Guide to Radiation Safety Services

 

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) provides a variety of services for laboratory workers who use radioactive materials or radiation producing equipment. This guide summarizes EH&S' radiation safety services and provides contact information.

 

Radioactive Material - Unsealed Permits
Authorization to use radioactive materials is granted by the University Radiation Safety Committee. Permits are issued to qualified individuals (principle investigators) who need to use radioactive materials for research or teaching. Permits specify isotopes used and activity limit for each, authorized use areas (rooms) and users, and special precautions to be taken.    

For information contact:

Jeff Leavey, 5-7397

 

Radioactive Material – Sealed Source Permits and Registrations
Authorization to use radioactive sealed sources is granted by the University Radiation Safety Committee. Permits and registrations are issued to qualified individuals (principle investigators) who need to use radioactive sealed sources for research or teaching. Permits specify isotopes used and activity limit for each, authorized use areas (rooms) and users, and special precautions to be taken. Permits or registrations for sealed sources are issued depending on the hazard level of the source.

For information contact:

Marlene Larson, 5-5676

 

Radiation Producing Equipment and Permits
Equipment that produces radiation (X-ray diffraction, electron microscopes, accelerators, etc. must be approved by EH&S prior to purchase. Radiation producing equipment is inspected every six months. Authorization to use radiation producing equipment (RPE)is granted by the University Radiation Safety Committee. Permits are issued to qualified individuals (principle investigators) who need to use RPE for research or teaching. Permits specify specific equipment used, safety aspects for each, authorized use areas (rooms) and users, and special precautions to be taken.

For information contact:

Kevin Fitch, 5-4624

 

Radiation Safety Training
All individuals (including those who have worked with radioactive materials at other institutions) are required to take a 6-hour training course before working with radioactive materials. The course trains individuals how to assess and minimize exposure to radiation and contamination. The course familiarizes individuals with the health risks associated with ionizing radiation, the requirements of the University’s radiation safety program, and procedure to follow in the event of an emergency.

For registration and course schedule information, call 5-8200 or visit the web page: http://www.ehs.cornell.edu/lrs/RadClassForm.htm .

 

Inspections
Each laboratory where radioactive materials are used is inspected by EH&S every 6 months. These inspections include a check for adherence to permitted activities, meter surveys, wipe tests for removable contamination, review of inventory and survey records, monthly inventory reports, and several other items as noted in the Radiation Safety Manual, Inspection and Survey section.

For information contact :  

Kevin Fitch, 5-4624	Wayne Westmiller, 5-0164
Jeff Leavey, 5-7397

 

Ordering and Receiving Radioisotopes
All radioisotope orders are approved by and must be shipped to EH&S at 395 Pine Tree Road, Suite 210 with "attention to" the name of the permit holder. The amount ordered must be within the permit limit.

For information contact:  Wayne Westmiller, 5-0164 or Jeff Leavey, 5-7397

 

Radioisotope Physical Inventory
Twice a year, the permit holder will receive an "Inventory Verification Report" from EH&S.  This report must be signed by the permit holder and returned to EH&S within 15 days of the report date.

For information contact Agnes Morris, 5-5600

 

Central Storage
EH&S provides central storage of isotopes and sealed sources for all campus users. This allows individuals to retain radioactive materials without having to complete monthly inventory reports or surveys.  This service is free of charge.

For information contact :  Wayne Westmiller, 5-0164  or  Marlene Larson, 5-5676

 

Radioactive Waste
EH&S picks up radioactive waste every Tuesday morning that the university is open. Radioactive waste is divided into several distinct categories and should be separated accordingly. Read the Radiation Safety Manual, Waste Disposal section,for proper procedures in preparing your radioactive waste for pickup. A radioactive waste pickup may be requested by calling5-8200 by 4:00 PM Monday. This is a billed service.

For information contact :  Bill Leonard, 5-5616  or  Mike Lonon, 5-6995  

 

Personnel Dosimetry
EH&S provides personnel dosimetry (TLD finger rings and body badges) used to monitor a worker’s radiation dose. Cornell Regulations Section 2.5.2 of the Radiation Safety Manual, describes badge use requirements.  Badges may be ordered by sending a completed badge request form to EH&S. This is a billed service.

For information contact :  Kevin Fitch, 5-4624

 

Meter Calibration
EH&S performs annual calibrations and provides repairs and servicing as needed for portable survey meters. New meters must be calibrated by EH&S before they are placed into service. Read Special Procedure #9 of the Radiation Safety Manual , Special Procedures section for more information. This is a billed service.

For information contact :  Kevin Fitch, 5-4624

 

Airborne Monitoring and Iodinations
EH&S must review and approve procedures involving aerosols, powders, or gaseous radioactive compounds. The concentration of radioiodine in the breathing zone air and air released to the environment is monitored by EH&S twice per year.

For information on airborne radioactivity or iodination monitoring contact: Jeff Leavey, 5-7397 or Wayne Westmiller, 5-0164

 

Billing
Most services provided by EH&S are free of charge. Billed services include waste disposal, meter calibrations, meter repairs, and personnel dosimeters.

For information contact :  Agnes Morris, 5-5600

 

Emergencies
The radiation safety course and the Radiation Safety Manual contain information on emergency response procedures. Every radioactive material use area also has a bright yellow posting describing emergency procedures. All individuals working with radioisotopes must be familiar with this information. Call any of the radiation safety staff listed below for assistance or questions.

 

To report an emergency call Cornell Police 911

EH&S Radiation Staff:

For more information about the contents of this page  
  contact :  Marlene Larson