UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas Protocol for Use of Radioactive Materials 1. AUTHORIZED USER Name Thomas Hartmann Phone 2. PROJECT NAME 895-1934, Cell: (208) 346-0273 3. FACILITY Glove-box based preparation of Tc-99 based powders for subsequent Sintering or ASTM based leaching experiments Building Lab MSM 234/236 4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Glove-box based preparation of Tc-99 based powders for subsequent sintering (HUP) or ASTM-based leaching experiments. The maximum total activity will not exceed 3000 μCi for Tc-99 or 177 mg Tc-99 which translates to 0.75 ALI by ingestion and 4.3 ALI for inhalation for Tc-99. The sample preparation will be performed in an atmosphere controlled negative pressure glove box which is connected to a HEPA filtered exhaust stack. Therefore no airborne contamination for laboratory MSM 234/236 is expected. Hereby the maximum activity of one individual powder sample is less than 350 μCi corresponding to approximately 0.09 ALI for ingestion and 0.5 ALI by inhalation. Contamination control/monitoring protocols developed for the radiochemistry laboratories will be used for this work. Appropriate PPE will be used at all times. 1. Source material of 177 mg Tc-99 or less, mainly as solid Tc(IV)-based oxide powder will be introduced to an atmosphere controlled glove box in MSM 234/236 together with other chemicals (ethanol, nonradioactive metal oxides, standards) using glass vials and secondary containment. 2. Samples will be placed on a tray (covered with disposable absorbent mat and moistened paper towel) in the glove box. 3. Pre-grinding: For each sample about 10 to 30 mg Tc-99(IV)-based oxide powder, or mixtures of Tcbased and non-radioactive metal oxide powders will be transferred to an agate mortar, suspended with few mL of ethanol and the mortar will be covered with Parafilm. 4. Grinding: The agate pestle will be introduced through an opening on the Parafilm and the sample ground with slow movements with the aid of ethanol to a particle size of about 150-20 m. 5. Sieving: For subsequent leaching experiments particles with size fractions between 100 and 200 mesh (149 m – 74 m) will be separated using a sealed 4 inch sieve set and a vortex in the glove box. The 100-200 mesh size fractions will be transferred to a glass vial and the weight will be recorded. 6. Loading of digestion vessels: 20 mL or 50 mL digestion vessels will be loaded with Tc-99 based powder in the glove box using a funnel over a on a tray (covered with disposable absorbent mat and moistened paper towel). 7. Samples for HUP-based sintering: Metal oxide mixtures will be prepared an agate mortar, suspended with few drops of ethanol and homogenized. The powder mixtures will be scooped into glass vials. 8. Decontamination: The outside of the digestion vessels or the scintillation vials will be cleaned using ethanol-moistened Kimwipes. The residual powder in the sieve will be transferred to the mortar and stored in glass vials. The sieves will be cleaned by moistened paper towels. 9. Survey of sample vials: Smears from the sample vials and the digestion vessels will be taken and RAM Protocol v8 Page 1 of 12 UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas analyzed for /β contamination. 10. Sample discharge: The sample vials/digestion vessels will be discharged from the glove box. The sample vials will be transferred to the hot uniaxial press (HUP) which is hosted in a separated glove box. The digestion vessels will be transferred to the dry furnace (fume hood) for subsequent leaching and corrosion experiments. 11. Survey of the work area: After the experiment is completed, the work area will be decontaminated if necessary and complete end-of-day/experiment surveys using a handheld detector (α/β probe) and swipe surveys will be performed. 5. AUTHORIZED RESEARCHERS Name NSHE1000028041 Name DOE-trained RadWorker for 15+ years continuously, 22 years on handling of powder, 15 + years handling radioactive powders and ceramics at KIT-INE (Germany), LANL, UNLV and INL Employee/ Ariana J. Alaniz Student ID E000133840/NSHE1000158964 Experience 2 years in fabrication of Tc waste forms, handling of mg quantities ofTcO2 powder Name Izua J. Alaniz Experience 2 years of RMS chemical inventory experience, and an additional 1.5 years in biochemistry and biology lab work. Experience I Employee/ Student ID Thomas Hartmann Employee/ Student ID NSHE 1000133887 insert rows as needed. 6. RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS USED: List each radionuclide used and the maximum amount used in any single procedure. Indicate if there is a potential for airborne contamination. * Attachment 2, UNLV Risk Assessment and Control Guideline for Unsealed-Radioactive Materials. Note: If nuclide not listed, refer to 10 CFR20, Appendix B, Table 1. Nuclide Maximum Activity per Use (µCi) ALIInhalation (µCi) Tc-99 3000 700 ALIIngestion (µCi) 4000 ALI-Limiting (µCi) 700 Potential Airborne* (Y/N) Y Risk Level** (1-4) 3 Physical Form / Chemical Name Solid as oxide 7. RADIATION SAFETY MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT: Check all items available to workers handling radioactive material. X Protective gloves X Lab coat X Safety glasses Face shield Shoe covers Respirator X X X Warning signs/tags/tape Absorbent paper Trays Secondary containers Handling tongs Shielding 8. ENGINEERING CONTROLS: Check all items that are required. RAM Protocol v8 Page 2 of 12 X X X Personal dosimeters Survey meter Swipe counter Other (list): UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas Fume hood - unfiltered Fume hood – filtered exhaust X Glove box – positive/negative pressur condary containment 9. EVALUATION OF AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS: Indicate how radioactive materials could become airborne. Check all that apply. Production or use of radioactive gas (e.g. methane, 14CO2) Grinding, pulverizing and associated handling of dry dispersible unsealed radioactive material Volatile compound (e.g. Na125I, 3H2O, labeled solvents, Na-Borohydride) Aerosols (e.g. evaporation of liquids) Use of powders and other finely divided solids X Other (list): Grinding, homogenization and associated handling of wet/suspended dispersible X unsealed radioactive material Other (list): 10. AIR MONITORING: Check all items that are required. [Routine air monitoring required if > 0.01 ALI of dry, dispersible material. Continuous air monitoring required if >0.1 ALI of dry, dispersible material. Breathing Zone Air sampling (BZA) is required when working with ≥ 1 ALI dry, dispersible materials (airborne)]. (Note: For limits, see Attachment 1. If nuclide not listed, refer to 10 CFR20, Appendix B, Table 1). None Routine X CAM X BZA 11. BIOASSAY: Check all items that are required. [Baseline bioassay and quarterly bioassay required >5 ALI dispersible (airborne). X Baseline X Quarterly Special Other 12. FACILITIES: List ALL rooms where ANY radioactive material will be used or stored. Briefly describe the use of each location. Insert rows as needed. Building MSM MSM Room # 236 236 Use Glove Box (manipulating mg amounts of TcO2 for subsequent experiment) Desiccator central bench-top (storage of mg amounts TcO2) 13. RISK ASSESSMENT: Describe the expected radiation dose associated with this protocol. Describe the likelihood and seriousness of unexpected, but realistic, problems or accidents. (Consultation is available from Radiation Safety.) Normal Conditions During normal conditions there is no realistic inhalation risk. Tc-99 samples are not volatile at room temperature. The oxide powders will be prepared in an atmosphere controlled negative pressure glove box and discharged from the box in scintillation vials or digestion vessels for subsequent experiments (e.g. HUP-based sintering, Tc-99 leaching). An annual uptake of 5,000 mrem radiation dose associated with this protocol is highly unlikely. The total Tc-99 content of the solid samples will be less than 177 mg or 3000 μCi corresponding to an activity of approximately 0.75 ALI by ingestion and 4.3 ALI for inhalation for Tc-99. The material is stored in glass vials and secondary containment and the unsealed source material is handled in a glove box. Off-Normal Conditions / Accident Scenarios The likely accident scenario would be a potential powder spill of 10 to 30 mg TcO2 (6.9-20.6 mg Tc-99) during sample preparation in the glove box. This worst case scenario would be associated with an estimate activity of 117 μCi to 350 μCi Tc-99 or 0.03-0.09 ALI for ingestion and 0.17-0.50 ALI for inhalation. For Tc-99 the NRC lists for RAM Protocol v8 Page 3 of 12 UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas injection an ALI of 4000 μCi (236 mg Tc-99) and an ALI for inhalation of 700 μCi (41 mg Tc-99). Using the inhalation ALI’s as binding values, an accidental