NUtrino - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - -°n
News and training for radiation workers at Northwestern
University Number
64 August, 2003
Proper Collection of Shipping Containers
A bit of care today can prevent a big headache tomorrow! "Shipping containers" are those blue, yellow or gray plastic housings that your stock vials are shipped in. Occasionally, there may be a lead “pig” between the stock vial and the outer shipping container. Due to regulatory conditions and environmental concerns, lead must be removed before disposal and all labels or markings indicating the presence of radioactive material must be removed. Because sorting through a drum of radwaste to recover shipping containers can be hazardous, we ask that you collect them separately. Do not put them into your dry waste container. ORS will not remove waste from the lab when shipping containers have been improperly mingled with other dry waste. If we discover it after we have brought the waste down to the storage facility we will return it to your lab.
Prevent the headache by collecting shipping containers as follows:
· Remove or deface all radiation labels and markings on the stock vial and plastic outer shipping container. A marker pen works well.
· Segregate stock vials and outer shipping containers by radionuclide and collect them in small boxes.
· Close and tape the boxes shut when they are full. Do not put them inside a dry waste drum.
· Attach a radioactive waste card securely to each box with the name of the authorized investigator, lab, date, radionuclide and the words “shipping containers.”
· Call ORS for pickup.
Plastic Shields Available from ORS Chicago
ORS Chicago has a limited number of plastic shields and boxes that are free for the taking. We've been accumulating them as we clean out abandoned labs. Our supply includes the following.
· 3 Nalgeneä 6700-2418 angled bench shields. We have 3 of these; they cost about $200 new.
· 1 Schleicher & Schell small angled B-safe shield.
· 1 flat bench shield approximately 12 x 16 inches.
· 3 RPI beta boxes appropriate for 1 gallon bottles.
· 1 RPI beta box on wheels, approximately 24" h x 14"w x 16"d (also about $200 new).
· 1 Nalgeneä 6740-1108 flat box
· 1 square box approximately 6"h x 10"w x 10"d.
· 1 homemade "box" without a top, approximately 26" h.
Call us at 3-8300 to arrange for a look.
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/nutrino/index.htm.
Office for Research Safety - Office for Research -
Radiation Safety Committee
Ward B-106 Chicago Campus, phone
3-8300
Tech NG71 Evanston Campus, phone 1-5581