ML20003D546

Addendum 1 to Radiological Safety Manual

ML20003D546
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Site:	07001207
Issue date:	05/23/1979
From:	NAVY, DEPT. OF
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P5100.5A-ADD-1, NUDOCS 8103270647
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Text

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SAFETY MANUAL M

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!M PART 1:

ION! ZING RADIATION 1

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PART I:

IONIZING RADIATION INTRCDUCII,0N-1.

PURPOSE

. These procedures are intended to serve as a guide for Laboratory personnel engaged in operations involving the use of radioactive materials and other radiation producing devices.

It airo provides information on the activities anE responsi-bilities cf the Health Physics Di'-ision, the Medical Officer, j

.and the Radiation Safety committee, as they relate to the Laboratory Radiological Safety Program.

s 2.

POLICY The NCL Radiological Safety Committee is responsible for i

reviewing and approving radiation safety policies of the Laboratory.

pr4-wy responsibility for radiation safety control at

' ~,

NOL is dssigned to the Chief, Health Physics Division.

J',

Health Physics is also responsible 'for directing and imple-menting nuclear policies and procedures approved by the Committee.

Laboratory policies governing the possession and use of licensable nuclear materials are commensurate. with the Ato. ic

' Energy Commission regulations., It is the joint i esponsibil-l ities of management, s.upervision and users of radioactive -

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materials to comply with these regulations.

l 1

1 l

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CONTINTS Page I.

INT.;ODUCTION.......................................

1 A.

Radiological Safety....................

1

~

B.

External Guides.................................

1 II.

RADIOLCGICAL SAFSrY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.......,3..................-........

1

'A.

Fealth Physics Divisicn........................

1 3.

Medical Officer................................

2 Radiological Saf ety Cc::mittee..................

3

)

C.

~

.III.

R7.DIATION SAF EIY PRACTICIS.........................

4

~A... Accountability and Control.....................

4 L.

'B.

Collection and Disposal of Radioactive Wastes..

4 i.

Solid Wastes...............................

5 2.

L iquid Waste s..............................

5 i

3.

Ultimate Disposa1..........................

5 C.

Contamination Limits...........................

5 l'

7 Internal...................................

5

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2.

Surface....................................

5 3.

Air and Water Contamination................

6 D.

Criticality Precautiens........................

6

~

i 1.

Unsealed Quantities of Special Nuclear i

Material...................................

6 2.

Sealed Sources.............................

6 E.,

Decontamination................................

7

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1.-

Are a Decontamination.......................

7 2.

Equipment Decontamination..................

7 3

3.

Personnel Decontaminatien...................

7 5

F.

Emergency Procedures...........................

8 G.

Environmental Monitoring.......................

8 1.

Routine Monitoring.........................

8

.j 2.

Special Monitoring.........................

9 H.

Leak Testing Procedures........................

9 1.

Te chniques Euployed........................ ~ 9 i

2.

Counting Methods...........................

10 i

I. Maximum Permissible Exposure Limits............

10 J.

Medical Examin ations..........................,.11 3

1.

Radiological He alth Examinations........... 11

-5 2.

Radiological Accidents.....................

12 3.

Routine Urina1yses.........................

12 4.

Special Examinations.......................

12

,4' 5.

Visitors in Work Status....................

12 E

K.

Monitoring Instruments.........................

13 1.

Dosimetric Devices.........................

13 5-2.

F il m B adg e s................................. 13 5

3.

Pocket Ionization Chambers................. 13 I

11

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CONTETTS Page L.

Fersonnel Monitoring...........................

14 1.

Radiation Received at NOL..................

14 a.

Film Badges............................

14 b.

' Pocket Dosimeters......................

14 2.

Individual Responsibility..................

15 Y.

Visitors.......'...........................

15 f.

Radiation Received Away frcm UOL...........

15 5'.

Internal Contamination.....................

15 6.

Personnel Contamination....................

15 7;

Notification of Expo sure...................

16 N.

rersonal Protection............................

16

~ Protective Clothing.............................

16 N.

O.

Plutonium S af e ty Requireme'nts..................

17 1.*

Criticality................................

17 17' 2.

Pyrophoricity..............................

~

J.

Toxicity...................................

17

.4.

Plutonium Storage and Fire Protection......

18 i

'P.

Posting and Labeling...........................

18 i

g.

Procurement Control............................

19 R.

Radiation Survey Procedures....................

20 i

S.

Relative Degrees of Radiation Hazards..........

21 i

T.

Remote Handling Equipment......................

23 23 U.

S'oecial Warning Requirements...................

23 l.

Radiating Machi n e s.........................

23

2. - S e aled S our ce s..............................

3.

Contaminated Areas and Equipment...........

23 i.

V.

Storing and Handling Radioactive Materials.....

24 W.

Transfer of Material...........................

25 2

Tritium S af e gu ards........... '..................

25

'3.

Precautions................................

25 E

2..

Monitoring.................................

26 i'

Y.

Work Performed Af ter Regular Working Hours.....

26 Z.

Zone Precautionary Measures....................

27 1.

Zone Designations..........................

27 1 -

a.

Zone 1 - Radiation-Free Areas..........

27

~

b.

Zone 2 - Possible Contamination Areas..................................'

27 i

c.

Zone 3 - Radiation Area................

27 d.

Zone 4 - High Radiation Are a...........

27 i "

28 j

GLOSSART................................................

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REFERDiCES (a)

AEC Cede of Fede.al Regulations, Titie 10, Part 20, "Sta.dards for Prot.ection Against Radiation. "

(b)

NAV2L0 P-5055, Radiological Health Protection Manual.

(c)

PORACC, Vols I, II, III, Principles of Radiati.on and i.

Conta,mination Control.

(d)

TID-7016, Rev I, Nuclear Safety Guide, 1.961e (e)

Hazardous Materials Regulations of the Department of

' Transportation, Tariff No. 23,.1969.

f (f)

NOLINSTR P5100.5A, Safety Manual

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RADIATIt.N SAFETY I.

INTRODUCTION A.

Radiolacical Safety 1.

The serious nature of radiation hazards requires that we observe most scrupulous precautions when working with radioactive materials.

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No amount of radiation exposure should be incurred i

unless 1.t is necessary and warranted.

Therefore, every indi-vidual case of the use of ionining.. radiation should be care-

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fully evaluated and used only if its use is considered more advisable than any other methods of investigation.

i 3.

Radiation will be confined at the source.

Pre--

' cautions will be taken to ensure that utilization of radiation' i

i and radioactive sources do not jecpardize other experiments, operations or activities.

?!

4.

Although each individual must always be concerned and responsible for his own safety, supervisors at all echelons are directly responsible for the safety of all personnel and 8

operations under their, control.

.I E;,3xternal Guides l-r 1.

The Laboratory obtains and uses radioactiv'e materials under licenses granted by the U.

S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).

Under these licenses, the Laboratory is subject to inspection and control requirements as outlined in the AEC Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10 (ref (a) ).

2. -Personnel working with radioactive materials must also comply with the requirements of NAVMED P-5055 (ref (b) ),

and other cognizant Naval activities.

II. RADIOLOGICAL SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES A.

Health Physics Division l

The Health Physics Division is responsible for' the i

overall implementation and supervision of the Laboratory's Radiological Safety P: ogram.

