§ 627.20 - Operations with radioactive material.

Operations that combine etiologic agents with radioactive material present unique problems. When this is the case, the following apply:

(a) Radiation program. A radiation program meeting the requirements of AR 385-11 and NRC licensing that allows the particular isotope and its use are required. The requirements for acquisition, handling procedures, labeling, storage, training, monitoring, and disposal will be described in an organization policy document.

(b) Procedure approval. In addition to the required approvals for work with etiologic agents, the RPO will approve all SOPs involving the use of radioactive materials. Laboratory operators must be fully trained, with annual training updates as required by the existing license.

(c) Special situations. (1) The laboratory waste must be segregated as radioactive waste and disposed of as such after it has been decontaminated. Do not mix nonradioactive waste with radioactive waste as the disposal of radioactive waste is much more complex and expensive. When RCRA-listed chemicals are mixed with radioactive waste, it becomes “mixed waste” for which there is currently no means of disposal.

(2) Activities conducted with radioisotopes should be confined to the smallest number of areas or rooms consistent with requirements.

(3) Decontamination methods specific to etiologic agents will not always remove radioactivity. Other methods, such as specialized detergents and solvents designed for this use, should be employed to remove residual radioactivity.