Regulatory Guide 7.2

Packaging and Transportation of Radioactively Contaminated Biological Materials

ML12220A070
Person / Time
Issue date:	06/30/1974
From:	Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
To:
References
RG-7.002
Download: ML12220A070 (1)

June 1974U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION~1REGULATORY GUICDIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDSREGULATORY GUIDE 7.2PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATEDBIOLOGICAL MATERIALS)E

A. INTRODUCTION

The Commission's regulation, 10 CFR Part 71,"Packaging of Radioactive Material for Transport andTransportation of Radioactive Material Under CertainConditions," applies to licensees of the Commission whotransport licensed material or who deliver licensedmaterial to a carrier for transport. In their transport ordelivery of packages containing no more than Type Aquantities of radioactive material, licensees may berequired by a provision of §71.5 10 CFR Part 71, toconform to certain standards and requirements of theDepartment of Transportation (DOT). This regulatoryguide describes a method acceptable to the Regulatorystaff for licensees of the Commission to comply withthat provision in § 71.5 with respect to packaging,shipping, and transporting of radioactively contaminatedbiological materials.

B. DISCUSSION

Radioactively contaminated biological materials pre-sent unique problemsbecause of (1) potential radiationdose to individuals, (2) potential hazard from thechemical preservative used, (3) potential exposure topathogenic microorganisms, (4) generation of decompo-sition gases that might cause the shipping containers torupture and possibly explode, and (5) noxious odors.American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Sub-committee N14.3 has developed a standard that providesguidance for the packaging, shipping, and transport ofradioactively contaminated biological materials. Thisstandard, designated ANSI N14.3-1973,1 "Packagingand Transportation of Radioactively Contaminated Bio-logical Materials," was processed and approved by theAmerican National Standards Institute. Inc., on August24, 1973. The standard includes recommendations forpackaging and limits on radioactive contents for anysingle package of this type of material, for the markingand labeling of packages, and for limitations on storageof the packaged material before, during, and aftertransport.

C. REGULATORY POSITION

The recommendations contained in ANSIN14.3-19731 are generally acceptable for the packaging.shipment, and transport of radioactively contaminatedbiological materials, subject to the following:Section 7.1 "Visual Survey of Outer Container," ofANSI N14.3-1973 recommends that a package besurveyed on receipt only if damage is apparent. The userof this, guide is directed to the requirements of paragraph20.205(b) of 10 CFR Part 20, "Standaids for ProtectionAgainst Radiation," which requires that certain pack-ages, and in particular those containing radioactivematerial in liquid form (with some exceptions), bemonitored on receipt for evidence of leakage even in theabsence of apparent damage.'Copies may be obtained from the American National StandardsInstitute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10018.USAEC REGULATORY GUIDES Copies of published guides may be obtained by request indicating the divisionsdesired to the US. Atomic Energy Commission. Washington, D.C. 20545.Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make available to the public Attention: Director of Regulatory Standards. Comments and suggestions formethods acceptable to the AEC Regulatory staff of implementing specific parts of improvements in these guides are encouraged and should be sent to the Secretarythe Commission's regulations, to delineate techniques iied by the staff in of the Commission, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C. 20545.evalualing specific problems or postulated accidents. or to provide guidance to Attention: Chief, Public Proceedings Staff.applicants. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations and compliancewith them is not required. Methods and solutions different from those set out in The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions:the guides will be acceptable if they provide a basis for the findings requisite tothe issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission. 1. Power Reactors 6. Products2. Research and Test Reactors 7. Transportation3. Fuels and Materials Facilities 8. Occupational HealthPublilhed guides will be revised periodically, as appropriate, to accommodate 4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust Reviewcomments and to reflect new information or experience. 5. Materials and Plant Protection 1