Operating as a part of the j*

Safety Department, the Division serves the entire Laboratory.

Specifically, the functions of the Division are to:

i 1.

Interpret or modify existing radiological safety regulations.

In addition, the Division will formulate new 1

radiological safety regulations for the safe handling, utili-zation and, exposure to radiation, which will be. submitted to the Radiological Safety Committee for approval.

2.

Provide consultative services to project leoders, scientists, investigators, technicians, and others, with regard to safety in the care and use of radioactive material and radiation' producing devices.

3.

Provide film 'dosiretry for all Laboraccry peri sonnel and visitors who work with or near radiation sources.

nterpret and report results obtained from these devices and forward.them to the Medical Departrent for permanent filing.

4.

Paview all requests for radioisotcpes and irradiatiod services to assure that the proposals conform to licensing. requirements.

5.

Maintain a central inventory of all radicactive and radiation producing equipment utilized in the Laboratory.

6.

Advise in the procurement of special nuclia--

niaterials.

7.

Provide advice in the planning for safe and legal d4.spocal of radioactive waste and moni tor actual operations.

8.

easure and record the radiation levels and con-centrations of liquid and airborne radioactive materials being 3

discharged within the Laboratory.

Periodic surveys in the form of air and water samples are also. performed to determine and control any release of radioactivity outside the confir.es of the Laboratory.

9..

Review and make recon =endations on the rad-safa aspects of all new facilities involving radiation machines or radioactive materials.

l 10.

Assist in training and indoctrination of personnel i

in radiological safety.

~

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11.

Per' form eva'Luation and project development in the field of health physics for a sponsor.

This work should be related to laboratory problems.

B.

Medica 1 Officer i

i-The Medical Officer is responsible. fci the industrial health of Laboratory personnel.

Specifically, he, performs tl.e following functions related to radiological safety.-

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1.

Revibws all instances of radiological exposure in excess of the permissible limits (see Page 10) and pre-pares repcrts of such exposures for submission to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED).

2.

Investigates medical aspects of the radiological safety program of the Laboratory.

3 Conducts pre-employment and terminal physical examinations of all personnel who kill be or have been exposed to. radiation in their normal work function.

4.. Performs radiolcgical health examinaticas, as

. required by NAVMED P-5055.

~ 5.

Assists in the radiobiological assay progra= to j

determine possible' internal exposure.

6 Maintains records of personnel exposures and interpretations.

7.-

Compiles and interprets data from radioclinical laboratory analyses performed by the Health Physics Division.

He also recemrends appropriate action as indicated.

C.

Radiolacical Safety Cosmittee

,1.

This Committee is responsible for performance of the following functions:

Approve radiological saf'ety policies and a.

procedures for.the Laboratory.

b.

Review proposed procedures for operations,

^

experiments,, or tests involving radiation and/or radioactive materials. -

c.

Assist the Health Physics Division in the enforcement of radiation safety practices as set out in the NOL Radiological Safety Procedures.

.d.

Develop a criterion of evaluation for qualification of users of radioisotopes and other sources of ionizing radiation.

e.,

Approve or disapprove applications for senior users of radioactive materials.

f.

Consider and pass judgement on. major equip-ment and facility needs of the various users of radioactive materials at NOL.

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g.

Keep current on present and amended parts of the Federal Regulations pertinent to the conduct of the radiation safety program.

h.

Maintain records of Committee a,ction.

i.

Review plans for all new buildings and modification of existing structures where radioactive materials are to be used.

j.

Serve as a reviewing committee for investi '

gations of radiological incidents and make appropriate i

recciamendations to management to include the Directorate, the Technical Director and/or Conunanding Officer. '

2.

Membershio The membership of this Committee shall be as follows:

a.

At least one member (or alternate) from each Department utilizing sources of radiation.

The. Committee Chairman is selected frcm this group.

b.

The Radiological Safety Officer (represent-ing Health Physics).

Ex Officio Member and Recorder.. -

c The Medical Officer.

d. - Assistant for Nuclear Energy.

III.

RADIATION SAFETY PRACTICES A.

Accountability and Control The Health Physics Division maintains inventories.

of all radioactive materials within NOL.

Inventories are l

inclusive of byproduct, special nuclear, and source materials.

l These materials are governed by the following regulations issued by the AEC:

Title 10 CFR - Parts 20, 30 - 36, 40, and 70._

Health Physics is also responsible for accountability control over certain unlicensed materials.

These materials include both ionizing and non-ionizing sources of radiation.

It is mandstory that all authorized users-inform the Health Physics Division with regard to the location and uses of such materials and equipment.

B.

Collection and Discosal of Radioactive Wastes.

1 4

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i 1.

Solid Wastes Special waste containers with disposable liners 5

are provided by the Health Physics Division to the various Departments utilining radioactive materials for the collect-

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ion-and temporary storage of low-level radioactive wastes.

15 These recepticles are yellow in color and contain the magenta

'i radiation symbol and the wordi,ng " Caution - Radioactive Materials."

m e Health Physics Division is responsible for.

collecting the contents of these containers on a routine 5

basis.

Collected wastes are then placed in storage under the

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direct supervision of Health Physics prior to ultimate dis

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-posal to a cormercial waste disposal company.

2 3

2.

Licuid Nastes t t Carboys will be provided to laboratories 5

employing liquid radioisotopes for the collection and contain-

' ment of medium-level wastes.

These radioactive wastes will i

consist primarily of sfirst-wash solutions.

Further washings j

of glassware will be restricted to certal:i designated sinks located in each of the laboratories using radioisotopes.-

A 1,000 gallon capacity holding tank will be situated approxi-5 mately 10 feet from the south wall of the Radiochemistry Building (Bldg. 343) - for the retention of medium-level liquid wastes.

The contents of this tank will be periodically

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sample:u for radioactivity by Health Physics personnel.

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3.

Ultimate Discosal j

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Solid radioactive vastes and carboys contain -

ing liquid wastes will ultimately be disposed of to a commercial firm through an Interservice Agreement between j

the Army, Edgewood Arsenal and the Naval Ordnance Labo.'.atory.

Records will be maintained by the Health i

Physics Division, of the kinds, quantities and dates of i;

measurement of all radioactive collections and disposals.

C.

Contamination Limits i.

1.

Internal The Radioactivity Concentration Guides (RCG ' s) as recommended by the International Cormission on Radiological Protection will serve as the laboratory guide with respect j

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to contamination internal to the body.

E 2.

Surface i

The RCG's for surface contamination in radiation areas (see Section Y) are listed as follows:p

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Alpha ' Emitters 500 d/ min -

1,000 d/ min -

20d/mgn-S 100 cm2 100 cm2 100 cm

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Beta-Gamma

0. 2 mrad /hr 1.0 crad/nr 200 d/ min at 1 cm at 1 cm 100 cm2 E

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(For tritium, the removable limit is 10,000 d/ min - 100 cm.)-

2 3.

If any of the above maximum or removable values are exceeded-/

irmediate action will be taken to isolate, contain and/or do.'.

contaminate the area or personnel involved.

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3.

Air and Water Contamination The Laboratory will comply with the requirement.s j-of 10 CFR 20, Appendix B, of the U. S. Atomic Energy Co::r..ission with respect to air and water contamination limits.

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D.