inhalation of 10-30 mg TcO2 would be far lower than 1 ALI. This worst case inhalation scenario is very unlikely due to engineering controls (atmosphere controlled glove box connected to a HEPA filtered exhaust stack). In terms of contamination, the likely accident to happen would be a powder spill of an entire sample. Sample masses are <30 mg TcO2 total. Assuming all of the material actually escaped the mortar, this would correspond to an activity of <350 μCi for Tc-99. To mitigate the potential for powder spills during sample preparation a pre-moistened paper towel cloth will be used on top of the absorbed pads and the glove box bottom, the back wall, and the side-walls will be covered with sticky mats. There is no potential for airborne/inhalation exposure in the room MSM 234/236 from the samples under normal conditions. 14. CONTROL MEASURES: Describe the procedures and equipment used to limit external dose and/or contamination. All of the unsealed source work will be performed in a glove box of the radioactive materials laboratories. Standard contamination controls will be used, which include smear surveys at the end of the experiment (transfer), personnel monitoring (frisker, portal monitor), and hand-held detectors. The laboratory is also surveyed weekly, in addition to the end of experiment testing. 15. MONITORING: Describe the procedures and equipment used to assess external dose and/or contamination. Contamination control/monitoring protocols developed for the radiochemistry laboratories will be used for this work. Handheld survey equipment (A/B probes, GM pancake). Smear Surveys (A/B Scintillator or gas proportional counter). 16. RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL: Describe the radioactive waste that will be produced and how it will be managed. Potentially contaminated PPE (gloves, etc.) and associated materials (disposable pads, paper towels, Kimwipes) will be generated from the transfer, loading, and handling of materials in this experiment. This waste material will also be discharged from the box and disposed with other wastes from the radiochemistry laboratory RAM Protocol v8 Page 4 of 12 UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas 17. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: Describe or reference. For a powder spill during the sample preparation, the spilled powder will be scooped up if easily achievable using paper strips and transferred into a glass vial in a secondary containment. Remaining loose powder will be fixed and removed using sticky tape. Absorbent material will be used to absorb any residual radioactive material. A premoistened cloth will be used as a protection layer on top of the absorption pads and also to decontaminate the area. Smear surveys will be taken from the antechamber and the surroundings to check for residual contamination. The user will be notified of the incident. For any spills involving more than 20 mg Tc-99 the RSO will also be notified 18. RSO Conditions/Comments: Describe or reference. Conditions: Comments: RAM Protocol v8 Page 5 of 12 UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas DECLARATION by RESEARCHER(S) I have read and understood the UNLV Radiation Safety Manual. I agree to read any additional rules or guidelines issued by UNLV or external regulatory agencies. I agree to abide by these rules or to discontinue working with radioactive material. Date Insert additional boxes as needed. Date PROTOCOL REVIEW AND WALKTHROUGH Authorized User Print Name Thomas Hartmann Date Sign Exp. Date PROTOCOL APPROVAL Radiation Safety Officer (if required) Print Name Date Sign Exp. Date RAM Protocol v8 Page 6 of 12 UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas ATTACHMENT 1 ACTIVITY LIMITS FOR UNLV RADIATION SAFETY LEVELS FOR RADIOACITVE MATERIALS Limiting Values - Radiological Health* Nuclide Am-241 Am-242m Am-243 Ba-133 C-14 Cd-109 Cl-36 Cm-244 Cm-248 Co-57 Co-60 Cs-137 Eu-152 Eu-154 Eu-155 Gd-148 H-3 Hf-175 I-125 I-131 Mn-54 Na-22 Np-237 P-32 P-33 Pb-210 Po-210 Pu-236 Pu-238 Pu-239 Pu-240 Pu-241 Pu-242 Ra-226 Sb-125 Sm-147 Sr-85 Sr-90 Tc-99 Tc-99m Th-229 Th-230 Th-232 Tl-204 U-232 U-233 U-235 U-238 Zn-65 Zr-95 ALI Ingestion (µCi) 0.8 0.8 ALI Inhalation (µCi) 0.006 0.006 Ratio Ingestion /Inhalation 0.8 2,000 2,000 300 2,000 1.0 0.2 4,000 200 100 800 500 4,000 10 80,000 3,000 40 30 2,000 400 0.5 600 6,000 1.0 3.0 2.0 0.9 0.8 0.8 40 0.8 2.0 2,000 20 3,000 30 4,000 80,000 