Number 32 August, 2000
Don't Hesitate - Correlate
Maintaining accountability for material in use and storage is an important responsibility under the law and a good safety practice. You must be able to correlate each of your stock vials with the inventory form issued for it. Each inventory form has a unique 5-digit control number printed on it. There is a simple method for correlating forms and vials that satisfies the regulatory requirement and helps you keep things organized:
- Keep the stock vials inside the plastic shipping containers.
- Write the inventory form control number on the shipping container (a Sharpie™ marker works well).
- Write the date received on the shipping container.
- Destroy all labels and properly dispose of the shipping container when you return the inventory form to ORS.
- If you can't find an inventory form, contact ORS on your campus and we will provide one.
You are required to maintain records of receipt, usage, and disposal for each shipment, and you must demonstrate that all of your radioactive materials are secure and under your control. Do a physical inventory today, and don't let old materials accumulate. And remember, always wear disposable gloves when you handle stock vials or shipping containers.
Disposing of Uranyl Acetate
Uranyl acetate is commonly used as a shadowing medium in electron microscopy, usually as an aqueous or mildly acidic solution. It is an off-the-shelf item for which you don't need a specific license. While it is radioactive, the specific activity is so low that it can be used safely with a few basic precautions such as wearing gloves and washing hands. Likewise, disposal is easy provided you follow a few simple guidelines.
- Never mix uranyl acetate with other staining compounds such as lead citrate or other hazardous chemicals.
- Straight aqueous solutions may be poured down the drain, flushed with plenty of water.
- Dry uranyl acetate may be given to ORS for disposal as a radioactive waste.
Mixing aqueous uranyl acetate solutions with other heavy metals, solvents or other hazardous chemicals may render it impossible to dispose of legally or economically. Please contact us if you have questions about this so we don't end up stuck with something we cannot get rid of!
The use of radioactive materials is a privilege, not a right. Please do your part to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.
Use this NUtrino as a training tool. Circulate it among the radiation workers in your group and have them sign and date the training form on the back. File it with your authorization and other radiation safety documents for review during regulatory inspections. Discuss it during laboratory meetings. We have back issues, or you can print them off the Web.