, =.

Criticalitv Precautions Speci.al precautions are required to assure that' the inadvertent accumulation of a sufficient cuantity of

i

^

special nuclear materials (U233, u235, Pu239, or other fission-able material) necessary to create a critical mass with'an attendant nuclear chain reaction wnl't happen.

Requirements are as fellows-l.

Unsealed Guantities of Goecial Nucleer Material

[

One " unit".is defined as 250 grams of any unsealed special nuclear material.

No more than one unit mav be used in a room at any time.

No quantities of unsealed i-special nuclear material greater than'one gram may be used in rooms adjacent to a room where one unit is being used.

The l

Health Physics Division must be notified in advance before gram quantities of unsealed special nuclear material may be l,-

moved from any room.

Quantities of special nuclear material greater than one gram not in use should be stored under the care of the Health Physics Division.

2.

Sealed Sources The " sealed source" configuration must meet the criteria established in TID-7016, " Nuclear, Safety Guide,"

l l

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6 g

(ref. (d)), 2or suberiticality by virtue of quantity, size, volume

n. dimension before procurement or use in the labora-tory.

In addition, the basic configuration of the sealed source s' tall not be altered in any way during use.

Additional quantiti.:s of special nuclear materials shall not be used or stored in the sarre or in adjacent rooms.

E.

recontamination 1.

Area Decontamination

.f Decontamination of a work area shall be done by personnet normally using the space or by the Public Works -

Department personnel, depending upon the type of effort required.

Health Physics persont.el will perform all necessary monitoring surveys, make recor.r.endations for decontamination l

procedures and arrange for participation of other personnel, as necesrary.

2.

Ecuieretit E>econtamination.

Equipment used in the laboratory or on field operations may become contaminated to the extent that radio-logical controls are required prior to further use or storage.

For uncontrolled use, it is mandatory that all equipment be decontat.nated to final or standard clearance levels giver. in section,C., Arrangements ror evlipment decontamination shall be made' in "accordance with controlled maintenance work as described above.

'3.

Personnel Decontamination -

There.is no completely standardized system for skin decontamination.

However, certain general methods have been f airly successful and these are incorporated in the pro-cedure which is po.sted in each skin decontamination kit.

These hits are available from the Health Physics' Division.

They should be obtained by non-contaminated personnel or before operations start as spelled out in the appropriate i

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The Health Physics i

Division must te contacted whenever personal contamination has not been completely removed by washing with soap and water.

Personal clothing that has becor.e contaminated rmist be removed and then decontaminated.

In no case will contaminated clothing be worn away from the Laboratory.

The Health Physics Divisien will be advised of all instances of personal contamination and will recorzand corrective action.

S 8

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d.trcenev Procedures A radiation in.cident could occur in spite of our

.i best efforts to saf egiard the use of radioactive materia.s.

~

The incident may he in the form of a spilled radioactive.

liquid sample, a crushed radioactive solid source or a leak-l.

ing radioactive sealed source.

There could also be a fire er explosive incident involving udioactive scurces.

In the event of any of the above, there is a strong possibility that

,j this interaction would create airborne material.

In the i

event of sich an cccurrence the following prc~d"~s are to be followed:

[-

, 1.

Withdrak to 'a safe distance frc= the affected

~-

area and restrict the area as much as possibic.

2.

If possible, turn off air conditioning, hecds, f ans, close windows and lock decrs.

J.

i-

3. ~ Notify the Health Physics Divisien of ycur i

location and conditions.

Telephone 495-7780.

4.

If a radiation survey instrument is i==ediately

~

available =onitor self for personal contamination.

In any case, do not leave the i==ediate area until dete.. mined free of contamination.

4 0

'5.

'5t_. aarice the situatice as briefly as possible

~

to the health physicist upon his arrival.

The Health Physics Division-should be contacted imrediately in the event of a lost or misplaced source of radiation.

G.

Enviion= ental Monitorinc

~

1.

Routine Monitorinc A periodic monitoring prcgran v417 % conducted of all potentially hazardous radt.oactive areas by the Eealth Physics Division.

This will ir.clude =easure=ent of radiation levels, and sa=plings of effluents being discharged to the public sewer syste= and to the air.' The Health Physics Division will evaluate the situation,and recc = nd corrective action co==ensurate with the degree of. hazard.

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2.

Soecial Monitorina

,Special monitoring surveys will be made by tb-Health Physics Division when it is deemed advisable, such ac for the following:

a.

When radiological clearance of equipment or areas is desired.

b.

To determina contam'ination levels after decontamination operations.

c.

To determine radiation and contamination i

levels in connection with specific experiments or operations';

i d.

For issue of Special Work Permits.

e.

When new equipment or building alterations might change existing radiation dose contours.

Results of these surveys shall be recorded and permanent records made of all significant findings.

The Health Physics Division will evaluate the situation and recommend corrective action.

H.

Leak Testinc Procedures t

All sea, led sources will be leak tested at approxi..

mate intervals (i.e.,

six months for sealed byproduct materials sources; three months for sealed special nuclear (neutron) sources by the Health Physics Division.

l. ' Technicues Emsloved

~

t Eilter paper wetted with alcohol (or other suit-able solvent) or dry, will be rubbed over the source or the.

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appropriately accessible surf ace of the storage container.

Cotton tipped wooden applicator swabs, either wet or dry, will be rubbed over the source or the appropri-ately accessible shrf ace of the stor, age container.

The actual manipulation of the test media will be with suitable equip::.ent (tongs, etc.) and any necessar.y portable shielding as required to keep personnel exposure within the limits prescribad in Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations.

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2.

Countinc Methods Each wipe or specimea will be counted for alpha

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and beta-ganma in equipment of sufficient sensitivity to

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perform the test.

If any. leak test reveals the presence of removable

'I radioactivity in excess of 10% of the limit of.005 microcuries 3

(i.e.

5 x 10-4 xCi) the source shall be immediately withdrawn from use and will be decontaminatec0 or disposed of according to regulations.

The AEC will be notified within five days of

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any leakage in excess of.005 xci. s I.

Maximum Permissible Excosure Limits i

5-2 Title 10 CFR 20 sets' forth the maximum permissible levels of radiation that an individual may receive per calendar 8

quarter.

This section of the regulations also limits the 5

amount of cumulative radiation which an individual may re-ceive.

The amount of radiation per calendar quarter which an individual may receive is as follows:

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1 1.

Knole body, head and trunk, active blood-forming organs, lens of eyes, or gonads - 1 1/4 rems.

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2.

Hands and forearms, feet and ankles - 18 3/4 2 ems.

,3.

Skin of whole body - 7 1/2 rems.

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Generally, for practical purpos'es, we are mainly a

concerned with radiation exposure which an individual may

i receive frcm a #nole body exposure.

It should be noted that T'

a person may receive 15 times as mur:h radiation at the extremities of the. body due to the fact that there are no

.5 essential body o'rgans in these areas.

It should also be E

noted that the skin of the whole. body may receive six times.

as much radiation as the.whole body.

For our purposes at E

the Laboratory we shall base all our readings on whole body

'G exposura and therefore, limit our exposures to the absolute minimu n.

,E gi Individuals may receive 1250 mrem exposure to the whole body per calendar quarter.

