Part 310: Acquisition of Radioactive Materials

• 310.10 Introduction
• 310.20 Ordering Radioactive Materials
• 310.30 Receipt of Radioactive Materials
• 310.40 Neutron Activation
• 310.50 Facilities Located Outside of Moscow
• 310.60 Transfer of Radioactive Materials
• 310.70 Surplus or Donated Radioactive Materials
• 310.80 Uranium- and Thorium-Containing Materials
• 310.90 Exempt Radioactive Materials

310.10 Introduction

Radioactive materials may be obtained by several methods. The major source of radioactive materials is the purchase of radioisotopes and sealed sources from commercial vendors. Other sources include, but are not limited to, surplus or donated radioactive materials, neutron activation material, the transfer of materials from one user to another, and the transfer of material from another institution or organization to the University of Idaho.

Regardless of the method used to acquire radioactive material, users must have authorization from the Radiation Safety Committee or written permission from the radiation safety officer before they can obtain radioactive material.

310.20 Ordering Radioactive Materials

Personnel who have received authorization from the Radiation Safety Committee to use radioactive material can order materials by complying with the following steps:

1. Complete a requisition describing the radioactive material(s) to be ordered. Type "RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS" on the first line in the Description section of the requisition form. Departmental Purchase Orders (DPOs) may not be used to order radioactive material.
2. Complete the Permit to Purchase Radioactive Materials Form RSM-2M and attach to the requisition.
3. Obtain the signature of the radiation safety officer or designee.
4. Follow the normal procedures for processing a requisition.
5. It shall be the responsibility of Purchasing Services to ensure all requisitions are accompanied by a completed Permit to Purchase Radioactive Materials Form RSM-2M before issuing a purchase order.
   
   The purchase order must be addressed as follows:
   
   Name of Authorized User
   c/o Radiation Safety Officer
   Environmental Health and Safety
   University of Idaho
   1108 West Sixth Street
   Moscow, ID 83844-2030
6. For those departments processing requisitions electronically, complete the Permit to Purchase Radioactive Materials Form RSM-2M, obtain the radiation safety officer or designee's signature, and forward the form to Purchasing Services. Purchasing Services will match the requisition with the Permit to Purchase Radioactive Materials form.
7. Before processing an order for radioactive materials, a vendor must have in possession a valid copy of the university's radioactive materials license. Please contact the radiation safety officer or designee to verify if a vendor has a current copy of the university's radioactive materials license on file or requires a copy.

310.30 Receipt of Radioactive Materials:

1. All shipments of radioactive materials to the University of Idaho shall be received by the radiation safety officer, unless other arrangements have been approved by the radiation safety officer. The radiation safety officer or designee will inspect the package, and record its receipt.
2. The radiation safety officer or designee will deliver the package to the authorized group. It shall be the duty of the radiation safety officer or designee to ensure that all shipments of radioactive materials received be processed and made available to the user within the same day of their delivery.
3. Deliveries of radioactive materials to the authorized user, except sealed sources, shall be accompanied by a "Checklist for Receipt of Radioactive Materials" form. This form describes procedures to be followed by the user when checking in and surveying the package and must be completed within the time limit specified on the form. The form must be returned to the radiation safety officer within three working days.
4. Any leakage of radioactive materials from the package, any severe contamination found within the package, or any other unusual event shall be reported immediately to the radiation safety officer or designee.

310.40 Neutron Activation

Users must obtain a release form from the radiation safety officer or designee before obtaining irradiated materials at Washington State University's nuclear reactor. Irradiated materials must first be brought to the Environmental Health and Safety Office after arriving on campus for check-in and monitoring requirements.

310.50 Facilities Located Outside of Moscow

Procedures for obtaining and receiving radioactive materials at university facilities located outside of Moscow shall be determined by the Radiation Safety Committee at the time of authorization.

310.60 Transfer of Radioactive Materials

1. Radioactive materials may be transferred from an authorized user to the radiation safety officer for waste disposal.
2. Radioactive materials may be transferred from one user to another upon written approval of the radiation safety officer or designee, providing the receiving user is authorized to use the materials being transferred.
3. Approval from the radiation safety officer or designee shall be required before transferring radioactive materials to or away from the University of Idaho.

310.70 Surplus or Donated Radioactive Materials

Personnel obtaining surplus or donated radioactive material shall obtain approval from the radiation safety officer before acquiring this material. The radiation safety officer shall ensure the university is licensed to possess this type and amount of radioactive material and shall determine whether or not it is in the best interests of the university to accept this material.

310.80 Uranium- and Thorium-Containing Materials

On September 9, 2008, the Radiation Safety Committee had discussed the use of depleted uranium compounds and the need to require users to obtain an authorization to use this type of material. The committee agreed that using depleted uranium compounds would not require authorization, if total quantities were 100 grams or less, and the user submitted information in writing to the radiation safety officer describing the quantity of depleted uranium compounds, the types of chemical compounds, the location of use, and that all waste will be submitted to the radiation safety office for disposal.

Researchers using depleted uranium compounds in total quantities greater than 100 grams, or using naturally occurring uranium or thorium containing compounds in any amount, will require an authorization from the Radiation Safety Committee.

310.90 Exempt Radioactive Materials

The Radiation Safety Committee does not consider any radioactive materials used for research or teaching purposes as exempt. All planned acquisition of radioactive material must be reported to the radiation safety officer. Certain commercially available sealed products (including items such as timepieces, static eliminators, lock illuminators, thermostat dials and pointers, night compasses, exit lights, and smoke alarms) may be exempt from authorization requirements. The radiation safety officer or designee may be contacted for further clarification.