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Safety Manual
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 Leak
Tests of Sealed Sources
Each sealed source
containing licensed material (other than tritium) with a half-life
greater than thirty days, and in any form other than gas, shall be
periodically tested for leakage. The test shall be capable of detecting
0.005 uCi. Sources are exempt from testing if they contain <10
uCi of an alpha emitting material or <100 uCi of a beta or gamma
emitting radionuclide.
Sources that
are being stored and not being used must be tested at least once
every ten years, with the exception of alpha emitting sources. Alpha
emitting sources must be tested every quarter, regardless of use.
A stored
source is one that has not been used for six months, and will not
be used in the coming six months. It must be removed from its
functional position (i.e., electron capture devices removed from
gas chromatographs) and secured. Stored sealed sources must be leak
tested before being returned to service. The broad license requires
that sealed beta or gamma emitting sources be leak tested every
six months. Alpha emitting sealed sources must be leak tested every
three months.
Principal investigators
must have approvals to possess and use sealed radioactive sources.
Users must have training, sources must be labeled, and security
must be in place. It is the principal investigator's responsibility
to assure that the sources are used according to the laws and regulations
pertaining to the source. In particular, the leak tests must be
performed by the required deadline. If non compliances are found
with sealed sources, sanctions may be imposed.
Radiation
Safety for Machine Produced Radiation
Radiation
Safety Manual Table of Contents
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