If the individual has a reserve bank of. radiation he may receive up to 3000 mrem in a 5

calendar quarter as long as at no time does the individual S'

exceed the maximum permissible limit as determined by the equation (5 (N (age) -18) rems.

For example, if an individual

'3 is 19. years of age and has had no previous radiation history he or she would have a reserve bank of radiation.

In

=

this case the reserve bank d=Lermined by the equation would

+.4 25

f; 10 a

b 2

3,g,

.. ~

/

be as 'follows:

5 (19 -18) S rems.

It should be apparent from this equation that individuals 19 years of age and under have no reserve bank of radiation.

Also, Section 20.101 limit.s the exposure of minors (18 years of age and under) to 1/10 the amount of radiation which an adult may receive.

The basic reasons for limiting the eynosure of minors to radi.ation. a.re threefold.

1.

Youth is still in the formative stages of physical development and therefore radiation damage must be avoided.

2.

Radiation must be controlled at an early age in consideration of the maximum cumulative lifetime exposure.

limitations.

i 3.

The possibility of rac.iation mutation effects on the population as a whole must be controlled, particularly I

during the formative period.

J.

Medical Examinations The Medical Department shall maintain a record of radiation dosages received by all individuals working with radioacte materials (Record of Esposure to Ionining Radi-ation, RAVMID,143 2,.(ref (b) ).

The records will be re'ne.'ed at regular intervals by the Medical Officer to ensure that examinations and analyses are performed as indicated below.

1.

Radiolacical Health Examinations Special examinations are given by the Medical Officer to employees who may be exposed to radiation:

a.

Upon entering employment and on termination of employment.

b.

In field operations involving the use of-radioactive materials.

i:i_'.

c.

Employees invc.ved in radiation incidents, and in other situations deemed,ppropriate.

e me 9

+

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11 G

e m.

. m on m

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.m..

.w-.

e-

-v y-

Radiolacical Acciden g 2.

A radiological accident. is a spillage of radio-active material or any contaminatir.g event in which there is a possibility of assimilation of radioactive material into I

the body.

Each person, whether erployed by NOL or not, who is. involved in a radiological accident on NOL premises or at an NOL administered field operation shall submit to a radio-logical health examination.

3.

Routine Urinalyses 3

Routine urine samples,'as ordered b'y the Medical Officer, will be taken annually from personnel using radio-

. active raterials in their normal duties, and from personnel working in areas where such materials are used routinely.

Special sampling shall be done at frequent intervals for i

personnel using unsealed quantities of tritium or plutonium.

4.

Soecial Examinations The Medical' officer will perform special exam.

inations, as indicated below:

Any employee possibly exposed to radiation

[

a.

who. develops an acute, unexplained illness of more than three da.ys duri.cion.

1.

Any person who has received an acute radi-ation expesure (from any source) in excess of 25 rem, or a

~

3-chronic radiation exposure (from any source) of 75 rem if accumulated within a period of less than five years.

E; Where a' person is xpected to be exposed c.

I to significant neutron, or high energy electron radiation, a special eye examination shall.be conducted prior to assign-E ment of such duty, semiannually, and upon termination of

~

)=.

employment.

5.

Visitors in Work Status Medical examinations may be recuired for vis'itors subject to occupational exposure to radiation while within NOL jurisdiction.

Work status visitors may include military g

personnel from other installations, contractor personnel, students, or others.

Furthermore, any individual working four successive weeks or more in laboratory areas where exposure to ionizing radiation is possible shall undergo 5,

E radiological health examinations.

h 12 i

G.

5 c

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g.

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1-Monitorina Instruments K.

~

-[

Monitoring instruments are essential tools in the 5.

radiological safety prcgram.

It is necessary to maintain a variety of types of monitoring equipment in order to measure

.?

the different energies and levels of radiation involved.

The

'l Health Physics Division is responsible f or the calibration of all portable instrenents.

Thbre are a number of fixed instal-lation instruments in the laboratory (such as continuous air i

monitors, ltboratory-type counters, etc.) as well as a supply of portable instruments.

I' Authorined users of radioactive producing materials 1

. may obta.*.n-instruments from 'the Coordinator of RADIAC Iquip-ment, Code *916, NOL.

Representatives frca the Health Physics I

Division will aid and advise in the use of radiation instru-3 ments as required.

1.

Dosimetric Devices

==

Dosimetric devices include all types of instru-mentation used to measure the accumul=ted radiation dose received by the individual.

These devices are worn for stated E

intervals and then processed to determine accumulated.radi-ation dose received by the indivi? cal.

The doses are recorded ana cenptitute the individual's official dose record.

The

' =

amount of allowable exposure is based on dose records.

Two types of personnel dosimeters are used at NOL:

film badges

^

and pocket ionination chambers.

Film badges are provided E

to all radiation workers by the Health Physics Division.

Pocket chambers are also available through Health Physics for ure in high radiation areas.

5 1*

2..

Film Badces

\\

The badge employed at NOL is a stainless steel and' cadmium multifiltered film holder which contains a two-

,}~

film packet (110 mrem to 10 Rem and 1 Rem to 1,000 Rem).

A l

l, separate film, also inserted into the holder must be worh by i

all those personnel who work with neutron sources.

a.

3.

Pocket Ionization chambers Pocket chambers are used to supplement film badges in certain designated radiation areas, since they provide an m

o

~

z M

13

~

.)"

r g.

immediate indication of the accumulated dose received.

While the chamber is used for dose contrel during a specific part of an operation or experiment, the film badge reading is

'T accepted to be the actual amount of radiation received and will

'E.

be retained as a permanent record nf exposure.

Self-reading dosimeters must be worn by all personnel present in high radi-i ation areas (Zone 4).

L.

Personnel Monitorinq The NOL Dosimetry Program is conducted in accordance with regulations established by the Radiological Health Pro-

.tection Manual (NAVMED P-5055), re.~erence (b), and the AIC for m

,the protection of persons. exposed to ionizing radiation.

A

'i.

complete record of exposures' received at the Laboratory or -

elsewhere shall be maintained by tha Medical epartment for each person.

The completeness and validity of such a record is dependent upon the cooperation if each individual in wearing his badge properly during the work day and in reporting any unusual circumstances or doses received outside of his regular al employmc.it.

Paragraphs (1) through (7) inclusive outline the procedures to be followed by the individual whc may be ezposed to radiation at NOL.

i 1..

Radiation Received at NOL A11~ persons wi i work.with radioactive mo*_u.i-l or ra'Biating sources shall be monitored with one or more of the following types of dosimett f

a.. Film Badces The issue and allection of radiation dosimetry h

badges to individual users is t e responsibility,of the Health 5

Physics Divi'sion.

All signific. it exposures will be investi-gated, whe.ther or not the reco==s 7ded limits have been exceeded.

E

~

~

b.

Pocket Dosimeters i

Personnel working 1.

Zone 4 areas (Eigh R'adi-ation Area) and/or any other place thu = person could receive a whole body exposure of 100 mrfar are required to wear two occket dosimeters in addition to film badges.

Users must

~

}

check dosimeters frequently,'and if a significant reading E-is indicated, the film badge. will be processed immediately to substantiate the chamber reading.

=

5 p

?

14 i

J

..m--

e.

i

..=.

2.

