HANDLING OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES

Transcription

1 XIII. HANDLING OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES The disposal of all radioactive waste is regulated by the CNSC, which specifies that a strict accounting be made of all radioactive waste generated. The CNSC has also determined the maximum amount of each isotope (expressed in Exemption Quantities) which may be released to the atmosphere, the municipal garbage, or the water system. These values are summarized below in Table XIII-1. Table XIII-1. Accepted Release Limits for Commonly Used Radioisotopes Isotope EQ (MBq) Solids to Municipal Garbage (MBq/Kg) Aqueous waste to Municipal Sewer System (MBq/year/building) C ,000 - P Gaseous waste to atmosphere (kbq/m 3) H ,000, I P S Co At SFU, waste disposal is controlled by the Bioscience Radionuclide Technician (BRT). In general, users are required to segregate radioactive waste by isotope; segregate waste by waste type (organic liquid, aqueous liquid, low level solid, high level solid); determine the activity of the waste; label each waste container with a waste tag, noting waste type, isotope, activity, room of origin, permit holder and date to facilitate handling. See sample waste tag in Fig. XIII-1. enter the identification number (ID#) of the waste tag on the inventory sheet to ensure tracking of any waste to its source vial. transfer suitably labeled and packaged wastes to the Bioscience Hot Lab for further processing. Detailed protocols for waste analysis and handling can be found in Table XIII-2. This table has links which show appropriate containment and packaging for various forms of radioactive waste. These links are accessible only in Internet Explorer; they are NOT supported by Netscape. If you wish to view the pictures of waste containment and packaging in Netscape, use the following link: XIII-1

2 Waste which is in excess of exemption quantities may be stored for decay if the half-life of the material is less than 2 years. The length of storage required is in the range of 7 to 10 half lives. After 7 half lives the activity of any radionuclide is reduced to less than 1% of its initial value. These wastes must be monitored prior to disposal. Waste containing materials with half-lives in excess of two years is currently stored on campus, but may have to be sent off-campus for disposal. It is important that only contaminated waste be sent to storage. Space is limited and should not be used to store trace contamination or uncontaminated rubbish for years. All radioactive waste generated must be clearly labeled as to isotope, approximate activity, room number of origin, date, and permit holder using tags provided. See Fig. XIII-1. RADIOACTIVE WASTE I.D. # 5155 PERMIT HOLDER: ROOM: DATE: AQUEOUS LIQUID ORGANIC LIQUID LOW LEVEL SOLID HIGH LEVEL SOLID ANIMAL WASTE BIOHAZARD WASTE ISOTOPE: ACTIVITY: Fig. XIII-1. Sample Radioactive Waste Tag. XIII-2

3 Table XIII-2. Radioactive waste handling chart. DESIGNATION EXAMPLES CRITERIA CONTAINMENT DISPOSAL PROCEDURE SOLID - Low level gloves, paper toweling, empty scintillation vials possibly contaminated but not likely <100 cpm measured with the Geiger-Counter Specially marked foot operated garbage cans lined with plastic bags Remove plastic bag, complete waste tag and tie to bag, record waste tag number on inventory sheet(s) and transfer bag to B7249 Hot Lab SOLID - High Level pipette tips, eppendorf holders, contaminated bench paper anything which has been in intimate contact with radioisotope >100 cpm above background measured with the G.M. beaker lined with plastic bag shielded box (plexiglass or lead) lined with a plastic bag Remove plastic bag, complete waste tag and tie to bag, record waste tag number on inventory sheet(s) and transfer bag to B7249 Hot Lab. In the case of P-32 and I-125, transport with appropriate shielding SOLID Sharps syringes, needles, scalpel blades, razor blades Radioactive Sharps Container available from the Bioscience Hot Lab Label with waste tag, record activity on inventory sheet and take to B7249 Hot Lab SOLID glass Pasteur pipettes, test tubes, broken glass Wide mouthed plastic jugs with secured lid, or by prior arrangement, a plastic lined box, or THICK plastic bags Label with waste tag, record activity on inventory sheet and take to B7249 Hot Lab SOLID - Animal Materials animal excrement, carcasses, animal tissue or tissue digests H-3 < 37 MBq/kg C-14 < 3.7 MBq/kg P-33 < 1 MBq/kg S-35 < 0.37 MBq/kg P-32 < 0.37 MBq/kg I-125 < MBq/kg Store in freezer until disposal is arranged with Hot Lab Technician Wrap in plastic bag, tag, record activity on inventory sheet, and take to B7249 Hot Lab with prior arrangement (tel: 3506) XIII-3

4 Table XIII-2. Radioactive waste handling chart. (continued) DESIGNATION EXAMPLES CRITERIA CONTAINMENT DISPOSAL PROCEDURE AQUEOUS LIQUID - Low Level (water based) sequencing buffer water soluble materials H-3 < 1,000 cpm/ml C-14 < 200 cpm/ml P-32 < 200 cpm/ml Empty plastic bottle or jug with secure lid. Note: shielding may be required for P-32 AQUEOUS LIQUID - High Level (water based) reaction products which are water soluble H-3 >1,000 cpm/ml C-14 >200 cpm/ml P-32 >200 dpm/ml P-33 all aqueous waste S-35 all aqueous waste I-125 all aqueous waste Empty plastic bottle or jug with secure lid. Note: Shielding may be required for P-32 ORGANIC LIQUID scintillation liquid, solvent based reaction materials, chlorinated materials, toxic materials, water insoluble materials empty plastic bottle or jug with secure lid. Note: Shielding may be required for P-32 RADIOACTIVE and BIOHAZARDOUS radioactive blood, bacteria viruses, primate body fluids Biohazard Classification Risk Group 1 or 2. Contact Occupational Health and Safety at 5728 for procedures before packaging waste. Do NOT autoclave radioactive biohazardous materials. Label container with waste tag and transfer to B7249 RADIOACTIVE SHARPS and BIOHAZARDOUS radioactive and biohazardous needles, syringes, scalpel blades, razor blades Biohazard Classification Risk Group 1 or 2. Designated Red Biohazardous Sharps Container available from Science Stores. Contact Occupational Health and Safety at 5728 for procedures before packaging waste. Do NOT autoclave radioactive biohazardous materials. Label container with waste tag and transfer to B7249 XIII-4

5 XIII-5