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Radioactive Waste Disposal
With the exception of approved sharps containers, the materials
and supplies required by this procedure are supplied by the
Environmental Management Division of EHS. Sharps containers
must be procured by the Authorized User/Generator.
General Instructions:
1. Review waste disposal procedures with the Radiation Safety
Office and the Environmental Management Division in the planning
stages of all experiments. Information on the generation
of radioactive
waste must be explained in Section 2.7 of the Basic Research
Application.
2. All radioactive waste must be stored in containers provided
and/or approved by EHS. Prior to generating radioactive waste,
request waste containers by calling Ext. 6-7207 or supplying
the Environmental Management Division with
a Radioactive Waste Removal Request Form that requests necessary/required
containers.
3. Segregate wastes according to isotope and waste form (i.e.
dry solid waste, sharps, organic scintillation fluid and
its associated liquid scintillation vials, biodegradable
scintillation vials and it associated liquid scintillation
vials, aqueous solutions, organic solutions, and animal/pathological
waste)
4. Each waste container should be accompanied by a "CAUTION
- RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label and a "Radioactive
Waste Disposal Log Sheet". If a waste container
is missing either the label or log sheet they can be
obtained from the Environmental Management Division by
calling 6-7207.
5. An entry on the "Radioactive Waste Disposal Log Sheet" shall
be annotated each time radioactive waste is placed into the
container.
Disposal Instructions:
1. Prior to requesting a waste pick-up, the following procedures
shall be followed for each waste forms:
a. Dry or Solid Radioactive Waste:
Place the dry, solid radioactive waste in a 2 ft3 fiberboard
box lined with a clear trash bag. The lined fiberboard box
will be supplied by EHS. Ensure that the "CAUTION
- RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label and the "Radioactive
Waste Disposal Log Sheet" are correctly and
completely filled out. When the box is full, twist and tape the bag
closed, close and tape the box shut. Do not overfill the
box.
b. Liquid Radioactive Waste
Collect the liquid portion of the waste in the 1-gallon container
supplied by EHS. Identify all organic solvents and other
hazardous chemicals that have been added to the container
on the attached "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
and the "Radioactive Waste Disposal Log Sheet".
Ensure that the "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
and the "Radioactive Waste Disposal Log Sheet" are
correctly and completely filled out. Tightly screw the lid
closed on the container.
c. Liquid Scintillation Vials (LSV)
Place the capped vials into either a 30 gallon drum or a five
gallon pail supplied by EHS. The drum/pail should be double
lined with plastic bags prior to disposing of LSV. Ensure
that the "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
and the "Radioactive Waste Disposal Log Sheet" are
correctly and completely filled
out. Including identification of the liquid scintillation
cocktail and other chemicals that are being disposed. When
the drum/pail is full, place the lid on the container and
on drums place
the retaining
ring around the upper lip. EHS personnel will fasten the
bolt around the retaining ring when the drum is picked up.
d. Radioactive Contaminated "Sharps" (needles,
syringes, scalpel blades, etc.)
Affix a "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
to a designated "sharps" container. To request
a "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
or "Radioactive Waste Disposal Log Sheet" call
the Environmental Management Division at 6-7207. Place the "sharps" in
the designated "sharps" container. Do not recap,
bend, remove, or clip needles. Fill the container until 3/4
full. Close the container cap securely. Ensure that the "CAUTION
- RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label and the "Radioactive
Waste Disposal Log Sheet" are correctly and completely filled out.
e. Small Animal Carcasses and Tissues
Place the animals/tissues in a plastic bag. Twist the bag
at the top, bend the twisted portion to form a loop and seal
the loop with filament tape. Place the bag into a second
bag and twist the second bag at the top, bend the twisted
portion to form a loop and seal the loop with filament tape.
Affix a "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
to the outer container. Ensure that the "CAUTION
- RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label and the "Radioactive
Waste Disposal Log Sheet" are correctly
and completely filled out.
To request a "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
or "Radioactive Waste Disposal Log Sheet" call
the Environmental Management Division at 6-7207. Freeze the
container until it is picked up.
f. Animal Bedding and Waste
Place the bedding/waste into a plastic bag. Twist the bag
at the top, bend the twisted portion to form a loop and seal
the loop with filament tape. Place the bag into a second
bag and twist the second bag at the top, bend the twisted
portion to form a loop and seal the loop with filament tape.
Affix a "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
to the outer container. Ensure that the "CAUTION
- RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label and the "Radioactive
Waste Disposal Log Sheet" are correctly
and completely filled out.
To request a "CAUTION - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL" label
or "Radioactive Waste Disposal Log Sheet" call
the Environmental Management Division at 6-7207.
2. Special Instructions.
a. Never place radioactive waste containers in the corridors.
All radioactive waste must be secured in a radioactive material
area.
b. Never place lead shielding inside of waste containers,
this includes lead lined vial shielding.
c. Fill out the Radioactive
Waste Removal Request Form to request
a radioactive material/waste pick-up. The request
form can be faxed to EHS at 6-8212 or mailed to the
Environmental Management Division, Environmental
Health and Safety, 714 W. Lombard St. via the campus
mail. This
form is also available for download in Word and PDF
formats.
d. ***OR*** Try out our Online Radioactive Waste Removal
Request Form.
Go to Radioactive Waste Defined
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