Individual Resconsibility Sach individual who is involved with ionizing i

radistion shall wear his film beige on the chest or collar at all times while in the radiation area.

If a badge is inadvertently left in a radiation field, the individual shall notify;.the Health Physics Division of the circumstances related

.i to the exposure.

Film badges shoyld not be carried away from NOL.

Employees are specifically cautioned not to wear them i.

when receiving medical x-ray or radioisotope diagnostic exami-i ~;

nation and/or treatment.

t r

3.

3.

Visitors t

l i. !

All visitors to facilities utilizing radiation-

,'i sources, including contractors and their eatployees, must wear i

film badges.

Personnel should not wear film badges for more than one activity except by prior arrangement with the Health Physics Division.

l i

4.

Radiation Received Away from NOL occupational radiation doses received from outside the Laboratory shall also be included on each individual's record.

sach Division ~ Head shall notify Health Physics When work in mlving radiation is to be done at other activities.

If dostnetry. service is not available at the other activ.'ty, special film badges shall be furnished by Health Physics and processed locally after return.

5.

Internal centamination In cases of possible internal contamination, the Medical officer will initiate requests for Whole body counting, scanning and bioassays such as radiochemical urinalyses.

.He r

will also interpret results, recommend corrective action, and

. maintain personnel. exposure records.

The Health Physics Division will' investigate and aid in evaluation of the findings.

In all such cases the total urinary output over a 24-hour period or periods' designated shall be collected and an analysis.made for radioactivity.

6.

Personnel Contamination The Health Physics Division should be contacted immediately in the event of contamination in excess of the lowest levels specified in Appendix A, Part II of Principles 15 ax

c of Radiation and Conta ination Centrol (PCRACC).

A ce=p et.2 monitoring survey will be made to evaluate the extent of the contamination.

Health Physics will provide the.necessary assistance to effect 'c=plete decentamination.

The degree of c

decontamination achieved and the final results of the decanta=-

ination process will be recorded cc special =cnit0 ring reports.

For= NOL-5100/lO shall be cc=pleted by the supervisor responsi-ble for the operation involved.

s#

7.

Notification cf E crosure

)'

Irmediate notification of exposure in excess of

~

prescribed limits will be made to the individual and to hic '

i.

suce-visor bv the Health Physics Divisics.

,. ~"

M.

Personal Prctection 1.

Eating, s=cking, and drinkinrj are prohibited in specified areas where possible radiocctive contamination =a1 exist.

Nothing whatscever shall be put into the =cuth, such as pipettes and stems of wash bottles.

2.

All open cuts must be ccvered before work 3.ng. with 5_

radioactive materials.

3.

Gloves are required +.o be worn when handling ob_4ect= that =ay be contaminated.

4.

Protective clothing or equipment should not be i

worn or taken into any area -inere food is stored, prepared cr eaten.

I-5.

Food containers or eating kitensils shall not he

~

used for storing or ~ handling radioactive materials.

E 6.

A careful self-=cnitoring survey =ust be made g

by all personnel working with radioactive =aterials, before

.E departing to a radianion free, area.

a 7.

Protective clothing, as rec ~- ended by the Health Physics Division, shall be worn in all operations involving exposure to radioactive material.

Contaminated clothing shall be re=cved at point of departure frc a a contaminated area.

. _ _ _=

3

'N.

P -otective Clothing 5

Protective clothing is required to eff ectively control E

the possibility of personal contamination to the individual.

_t_.

16 C

i~s=

wm

a All contaminated items should be removed to prevent tha 'spt ad of contamination to clean creas.

The type of protective apparel to be worn vill depend upon the conditicas and ciretm-stances involved.

For some types of exposure the following items are reco= mended:

1.

Fine weave coveralls or laboratory coats for most-laboratory operations.

2.

Gloves (surgeon 5s' rubber, cotton, leather, or heavy rubbar, depending on the job) to prevent hand contam..

ination.

3.

Shoe covering (plastic booties, rubber boots, cr.

rubber overshoes as' required) Where potential floor er ground contaminasion exists.

[

4.

Respiratory protection (such as Army Assault Mask M-17 or Navy Mark V Mask) where there is danger of air-borne contamination.

5.

Hoods (made of plastic or fine weave canvas) under appropriate conditions.

Protective clothing rec 'irements for all operations in Zones 3 or 4 areas must be specified by the supervisor.

The Health Physics Division will advise on such matters.

O.

Pivt' onium Safety Recuirements There are three main hazards involved in the use of plutonium:

criticality, pyrophoricity, and high toxicity.

1.

Criticality driticalitv is the condition when fissionable material (i.e., 235, 233g, 239Pu, etc.) is capable of sus

U taining a chain reaction.

~

2.

Pyrochoricity 1

Plutonium metal, hydrides and metallic alloys aspecially in a finely divided state, are capable of spon-taneous ignition.

This property of plutonium requires the installation of an automatic fire smothering system.

3.

Toxicitv Plutonium is one of the most dangerously toxic radioactive elements known today.

The long effective half-life 17 e

i

5 i

i and its alpha emissions'have been know. to produce neoplastic growth in the bone tissue of lowet-2ni- :is.

In man, the

' i, reco== ended permissible bcdy burden fer the bone is 0.04 pc, i

which is 2.5 times more restrictive than rcdium.

The easiest method of entry into the human body

..-j-is via contaminated air.

Proper design of experimental

~

apparatus end gcod housekeeping are the first steps toward cerosol control.

Af ter a project h'as been initiated, air and surface monitoring should be p.rformed regularly.

All solutions of plutonium must be covered when not.in use.

I.

Another. method of entr9 is via contaminated wcunds i'

or breaks -in the skin.

Once the material is present in the subcutaneous' tissue, plutonium will slowly but continucualv

~

be released into the blood streem, liver, a".d bene.

Therefore,

- all open wo".nds should be covered Lefcre starting work.

Anv contact with plutonium should be fellowed by alpha monitorib.g and decontamination, as necessary.

I Operations involving plutonium solutions should.

be performed in a glove box (unless specifically exempted in i

an SOP approved by the Health Physics Division).

Insofar as i

possible the glove box should be a ccepletely closed system.

It is imperative that no leakage of plutonium from the glove box be tal.erated since an escape into the laboratory may contaminate the entire'cuilding and the building ventilat*on system.

In the event of such contaainatien the building must

~

be evacuated and will remain unoccupied until satisfactory

.j decontamination can be completed.

4.

Plutonium Storace and Fire Protection

.r i

All quantities of plutoniu=, in excess of one microcurie, shall be stored in ECT approved shipping containers.

Unsealed quantities of metallic plutonium, hydrides and alloys,

!{

shall be stored and used only in areas which are provided with automatically activated fire smothering systems.

Large quantities (i.e., in excess of 100 millicuries) shall be used or stored only in areas which are further protected with automatic sprinklers.

. Automatic fire smothering systems and sprin5tler i

systems should be of the fully supervised type connected to the central fire station.

i P.

Postinct and Labelinct

. All locations in which radioactive materials are used and stored must be posted with a standard radiation caution J

.8 8D

.s.

i sign.

The sign must contain the conventional three-bladed radiation symbol in magenta (cr purple) on a yellow background with the wording, " Caution - Radiation Area."

Radiation areas in which ea individual can receive 100 mrem /hr will be posted with a lik-: sign stating " Caution - High Radiation Area."

