Radioactive isotopes

Contents:

• Step and precaution
  
• Personal protective equipment
• Regulation - Malaysia and international

Step and Precaution When Dealing With Radioactive Isotopes

1. Eating, drinking, smoking, and the application of cosmetics are prohibited in a room where radioactive materials are used or stored.
2. protective gloves shall be worn when handling contaminated or potentially contaminated items.
3. Pipetting radioactive solution by mouth is prohibited.
4. Persons with open wounds should be particularly careful when working with radioactive materials (the wound should be properly covered).
5. Disposable absorbent pads and remote handling devices shall be utilized whenever possible.
6. Hands should be washed thoroughly after handling radioactive materials, especially before eating.
7. Food items shall not be stored in areas or equipment designated for radioactive materials.
8. Personnel monitoring badges shall be worn in restricted areas, as applicable.
9. Radioactive waste shall be kept in labeled containers.
10. Stock shipments shall be handled and stored in specially designated locations.
11. Good housekeeping shall be maintained at all times. Contamination/spills shall be cleaned up immediately.
12. Follow the established emergency procedures in the case of an accident.
13. Conduct radiation meter surveys after each use and wipe test surveys frequently (document at least monthly). When measurements are abnormal, find the cause and correct.
14. When using volatile radionuclides (e.g. iodine) or heating radioactive solutions, always perform work in a properly operating fume hood.
15. Transport radioactive materials in such a manner as to prevent spillage or breakage and ensure adequate shielding.
16. Label all containers of radioactive materials, including radionuclide, amount and date. All containers except those in immediate use must be labeled.
17. Utilize shielding when necessary to maintain radiation levels as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
18. Store radioactive material in locked cabinets/ refrigerators or keep the laboratory door locked when lab personnel are not present.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the equipment where the wearer must wear protective gears on his or her body for occupational safety and health purpose. In other words, it is use to protect the wearer from danger and other hazardous materials. However, or topic is about radioactive isotopes. Hence, the PPE that are going to talk amount in this topic are related to radioactive isotopes.

When working with radioactive isotopes, PPE is used to prevent contamination of skin or clothing. PPE is required if there is a possibility of contamination. PPE includes:

• Lab coat: The lab coat must be long enough where the sleeves cover from the arms to the wrists, and long enough to cover the torso to the thighs. Wear with the closures fastened.
• Head protection: Might include hard hats or hoods to protect from exposure radioactive isotopes.
• Dust masks and respirators: Used when working in environments with hazardous dusts, vapours, liquids, or gases such as radioactive isotopes. Anyone who uses a respirator as part of the normal job function must be involved in a respirator training program.
• Glasses, goggles, and face shields: Used when working around with radioactive isotopes in liquid form that may splash. Regular prescription glasses do not meet the requirements of safety glasses. Obtain prescription safety glasses.
• Closed-toe shoes: Worn to protect the geets from splashes radioactive substances in liquid form.
• Leg covering and foot protection: Worn to protect the legs from splashes of radioactive isotopes in liquid form.
• Disposable gloves: Worn to protect the skin of the hands and wrists from contamination. Gloves are most effective if two pairs are worn at a time. with the outer pair changed frequently.

Radioactive Regulation in Malaysia

Malaysia Institute of Nuclear Technology Research, MINT was established in 1972 as the Tun Ismail Atomic Research Center (PUSPATI). Started its full operation in June 1982 with the commissioning of its nuclear research reactor. PUSPATI was later renamed the Nuclear Energy Unit (UTN) in June 1983 on being placed under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Department. In October 1990, the UTN was retransferred to the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, and assumed its new identity as MINT in August 10, 1994.

In the quest for a distinct separation of roles between promotional and regulatory function, Act 304, the Atomic Energy Licensing Act of 1984 was formulated, paves the way for the establishment of the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) as a separate entity. A new organization, the Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research (MINT) was approved.

Radioactive Waste Management Policy:


The first law concerning atomic energy was Radioactive Substances Act 1968. Under this, are two regulations: Radioactive Protection Rules (1983), which are basically for medical fields. This Act was repealed by the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (AELA 1984, Act. 304), observed through on February 1, 1985, and enforced on the same date.

Under Act 304, radioactive waste is defined as follows:

• Substance or item which if it is not waste is considered as radioactive material, or;
• Substance or item which has been contaminated during production, storage or use of any radioactive material, nuclear material or prescribed substance, or by contact with or proximity to any other waste within the meaning of paragraph (a) of this definition.

