Day II: Part 2
Sections: 12-13
Radiation Safety in
the
Working
Environment
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE Gyrus
Scientists isolate
‘Common Sense’
Gene!
Personal Protective Equipment
WorkSafe BC
8.10 (1)
• The personal clothing of a worker must
be of a type and in a condition which
will not expose the worker to any
unnecessary or avoidable hazards.
• Worn by workers for protection against
various hazards.
Protective Clothing
Protective Clothing
• Loose fitting long pants
• Lab Coat/Coveralls
• Closed toed and heel shoes
Eye Protection
Protective Gloves
Protective Gloves
• Web site:
http://www.bestglove.com
Jewellery and Rad work
Tears in
your gloves
Jewellery and Rad work
Half – life of C-14
is 5730 years
C-14
C-14
C-14
C-14
Protective Footwear
Personal Protective
Equipment
• Requires proper selection, training
and supervision is ensure its
effectiveness.
• Is used when elimination,
engineering or administrative
controls are not practicable.
• Must be administrated by
knowledgeable persons.
Safe Work Practices
(cont’d)
Use correctly!!!
Maximum
Distance of
Beta Particles
in Air
– P32
– Na22
– I131
– Ru86
-6m
-1.4 m
-1.65 m
-6.4 m
Maximum
Distance of
Beta Particles
and gamma
radiation in
Air
–
–
–
–
P-32 - 6 m
Na-22 - 1.4 m
I-131 - 1.65 m
Ru-86 - 6.4 m
P-32 Protection
P-32 Maximum range = 6m
260 mSV/hr
37 MBq P-32
TH E U N IVE RSITY O F BR ITI SH C OLU MB IA
Laboratory Equipment
Maintenance
– Wipe test equipment
– Remove contents (if applicable
e.g. Fume hood)
– Inform HSE
– HSE gives clearance
– Maintenance proceeds
Shielding Sources
– Lead
– Metal Distributors 7220 Winston
Ave. Burnaby 420-3731
– Plexiglass
– GE Polymershapes 604 468 2112
– Leaded Plexiglass
– ELLARD INSTRUMENTATION LTD
Seattle
800-ELLARD1
http://home.earthlink.net/~eiltd
Benefits of NonIsotopic Methods
 No radiation exposure
 No specially designated
equipment
 Simplified waste handling
 No special training
 No contamination control
 No record keeping
 Equal quality
Non-isotopic Methods
– Labeling and Detection of
Nucleic Acids
– DNA, RNA, Oligonucleotide
probes
– In Situ Hybridization
– Sequencing
Radioactive Biohazards
– CNSC Regulations
– Biosafety Regulations
– Public Health Agency of Canada
– Canadian Food and Inspection Agency
– CASE by CASE
Radioactive Biohazards
• RADIATION
– Constant
– Detectable
– Quantitative
– Half-life
• BIOHAZARD
– Replicate
– Dose Variability
– Spectrum of
Effects
Radioactive Biohazards
Terminate radioactive biohazards
with appropriate biocide
i.e. phenol based compounds
Radioactive
Biohazards
Isotopes may be used
in a Biosafety Cabinet:
– Warning Symbol
– Wipe Tests
– Proper BSC techniques
Plan to Succeed
Expect to Fail
Radioactive Biohazard or
Biohazardous Radiation?
– Plan ahead
– Written Protocol
– It WILL happen
“Well....thanks a bunch, ‘Mister Who Needs a Written Protocol?’