"High Radiation Areas are provided with ' audible and/or visible a

,i alarms which are energiced during source exposure.

Storage locations rust be labeled or ppsted with a sign stating

" Caution - Radioactive Materials" in magenta on yellow with

,I the conventional radiation symbol.

Laboratory beakers and flasks containing stock '

solutions of radioactive materials must be labeled with the y

standard caution sign as above and additional labeling to denote the kind, quantity, and date of measurement of the J

material contained.'

fY Form AEC-3, " Notice to Employees" shall be conspic-uously posted in each area where radioactive materials are in Li use/or storage.

These forms designate the radiation safety i

responsibilities of both the employee and the employer and are available through the Health Physics Division.

\\

?

Q.

Procurement Control Procedures to be followed in procuring radioactive-sources and devices containlay edioactive material are as follows:

i 1.

The user organization should prepare the Stub Requisition (Requisition / Turn-In Document, NDW-NOL 4235/2),

5 and any special instructions or correspondence that are i

necessary and appropriate.

All stubs will specify delivery

}

via Health Physics Division, Bldg. T-9.

Requests.will also be routed to the Health Physics Divisicn through normal channels.

5 2.

The H&alth Physics Division will-a.

Review the request to determine conformity 5,

with' safety and licensing requirements.

b.

Record data necessary to maintain a central record of all radicactive materials at the Laboratory.

{

c.

' Forward the request for processing through 5

regular supply channels.

The Health Physics Division should be notified i

immediately upon receipt of a radioactive shipment'..

The i

19 4

i

/

5' _

Materials Division of the Supply Department receives shipments l:

of radioactive materials and delivers them unopened to the

' l-Health Physics Division, Bldg. T-9.

Shipments of radioactive material received by the Mail, Correspondence & Files Division i

shall also be delivered unopened to the Health Physics 5

Division, Bldg.

T-9.,

d.

On receipt of'the radioactive material, a jj Health Physics representative will survey the shipping con i 0.

tainer to determine that both the external radiation reading and smearable contamination are within acceptable radiation :

lim ts.

Acceptable limits are less than 200 beta-gamma disin-i

s

' j' *

. tegrations per minute and less than 20 alpha disintegrations per minuti.

aterials receiving special irradiation wili E

e.

5 be handled directly by Health Physics Division personnel.

'm f.

All outgoing shipments of radioactive materials

~

5 from the Laboratory must be made under the supervision of Health Physics.

Shipments will be performed in compliance 4

with the Post Office, Department of Transportation Regulations

,=

(ref (e) ), and AEC Rules and Regulations (ref (a) ). '

't R.

. Radiation Survev" Procedure 1

'Ihe Health Physics Division routinely surveys all areas within the Laboratory in which radioactive materials 5

are used and stored.

The frequency of these surveys will

'5 range from one week to one month dependent upon the amount of use made of the materials, radiation levels involved, and previous laboratory radiation findings.

Special radiation M

surveys will be performed by I!aalth Physics personnel at the

! ~

request of the user.

The Health Physics Division will make a reasonable effort to contact the responsible user of the' E

radioactivs material prior to the conduct of the radiation survey so that the responsible user will have knowledge of 2

the survey and also to assure that the laboratory or room is not scheduled for use at that time.

The Health Physics 4

Division, however, must of necressity, survey any room or 5

1aboratory where radioactive nterials are used or stored at. any time deemed necessary.t.n the interest of radiation

.=

5 safety.

Radiation surveys consist of radiation instrument 4 _

readings to determine background levels of radiation and 3

3' filter-disc swipes as a check on possible laboratory contam-ination.

In addition, air samples are taken in certain i

designed areas within and on the perimeters of NOL to determine 3

any deviation from normal natural occurring radiat' ion count.

Air. samples are also taken in laboratories or rooms which have been determined contaminated during a routine radiation survey.

g.

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20 E

9

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4

+

gg%+.gw a~g-y

,-y-.p--g g.i.-%,,,--.y y--*9ay7 9 -

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Filter discs are used to tvipe work surf aces such^as r

work benches, sinks, hoods, and fl ors of laboratories as a cart of the radiation survey process.

These filters are then counted for alphs, beta, and gamma radiation content in the Health i

Physics Laboratory and the results recorded.

If contamination 2

is detected as a result of the surtey, the supervisor in charge of the laboratory is i==ediately contacted and arrange-ments are made for removal of the contaminacion.

The cleaned i

area is then resurveyed by He31th Physics to determine that the radiation contaminction levels 'are within acceptable limits.*

[

S.

Relative Decrees of Radiatibn Hazards If radiation safeguards cre not followed, an individual 3

i-may receive a significant exposure frca either external or

~

internal rcdiation.

Radiation that is external can he reacily measured and evaluated.

The exposute dose may be reduced to

~

~

i acceptable ** values by reducing the time of exposure, intro-s ducing appropriate shielding, and/6r increasing the distance frca the source.

}

The internal radiation hazard is much more subtle and, unfortunately, much more probable in terms of general use of liquid radionuclides.

When radionuclides become fixed in the I

body they are difficult to measure and little can be done to improve the ha ard situation.

uood Housekeeping" practicas are required to pre $ent spillage and ultimate spread of radioactive contamination it, laboratories.

Areas in which contamination is known to exist should be roped off irmediately.

=

~.

The following table represents the relative degree of hazard per given quantity of certain radionuclides.

1;

' Acceptable Limits:

Less than 10 alpha counts per minute;

~

less than 50 bata-ge==a counts per minute.

1250 maem per quarter a5d/or 5,000 mrem per year.

(See also Sec. I, page 10. )

21 e

e eme

HAZARD FROM ABSORPTION INTO.THE BODY l

Group Activity Scale !

1.

SLIGHT HAZARD-1pc touelocac 1m lome loome 1 curie jg Na24, g4z Cu", Mn52 g( HIGH LEVEL dgxx Low CEvEk s

,, :.g,y' As77, Kr

• Hg !97

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.NNNNNN

,As 76 85 i

i g

a l

I I

I I

i g

fl 1

I I

2.

MODERATELY DANGEROUS g

3 14 3'

zz 3s g

g g

H,. C, P *, Na 3

(

• Fe59, Co I

I

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C1 ', Mn54 6U 13 l

• Rul3 Ru! '

I I

I I

i I

Srs9, Cb95.

f l37 XXXX NN \\ \\\\\\

\\*

• Cs Te127, Tel29, 1131 i,gra.

LOW LEVEL HIGH LEVEL

/

" ECg,'.:.

NAA.

n

\\\\\\\\\\\\

• Ba

• La ",Ce l

I41 l

I I48 l

l I

l i

i g

i i

Pr143.

• N d147, *Aut9s l

l l

g 1

I z1:

I l

• Au199, Hg

, Hg I

I 25 I

I I

1 I

I I

I g

I 3.

VERY DANGEROUS g

g i

g l

l l

C*45 Fe

• 3 93' 7 91 I

i f

I I

ss

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(jw in7sa.

\\\\\\\\\\\\

• Zr9s Ce!44,Pn

<bE22' " EU#

\\ N' \\kN 347 i

N Bi210, Pu23 9, *Ra22' (in equi-1 e lo e ico e 1me 1omeicome 1 curie librium)

Principal gamma emitters Activity to be handled in Laboratory 1

NOTES:

1.