Regulatory Framework/ Body

Two ministries are involved in matters related to usage of radioactive materials or nuclear technology: the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (MOSTE) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). MOSTE has the responsibility for most of the activities related to usage of radioactive materials and nuclear technology except medical. Under MOSTE, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) is the regulatory body, in which the main function are to exercise control and supervision over production, application and usage of radioactive and nuclear technology and advising the Minister and the Government on related matters. The role of the Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Research (MINT) is on promoting the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purpose on provides waste management services at institutional and national level.

All users of radioactive materials are required to be registered and be licensed by the competent authority, Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB). Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Tecnology Research (MINT) has been given the responsibility to provide services in the management of the radioactive wastes produced in Malaysia. Users without facilities and waste management expertise are to request for assistance from MINT regarding their problems. All services are chargeable depending on the type and characteristics of the wastes.

Responsibility of License Holder

The Act. 304 generally covers all fields of application and several regulations have been formulated, namely:

• Radiation Protection (Licensing) Regulation 1986
• Radiation Protection (Basic Safety Standard) Regulation 1988
• Radiation Protection (Transport) Regulation 1989
• Radiation Protection (Transport)(Amendment) Regulations

International Radioactive Regulations

The nuclear reactors that produce radioisotopes bombard atoms with high-energy neutrons. The research reactors used for this purpose do not produce electricity and are much smaller in size and power the large power reactors. Research reactors are mostly used for training and for identifying the composition of certain elements. There are forty-seven research reactors are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NCR) to operate in the United States alone. They are located mostly at large universities. Because of the potentially hazardous properties of radioisotopes, their use must be closely regulated to ensure the public health and safety are protected.

Example of use of isotopes and its limit:

• The Local Fire Officer should be notified of the location, nature and amount of all licensed radioactive sources. All isotopes must be stored in the fridge or freezer.
• Personnel who have not handled radioisotopes before must go through the working routines with the procedures in the lab. Introductory course on Radiation Safety and practice should be carried out before any new personnel enter the laboratories.
• Before ordering, check the supply of isotopes. Upon receipt of the isotope leave the specificaton sheet in the radioisotope folder in the drawer in Vestibule. An isotope record must be carried out whenever a radiochemical has been delivered.
• Isotopes Not On the License must not be used without seeking an amendment to the license. Notification of intent to import and work with another isotope should be forwarded in writing on or two month(s) in advance to inform supervisors or the person in charge (PIC).
• For the radioisotope working area, swab down with Lipsol after use. Keep work area clear after use. Store all materials for example gloves, cling film, forceps, micropipettes, tips, etc. in the underneath press. A Prespex box may be necessary to store micropipettes in the press. Work in the fume hood when using radioactive material that may give rise to air-born contamination, especially solids/solutions prepared in organic solvents. Fume hood faces must be kept down at all times to ensure proper air flow.
• Radioisotope stocks and dilutions must be stored in the fridge/freezer. This must be kept locked when the lab is not in use. All Phosphorus-32 must be kept in a Perspex box or in its original shielded container in fridge/freezer. All radioactive substances shall be clearly identified, segregated from non radioactive substances and be securely stored. Radioactive isotopes should not be allowed to store in unmarked lab areas.
• Before liquid waste is disposed, it should be ensured the level is within the set limit and the amount disposed of by pouring slowly down the sink with copious amounts of tap water, The tap should be left running for at least 12 minute after disposal. A maximum of 5L (2x2.5L) of scintillation fluid should be poured down sink daily.
• Solid waste generated by Hydrogen-3 (tritium) and Carbon-14 users must not be stored. Gloves, must be swabbed with Lipsol before removal and disposal in the ordinary waste. Pipette tips and glass pipettes must be rinsed 3x in Lipsol prior to disposal in ordinary waste. Only if there is a spillage should tissues/other solid material containing hydrogen-3 (tritium) and Carbon-14 be kept/stored in the waste room in a clearly labeled container. Local Radiation Safety officer must be informed if Carbon-14 or Hydrogen-3 (tritium) solid waste has to be stored.

Reference:

1. http://www.researchsea.com/html/institutions.php/iid/128/research/malaysian_institute_for _nuclear_technology_research_mint_.html
2. http://www.fnca.mext.go.jp/english/rwm/news_img/rwm_cr03_06.pdf
3. http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/brochures/bro217/r1/bro217r1.pdf
   

Prepared by:

1. CALVIN LEE WENG LEONG - SB09017
2. ONG JEE JIAN - SB09028
3. CHAT KAR HOE - SB09053
4. RABEAH ADAWIYAH ABDUL RAZAK - SB09062
5. TAN MEI YIN - SB09010
6. GAN SIEW MEI - SB09025