radioactive Material Transfer form or the Request for Radioactive Material Transfer form found under the Rad Forms link to the right.
    • The Notification of Radioactive Material Transfer form is used to document that RAM was transferred by the PI either to another PI at MU or to the VA Hospital. In order to perform this, you must walk all RAM to the final destination.
    • If you need EHS' assistance in transporting RAM either across campus or offsite, the Request for Radioactive Material Transfer form shall be filled out and submitted to EHS.
    • If you are unsure what you need to do, contact your assigned HP for additional assistance.
    • Both forms allow for EHS to transfer the RAM in the PI's inventory displayed in EHSA so that it reflects current on-hand balances. It is imperative that you notify EHS of all transfers performed.
  • Retain a copy of the completed forms for your records. The following information must be included:
    • A contact person (name and phone),
    • The transferring and receiving PI's (names, numbers, and locations),
    • radionuclide,
    • Activity,
    • Inventory number,
    • Transfer date,
    • Verification that the packaging, labeling, contamination requirements have been met,
    • Verification that the receiving PI's RAM permit limit has not been exceeded by receiving the transfer (which includes the amount on-hand, including waste that has not been transferred to EHS, plus the amount of the transfer). 

 

Note: For all transfers by vehicle, the transferring PI must contact their assigned HP to arrange for EHS pickup and shipment of the material.  EHS will ensure the material is properly classified, marked, labeled and packaged for transport.

 

 

PREPARE AND REQUEST A PICKUP OF RADWASTE

Segregation
  • Segregate all radwaste into the following forms: Solids, Liquids, Stock, Scintillation Vials, Gases, Animal Carcasses or Tissue(s), and Animal Waste. These forms then need to be further segregated according to radionuclide and other hazardous material components when possible. Label all containers that have an EHS "Radioactive Hazardous Material" label with this information. List all contents of the waste container on the HML-R including all radionuclides present.
  • For liquid radwaste, a sample aliquot measurement of the activity may provide the easiest and most accurate estimate of the overall activity.  A composite sample may be used for multiple gallon jugs of the same radionuclide and hazard class.  Be sure to list the activity as of the date of request.
  • Keep unwanted stock containers separate for pickup.  Containers with lead shielding must not be disposed of in normal trash, but must be returned to EHS for disposal or recycling. 

 

 

Records
  • Calculate all activities to the date of the requested pickup. Ensure to date on bottom of form. 
  • Review activity balances for receipts, samples, and different radwaste types to ensure all incoming activity has been accounted for. 

 

Requesting and Obtaining a Rad Waste Pickup
  • Complete a Radwaste Pickup Request through Environmental Health & Safety Assistant (EHSA). To log into EHSA, use the EHS Assistant page and click 'Login to EHS Assistant.' For additional help in submitting a RAM waste pickup request, tutorial videos are available on the EHS Assist Tutorials page. Watching the videos in the following order will help with submitting a RAM waste pickup request:
    1. Create a RAM Waste Container
    2. Using and Tracking RAM
    3. Create a RAM Waste Request
  • Each container or item must have its own “Radioactive Hazardous Material” label and be listed separately online in EHSA.
  • Different physical forms of rad waste must be packaged and listed separately. 
  • Mark the appropriate physical form box and provide the quantity in the listed units.
  • List the percent (%) by volume of each chemical component (estimate as necessary) for each pickup item. 
  • Materials listed on the "Radioactive Hazardous Material" label must match the components listed in EHSA.
  • Liquids must have a pH greater than 5.5 and less than 9.5.  If the pH is not within this range, adjust the pH with an appropriate acid or base.  Any addition of acid or base used to adjust the pH must also be listed as a component on the label and on the form. 
  • List the radionuclide and activity in mCi (decayed or measured as of date of request).
  • Non-contaminated empty lead pigs can be added in the comments section of each pickup request.
  • If more bags or jugs are required, you can write your request in the comments section of each pickup request.
  • Contact your assigned HP if you have any questions. 

 

 

Routine pick-up routes have been established for some areas of campus.  Request forms must be received before 8:00 am on the scheduled pickup day to have your radwaste considered for pickup that day.

EHS will try to complete requested pickups as soon as possible, and will alert the PI if pickup cannot be done within two weeks of the request.

If information is incomplete online, or if there is a question about the request, processing of the request may be delayed. 

 
Pickup of Radwaste

At time of pickup, someone in your area must be available to allow access to your radwaste, answer any questions concerning the radwaste, and correct any problems.

If you cannot be in the immediate area, leave a note to alert EHS staff how to locate you.  If you cannot be reached within 15 minutes, your radwaste may not be picked up on that day.

If your EHSA request form is not complete, is incorrect, or there is a problem with the form or hazard of your radwaste, your pickup may be delayed until the corrections have been made. 

 
Inventory Records

Update your records to reflect that the activity of the radwaste, which was removed from your lab, is no longer possessed under your RAM permit.

 

Note: Contact your assigned HP for any special radwaste handling needs or questions. 

Page last updated on August 23, 2023.