NUtrino - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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News and training for radiation workers at Northwestern
University
Number 52 June, 2002
Brian Wimmer Takes Reins in Evanston
We are pleased to
announce that Brian Wimmer has been promoted to the position of health
physicist on the Evanston campus, replacing Kevin Francis, who has left the
University. Brian is eminently well qualified for the task, having received his
M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering/health physics at Northwestern under
Professor Herman Cember in the Civil Engineering department. Brian brings a lot
of experience to the job as well. He started working for ORS in 1990, and since
1994 he has been our Evanston campus laboratory safety specialist and one of
our content experts in biological safety. Please give Brian a warm welcome to
the radiation safety program.
Vacuum
Pump with No Trap Creates Mixed Waste
We recently removed a
vacuum pump from a radiation laboratory where vacuum was used to suction vials
containing tritium (H-3). When we tested the pump oil we found that it was
contaminated. Big problem! Oil contaminated with a long-lived radionuclide is a
mixed waste, and disposal of mixed waste is notoriously difficult and expensive.
There is an easy way to
prevent chemical and radiological contamination of both house vacuum systems
and vacuum pumps. Two 500 ml or larger flasks connected in series are all you
need. Ask ORS for a schematic.
Sanitary
Sewer Disposal of Radioactive Liquids is Prohibited
Disposal down the
sanitary sewer of any radioactively contaminated liquid is prohibited without
specific, prior approval of the radiation safety officer. The only exceptions
are 1) you can pour second rinses of aqueous liquids down the drain provided
they do not contain any hazardous chemicals, and 2) you can pour aqueous
solutions of uranyl acetate down the drain. All other liquid wastes except
liquid scintillation fluids must be collected in our standard containers. If
you generate large quantities of buffers or other low-activity liquids, please
contact us for instructions.
Use this NUtrino as a training tool for new workers and required
annual refresher training for current workers. 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 at
http://www.northwestern.edu/research-safety/rad/rino/nutindex.htm.
Office for Research Safety - Office of the Vice President for Research - Radiation Safety Committee
Ward B-106 Chicago Campus, phone
3-8300 Tech NG71 Evanston Campus, phone
1-5581