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Thanks for the Great Inspection

 

As we warned you in the last issue of NUtrino, The Division of Nuclear Safety of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) conducted an inspection of the University’s radioactive materials program January 19 through 21, 2005 and only found one item of concern.  In one research laboratory on the Chicago campus, an inspector found radioactive contamination on a bench top where none should have been found. 

 

This finding reinforces the fact that you should survey your work area before leaving it, even for a short time.  The spot of contamination would not have been considered an item of non-compliance if it had been identified and labeled as radioactive.  The specific citation was for failure to perform surveys that evaluate the potential radiological hazard that could be present.

 

An adequate survey for most radionuclides is performed using the portable survey meter with the face of the detector at about one centimeter from the surface being surveyed.  Move the probe slowly over the surface and look for readings significantly above a background level that was measured away from any active use areas.

 

Although our goal is always to have a clear inspection, that goal is a challenge in an institution with the size and complexity of Northwestern.  Two inspectors found only one item during a three-day audit of the program.  Congratulations to everyone.

 

Radiation Safety Committee Authorizes Changes

 

During a regular quarterly meeting of the University’s Radiation Safety Committee, the members approved three changes in the radiation safety program.  Some of the changes cannot be implemented without approval from IEMA but we expect no problem obtaining the approval.

 

·         Irradiator Authorizations.  The Committee voted to authorize the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) to approve investigators who only wish to supervise the use of the gamma irradiators.  Previously, each investigator had to be approved by the Committee. 

·         Inactive Authorizations.  If an authorized investigator is not actively using any licensed material and has no immediate plans to resume such work, that investigator may now be placed on inactive status.  This means he/she could resume work with radioactive material by completing a short review form rather than the longer form used for the initial application.  The change of status from inactive to active can be approved by the RSO and would not require Committee approval.

·         Bioassay Thresholds.  Individuals who work with large enough amounts of certain radionuclides are required to submit urine specimens to ORS for analysis.  This is to identify any ingestion or inhalation of radioactive material.  Because the schedule was developed many years ago before current standards were developed, we took a fresh look at the limits and thresholds.  The threshold of activity that would require bioassay went up for three widely used nuclides, so many of you will no longer be required to provide specimens.  A more detailed discussion of the bioassay program is planned for an upcoming NUtrino.