Effective radiotoxicity is obtained from consideration of the following factors: half-life, energy and character c' radiations, selective localization in the body, rates of elimination, quantities involved, and modes of handling in typical experiments.

2.

The slant boundaries between levels indicate borderline zones and emphasize that there is no sharp transition be-tween the levels and the protection techniques required.

3.

The above harard grodpings cannot be taken as applying to external irradiation.

22

~-

• =#,

T.

Remote Handlinc Eculement Work with radioactive material requires remote handling equipment for proper control and confinement of loose activity.

It is the responsibility of the Departmental users to obtain such facilities as needed for these operations which may include the following-1.

Glove boxes.

2.

Enclosed work spaces or restricted rooms.

3.

Shielded areas constructed of lead bricks, concrete pit's,. etc.

4.. Tongs, and shielded mtnipulators for use with high levels of activity.

Health Physics will advisa on the procurement and use of the above items as necessary.

U.

Soecial Warnina Requirements 1.

Radiatine Machines All x-ray units are nquipped with audible and/or visible, alarms which are automatically activated wh n 'Fe machines are turned on.

Additional. door interlocks are provided et high energy fixed x-ray installations which cause the units to shut down in the event the doors are opened during exposures.

Operators are required to be in continuous attendance when portable x-ray machines are in use.

The area is also required to be posted with radiation caution signs and barricaded at the 2 mr/hr level of radiation.

2.

Sealed Sources Facilities utilizing sealed radioactive sources for radiographic and calibration purposes must be equipped with nermanent shielding barricades of sufficient thickn'ess to re' duce radiation levels outside the barricades to accept-able limits (5 mrfnr - radiation area or 2 mr/hr unrestricted area).

Standard radiation warning signs are required to be posted and flashing light systems will operate when the source is exposed.

3.

Contaminated Areas and Eguipment All contaminated equipment, inclu' ding vehicles, will be tagged with radioactive material tags that clearly 23 e

s

. =.

. ~

a-

i u.

indicate +.he extent and location of the contamination.

This equipment'will not be put to use until cleared by the Health Physics Division.

V.

Storinc and Handlinc Radioactive Materials f~

Radioactive materials will be stored in a shielded area such as a lead brick cavp, or shipping container.

The storage crea and container are required to be labeled.vith radiaticn warning signs.

(See Part 0, para. 4, Plutonium Storage and Fire Protection, page 18.)

An operation using radioactive colutions shall be I

' conducted over a tray or basin of sufficient capacity to hold all the solution if spilled.

t.

i 531utions shall be kept in containers strong enough to withstand breakage and leakage.

For high activity levels, tie conte:Lner shall have a secondary container or catchment under or around it.-

caution should be exercised in handling highly radioactive liquids in the laboratory.

Work areas (bench tops, hoods, etc.) must be coverer with absorbent waterial.

Liquid samples carried betwee.

coms must either be enclosed within non-breakable containers or surrounded by sN secondary non-breakabls containers.

There should be sufficient absorben' material to take up the entire sample if. spilled.

' Sa$ples 'shall not be carried to the counting room with bare hands.

They should,be carried in trays or the like to eliminate the possibility of spillage.

Glassware known to be contaminated will be rinsed in the laboratory where it is used.

A five gallon polyethylene liquid waste container provided by the' Health Physics Division, will be us'ed for the collection of the first rinse from contaminated glassware.-

No radioactive material shall be removed from any building without the specific approval of Health Physics,.

No contaminated materials "shall be taken into machine shops or other service areas, unless these areas have been specifically approved for work with contaminated materials.

Movements of radioactive materials external to NOL (e.g., over the state highways) 'must c.omply with the DOT

~

regulations..The Health Physics Division is responsible for assuring compliance with these regulations.

G

- 24

. a

./

W.

Transfer of Material Transfers of radioactive materials must be approved by the Radiation Safety Officer and/or the Radiation Safety Co=mittee, dependent upon the level of radiation of the material and safeguards employed.

It is understcod that several laboratories may be involved in the routine use of radioactive materials under a given responsible user.

How-ever; there are situations in'.hich a quantity of radioactive material may be useful on a special project by another indi-vidual.

This transfer may be completed under the followingi conditions:-

1.

The transferee must be duly authorired by the i

"Radiatioc Safety Cc mittee to receive the radioactive material.

i

~

~

?

2.

The transferee must have available f acilities j-and equipment necessary to safeguard the use of the radio-active material..

3.

Records will be maintained to reflect locations 2

and users of radioactive sources at all times.

?

X.

Tritium Safecuerds

=

~

l.

Precautions Special precautiens need to be taken when verhing with tritium compounds, or tritium-centaminated materials in quantities in ey. cess of "one millicurie.

These include the E

wearing of rubber gloves and the use of glove boxes or hoods.

?

Rubber gloves should be changed frequently and destroyed, since tritiated water vapor has the ability to pass through rubber F

within a few hours.

All equipment which has cc=e into contact

' with tritium > either gas or T 0 vapor, will retain scme tritium 2

3 and should be considered conta=ihated.- Stopcock grease, vacuum pump oil, and plastics are readily contaminated.

Materials such as glass or stainless steel also retain small 5

quantities of tritium.

At ordinary roca temperatures, tritium will diffuse through glass or stainless steel or frcm tritiated

...5 accelerator' targets.

There are some tritium losses caused by the heat created during accelerator operation.

There is also T.

an ey. change mechanism involved when the tritium is in contact E

with at=ospheric hydrogen.

Accelerator targets must always 5

~

be handled with forceps and rubber gloves since several curies

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of tritium per square centimeter may be absorbed on the surface of the tr.4at.

Deuterium targets should also be handled with e-

' y forceps w--4 gloves, since tritium contamination of sevaral microcuries may also be present.

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.2 Tritium contaminatior. ;s often associated with vacuum pumps.

Accordingly, specia~ precautions must be observed when disassembling or repeiring a pump that has been used on a system containing tritium.

Health Physics 4

should be notified in advance of this operation.

Oil and mercury associated with the pumps should be assayed by Health Physics and if necessary, disposed of as contaminated materials.

2.

Monitorine All personnel working rith tritium shall period-ically submit urine samples for body uptake evaluation.

The Health Physics Division will provide advice on the frequency of monitoring.

All areas in-which tritium is used in quanti-r ties in exesss of one mill! curie, especially in vacuum pumps for systems containing tritium, sh:: tid be monitored by Health

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Physics personnel f or absorbed sur.. ace tritium.

Air monitor-ing instrumants, capable of detecting tritium, are available and should be used when there is the possibility of release

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of tritium to the atimosphere.

Y.

Work Perfo=ed After Recular Workinc Hours The Health Physics Division is to be notified o.f any work involring the use of high leve 4..dioactive materials.

after re; lar working hours.

In Zc.ne 4* areas, at 1 ce two people will.be present at all times (NCLINSTP, P5100.5A, pt.ra.

20, (ref (f) ).

The Health Physics Division will be infor: red of any proposed work in radiation areas or in locations where radio-active contamination may be present.

A representative of the Health Physics Division will evaluate the existing hazard and if approved, will forward the work request with his reco:mnen-dations to the Maintenance Contr61 Division.

