Regulatory Guide 6.1
| ML13350A237 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/28/1974 |
| From: | US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| RG-6.001 | |
| Download: ML13350A237 (2) | |
February 1974 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
REGULATORY
DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS
GUIDE
REGULATORY GUIDE 6.1 LEAK TESTING RADIOACTIVE BRACHYTHERAPY SOURCES
A. INTRODUCTION
standard specifies that the sealed radioactive brachytherapy source should be withdrawn frotm use it
-Possession and use of brachytherapy sources is an ( 1) source leakage exceeds the baseline values established activity iequirirng a license pursuant to section 30.3, by repetitive tests indicating degradation tt sotltrce
"Activities Requiring License," of 10 CFR Part 30. integrity (Baseline Criterion) Or (2) leakage of
-Rules of General Applicability to 'Licensing of radioactive material equals ur exceeds 5 nanocuries of Byproduct Material." Paragraph (e) of section 30.34 in radioactive material or, in the case of radium sources. I
10 CFR Part 30 provides that the Atomic Energy nant;:urie of radon in 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> (Leakage Limit). The Commission may incorporate in any license such standard also establishes criteria and procedutres for additional requirements and conditions as it dcems retests. test procedures. source disposition. frequency ofl appropriate or necessary in order to protect health or to leakage testing, records, and personnel qualifications.
minimize danger to life or property. The Appendix (which is not a part of" the sl:rrrdard)
describes leakage test met hods wvhich have been I'ulmid ti A standard condition, included in all AEC licenses be acceptable for determining the radioactive leak-age of for possession and use of' sealed brachytherapy sources sealed brach. therapy sources.
requires that these sources be periodically leak tested, that the test be capable of detecting the presence of
0.005 microcurie of radioactivic material on the test
C. REGULATORY POSITION
sample taken front the source, and that the source be immediately withdrawn from use if the test reveals the The requirements. criteria, and recommended presence of 0.005 microcurie or more. practices contained in ANSI N44.2-1973. "Leak Testing Radioactive Brachytherapy Sources"' con.titute a This guide describes methods and procedures generally acceptable piocedure for complying with trhe acceptable tot the Regulatory staff for leak testing licensing conditions applicable to the leak testing of radioactive brachytherapy sources. radioactive brachytherapy sources, subject to thie following:
B. DISCUSSION
1. In order to be approved for use. brachyltlerapy Subcommittee N44-2. Therapeutic Radiology, of sources should meet certain integrity requirenentls and the American National Standards Institute Committee pass certain tests in addition to the leak test described in on Equipment and Materials for Medical Radiation this guide. Manufacturers of medical brachyther:apy Applications. N44, has developed a standard presenting sources should refer to Regulatory Guide 6.2, "Inlegrity uniform criteria and test procedures for the evaluation and Test Specifications for Selected Brachythertapy oI radioactive material leakage from sealed Sources."
brachytherapy sources. This standard was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on 2. Section 7.1 of ANSI N44.2-1973 states that the July IS, 10373. and dlesignated ANSI N44.2-1973. i The minimum training and experience requirement tio :11l individual perftorming tire leak tests should le eligibility for relevant certification by tire American Board of,
('upies may be obtained from the American National Radiology or tire American Board of' Ilealth Physics or Sr; inda Wrt Ih 30t ro:,dwa y. New York. New York it tite, I n'., 14.11 IW(118.
equivalent. The leak tests carl be pertor tried 11\
Copies ot published guiArý may be obtained by request indicating the divisions USAEC REGULATORY GUIDES desired to the US. Atomic Energy Commission. Washington. D.C. 20545.
Attention: Oirc..tor of Regulatory Standnrds. Comments and suggestion% for Regulatory Guides ate Issued to describe and make available to the public Irrmtovements in thes guides are encouraged and should be sent to the Secretary methods acceptable 1o the' AEC Regulatory stff of implementing specific parts of of the Commission. US. Atomic Energy Commission. Washington,. D.C. 20545.
the Commission*s regulations. to delineate techniqtuet used by the staff in Attention: Chief. Public Proceedings Staff.
to evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents, or to provide guidance and c¢,mpliance applicants. ReguTatory Guides are not subsritutles fo*r regulations in The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions:
from those sat out with them is not required. Methods and solutions different the findings requisite to the guides will be ecceptsble if they provide a besis for 1. Power Reactors 6. Products Comntission,.
the issuance or continuance of a permit of lice.ns by the 2. Research and Test Reactors
7. Transportation
3. Fuels and Materials Facilities
8. Occupational Health
4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust Review appropritte. to accommodate Published guides will be revised periodically. as S. Materials and Plant Protection 10. General commentsi and to reflect new information or ewperience.
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