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Safety

Radiation

The use of radioactive materials (RAM) in the clinical laboratory is the most strictly regulated safety domain, overseen by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or state agencies. Compliance requires a rigid administrative framework (“Cradle-to-Grave” tracking) and disciplined physical handling techniques. The primary goal is to protect personnel and the environment from ionizing radiation using the ALARA principle: keeping doses As Low As Reasonably Achievable

Licensing, Documentation, & Management

  • Licensure: Laboratories operate under a “Specific License” which dictates exactly which isotopes (e.g., I-125) and activities may be possessed
  • The RSO: The Radiation Safety Officer is the legally responsible authority for the program, managing training, audits, and compliance
  • Documentation: Every microcurie must be tracked
    • Receipt: Packages are wiped-tested for leaks upon arrival
    • Inventory: Usage logs must be updated daily; physical inventory is taken quarterly
    • Dosimetry: Staff exposure is monitored using badges (Film/OSL/TLD). Pregnant workers may voluntarily declare pregnancy to receive stricter fetal dose limits

Handling & Protection

Safe handling relies on the three pillars of radiation safety:

  1. Time: Minimize the duration of exposure
  2. Distance: Double your distance to reduce exposure by 75% (Inverse Square Law). Use tongs/forceps; never touch vials with fingers
  3. Shielding: Use Lead for Gamma emitters (I-125) and Acrylic/Plastic for Beta emitters (P-32). Caution: Lead can cause dangerous scatter (Bremsstrahlung) with strong Beta sources

PPE and Work Area

  • Wear gloves (double-gloving recommended), buttoned lab coats, and dosimeter badges
  • Work over plastic-backed absorbent paper and inside spill trays to contain accidents

Decontamination & Disposal

  • Spills: Alert the area, contain with absorbent pads, and clean from the “outside in” using specialized detergents (Radiacwash). Survey with a Geiger counter to ensure background levels are reached
  • Skin: Wash with mild soap and tepid water; do not scrub or abrade the skin
  • Disposal (Decay-in-Storage): Short-lived isotopes are held for 10 Half-Lives until radioactivity is negligible. Once surveyed and confirmed as background, labels are defaced, and the material is discarded as regular trash. Mixed waste (radioactive + chemical) and sharps require specialized handling