Protective clothing or tools, if required'will se provided by the maintenance supervisor.

Maintenance personnel will then follow instructions set forth in the Special Work Permit.

A representative of the Health Physics Division will monitor and es.tablish working times for the operation.

Any operation which might result in the liberation of radioactivity into the air (aerosols, gases or vapors) must be performed in a fume hood.

If the airborne concentration is likely to be above the recognized RCG, special precautions must be taken to assure personnel safety.

See page 27 for zone' definitions.

3 26

.,/.

Requ,,irements f or respiratory protection in relation to the level of concentration of activity or airborne con-taminatione are contained in Section.C of this manual.

I Z.

Zone Precautionary Measures 1.

Zone Desianations i

Laboratory areas are. divided into four zones, as follows:

Zone 1 - Radiation-Free Areas a.

~

Radioactive materi71 not permitted.

Examples:

cafeteria, auditorium, of fices, passenger elevators, etc.

No dosimetry Iequired.

L b.

Zone 2 - Possible Contamination Areas Examples freight Background control required.

elevators, radiation cennting rooms, film storage and develop-ing areas, laboratories for radiochemical urinalyses and tracer studies.

Contamination control procedures are required and must be formally document'd.

e Zone 3 - Radi=* inn Area c,.

I Work areas where radioactive material nay be handled routinely and radiation producing devices are used.

d.~ Zone 4 - High Radiation' Area I

Examples:

work areas in which the radiation level is such that a major portion of the body cohld receive l'.

greater than 100 mrem /hr; work areas' ih which an aerosol greater thar 10 times the RCG is generated.

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t GLOSSANY j-Absorbed Dose:

The energy Unparted to matter by ionizing i,

radiation per unit mass of irradiaced material at the place of interest.

The unit of absorbed dose is the rad.

One rad i

equals 100 ergs per gram.

i Accelerator:

A device for imp'arting very high velocity to charged particles such as e,lectrora or protons.

These fast j

narticles can penetrate matter and a're known as radiation. '

Alpha Particle:

A small electrically charged particle of r

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yery high velocity thrown off, by mar.y radioactive materials including uranium and radium.

It is identical with the nucleus of a helium atom and is.made up of two neutrons and

. j tneo protons.

Its electric charge is positive and twice as great as that of an electron.

Attenuation:

The process by which a beam of radiation is i

reduced in intensity When passing through some material.

It is the combination of absorption and scattering processes and leads to a decrease in flux density of the beam when pro-l-

jected through matter.

Beta Particle:

A small electrical 3 v charged particle tilrown off by m..y radioactive materials.

It is ~ identical w ' U. ;he o

electron 'and possesses the smallest electrical charge for.no in nature.

Body Burden:

That amount of radionuclides distributed throngh-out the body that_ will result in a maximum permissible RBE

i, dose rate to the critical organ.

Tha critical organ is con-sidered to be that organ of the body where the greatest amount of damage ~is done.

Contamination, Radioactive:

Deposition of radioactive material li in any place where it is not desired, particularly where its presence may be harmful.

The harm may be in vitiating an.

experiment or a procedure, or in actually being a source of danger to personnel.

I Counter:

A device for counting nuclear disintegration to measure radioactivity.

The signal which announces a disinte-gration is called a count.

Curie:

A' measure of the rate at which a radioactive material throws off particles.

The radioactivity of one gram of radium is a curie.

One curie corresponds to 37 billion disintegrations per second.

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i Decav:

Whan a r.adioactive atom disa ntegrates it is said to decay.

An atom of polonium decayr o form lead, ejecting an alpha particle in the process.

a Dosimeter:

An instrument used to detect and measure an accumulated dosage of radiation; a pencil-size ionization I

chamber with built-in self-reading electrometer used for i.

personnel monitoring.

J is Film Badce:

A piece of masked photographic film worn like i

a badge by nuclear workers.

It is darkened by nuclear radi-ation, and radiation exposure can be-checked by inspecting the film.

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Gamma Ravs:

The most penetrating of all radiations.

Gamma

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rays are very high energy x-rays.

.r Health Physics:

Health Physics is a profession devoted tc the protection of man and his environment from unwarranted l'

radiation exposure.

E Laser:

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radi -

y ation.

The laser region is that portion of the spectrum

.i Which includes ultra-violet, v.isible light, and infrared.

Leah. Test:

A test performed to determine radiation source leakagt=.,

Monitorinc:

Pericdic or continuous determination of the

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amount of ionizing radiation or radioactive contamination present in an area.

Neutron:

One of the three basic atomic particles.

The neutron weighs about the same as the proton but has no

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electric charge.

Maximum Permissible Dose:- That dose of ionizing radiation established by competent authorities as an amount below Which there is no reasonable expectation of risk to human health, and Which at the same time is somewhat below the lowest level at Which a definite hazard is believed to exist.

An obso-lescent tecn.

Radiation:

le emission and propagation of energy 'through space or through a material medium in the form of waves; for instance, the emission and propagation of electromagnetic waves, or of sound and elastic waves.

Such radiation

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commonly is classified, according to frequency,such as infra-red, visible (light), ultra-violet, x-ray, and gam.ya ray; 29

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and by type of corpuscular emissions, such as alpha or beia radiation.

Radioactive Isotoce, 6r Nuclide:

A radioactive form of an element having identical chemical properties but different atomic mass.

Radioactivitv:

The spontaneous decay or disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus usually, accompanied by the emission of ionizing radiation.

Radiocrachv:

The making of shadow images on photographic

. emu s on by the action of ionizing radiation.

The image is i li the result of the differential attenuation of the radiation in its possage through the object being radiographed.

Relative Biolacical Effectiveness (RBE) :

The R33 is a factor used to compare the biological effectiveness of absorbed radiation-doses (i.e., rads) due to different types of ion-izing radiation, more specifically, it is the experimentally determined ratio of an absorbed dose of a radiation in 1

question to the absorbed dose of a reference radiation required to produce an identical biological effect in'a'

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particular organism or tissue.

REM:

(Acronym for roentgen equivalent man.)

The unit of dose of 'any ionizing radiation ubi dh produces the same bio-logical effect as a unit of absorbed dose of ordinary X-rays.

The RBE dose (in rems) = RBE X absorbed dose (in rads).

Roentcen (r) :

An exposure dose of X or gamma radiation such that the associated corpuscular emission per 0.001293 g of air produces in air ions carrying one electrostatic unit of electricity of either sign.

Sealed Sourca:

Any byproduct or special nuclear material that -is encased in a capsule designed to prevent leakage or l

escape of the byproduct or special nuclear material.

Survev, Radiolocical:

Evaluation of the radiation hazards l

incident to the production, use, or: existence of radioactive materials or other sources of radiation under specific conditions.

Such evaluation customarily includes a physical survey of the disposition of materials and equipment, measure-ments or estimates of the levels of radiation that may be involved, and sufficient knowledge of processes using or affecting these materials to predict hazards resulting from expected or possible changes in materials or equipment.

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X-Rav:

Hiejhly penetrating radiation similar to gamma rays.

Unlike ga=ca rays, X-rays do not come from the nucleus of the atom but from the surrounding electrons.

They are produced by electren bombardment.

tTnen these rays pass through an object they give a shadow picture of the denser portions.

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