|
THE
ORCBS > Radiation
Safety
> Radiation
Safety Manual
>
 Laboratory
Design and Equipment
Working with radioactive
materials requires the use of specially designed laboratories and
equipment, and may not be conducted in offices or other unapproved
locations. In fact, rooms to be used for such work must be examined
and approved for the use of the types and quantities of radioactive
materials to be used. This is part of the approval process. Most laboratories
at Michigan State University meet the requirements for use of radiation.
Smooth, contiguous,
non-absorbent surfaces such as stainless steel or linoleum are preferred
in a radiation work area. A properly working chemical fume hood
with flow rates of at least 100 feet per minute is required if fume
hoods will be used for containing radioactive materials. Special
filters and/or design is not generally necessary, but may be prudent
in special cases. The rooms used must be capable of security, or
in other words must be able to be locked to maintain the security
requirements for radioactive materials.
In areas where
contamination is likely, surfaces should be covered with absorbent
and disposable material, such as poly-backed absorbent lab paper.
(The paper should have the plastic side down, absorbent side up.)
If you are in the process of designing a radioisotope lab, consult
the Health Physics staff for information regarding design and vendor
catalogues. Work areas should be localized to minimize the possibility
of contamination spread, and also because surveys must be conducted
for all areas where radioactive materials are used, stored or disposed.
Equipment such
as glassware, tools, syringes, etc. used in the handling of radioactive
materials should not be used for other work or allowed to leave
the lab unless it can be shown that the equipment is free from removable
contamination. It is strongly recommended that a designated and
labeled storage area be used to store this equipment. Fume hoods
with flow rates of at least 100 linear feet per minute should be
used whenever working with radioactive materials where the potential
for vaporization/volatilization exists (as is the case during iodination),
or in handling stock solutions of radiotracers, because of the high
activity concentration.
Clean
Laboratory Conditions and Containment
Radiation
Safety Manual Table of Contents
|