0.6 4.0 0.7 2,000 2.0 10 10 10 400 1,000 0.006 700 2,000 40 2,000 0.010 0.002 700 30 200 20 20 90 0.008 80,000 900 60 50 800 600 0.004 400 3,000 20 0.60 0.020 0.007 0.006 0.006 0.30 0.007 0.60 500 0.070 2,000 4.00 700 200,000 0.001 0.006 0.001 2,000 0.008 0.040 0.040 0.040 300 100 RAM Protocol v8 Rad Level 1** 133 133 Limiting ALI (µCi) 0.01 0.01 Less Than (µCi) 0.000060 0.000060 133 2.86 1.00 7.50 1.00 100 100 5.71 6.67 0.50 40 25 44 1,250 1.00 3.33 0.67 0.60 2.50 0.67 125 1.50 2 0.05 5.00 100 129 133 133 133 114 3.33 4.00 286 1.50 7.50 5.71 0.40 667 667 700 1.00 250 250 250 250 1.33 10 0.01 700 2,000 40 2,000 0.01 0.002 700 30 100 20 20 90 0.01 80,000 900 40 30 800 400 0.004 400 3,000 1.00 0.60 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.30 0.01 0.60 500 0.07 2,000 4.00 700 80,000 0.001 0.01 0.001 2,000 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.04 300 100 0.000060 7.00 20 0.400 20 0.00010 0.000020 7.00 0.300 1.00 0.200 0.200 0.900 0.000080 50 9.00 0.400 0.300 8.00 4.00 0.000040 4.00 50 0.010 0.0060 0.00020 0.000070 0.000060 0.000060 0.0030 0.000070 0.0060 5.00 0.00070 20 0.040 7.00 50 0.000009 0.000060 0.000010 20 0.000080 0.00040 0.00040 0.00040 3.00 1.00 Page 7 of 12 Rad Level 2 Rad Level 3 Rad Level 4 Not Airborne & Less Than (µCi) If NOT Airborne Less Than (µCi) If Airborne Less Than (µCi) If NOT Airborne Less Than (µCi) If Airborne Less Than (µCi) 0.80 0.80 40 40 0.30 0.30 800 800 6.00 6.00 0.80 2,000 2,000 300 2,000 1.00 0.20 4,000 200 100 800 500 4,000 10 5,000 3,000 40 30 2,000 400 0.50 600 5,000 1.00 3.00 2.00 0.90 0.80 0.80 40 0.80 2.00 2,000 20 3,000 30 4,000 5,000 0.60 4.00 0.70 2,000 2.00 10 10 10 400 1,000 40 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50 10 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 500 50,000 50,000 2,000 1,500 50,000 50,000 25 50,000 50,000 50 150 100 45 40 40 2,000 40 100 50,000 1,000 50,000 1,500 50,000 50,000 30 200 35 50,000 100 500 500 500 50,000 50,000 0.30 35,000 50,000 2,000 50,000 0.50 0.10 35,000 1,500 5,000 1,000 1,000 4,500 0.40 50,000 45,000 2,000 1,500 40,000 20,000 0.20 20,000 50,000 50 30 1.00 0.35 0.30 0.30 15 0.35 30 25,000 3.50 50,000 200 35,000 50,000 0.05 0.30 0.05 50,000 0.40 2.00 2.00 2.00 15,000 5,000 800 1,000,000 1,000,000 300,000 1,000,000 1,000 200 1,000,000 200,000 100,000 800,000 500,000 1,000,000 10,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 40,000 30,000 1,000,000 400,000 500 600,000 1,000,000 1,000 3,000 2,000 900 800 800 40,000 800 2,000 1,000,000 20,000 1,000,000 30,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 600 4,000 700 1,000,000 2,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 400,000 1,000,000 6.00 700,000 1,000,000 40,000 1,000,000 10 2.00 700,000 30,000 100,000 20,000 20,000 90,000 8.00 1,000,000 900,000 40,000 30,000 800,000 400,000 4.00 400,000 1,000,000 1,000 600 20 7.00 6.00 6.00 300 7.00 600 500,000 70 1,000,000 4,000 700,000 1,000,000 0.90 6.00 1.00 1,000,000 8.00 40 40 40 300,000 100,000 UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas * USNRC 10 CFR20 Appendix B Table 1. Revised Aug 11 2010. ** See "UNLV Guideline for Risk Assessment and Control of Radioactive Materials" for details on derivation of risk level limits. Note: If nuclide is not listed, refer to 10 CFR 20, Appendix B, Table 1 Note: Green indicates limit is set to control the potential for FACILITY contamination. RAM Protocol v8 Page 8 of 12 UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas Rad Safety Level Risk Level MINIMAL RISK: Unlikely to produce a dose to a Worker greater than 100 mrem. ATTACHMENT 2 UNLV RISK ASSESSMENT and CONTROL GUIDELINE for UNSEALED-RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS Activity per Experiment * Control Measures (all apply) Bioassay Requirement and Periodicity ≤ .01 ALI-Ingestion None General supervision by the Authorized User Max. = 50 µCi None Instruction to Workers on rad risks and proper handling procedures (1 ALI intake = 5000 mrem, 0.01 ALI intake = 50 mrem) 1 Air Monitoring In procedures and post use survey by Worker Monthly inspection and quarterly survey by Radiation Safety Office LOW RISK: Possible to receive an annual dose in excess of 5 rem. Mitigated by the Worker: 2 understanding, and applying good health physics work practices and procedures use of engineering and contamination control measures Non Airborne >.01 to ≤ 1.0 ALI-Ingestion Airborne ≤ .01 ALI-Limiting All Max. = 5 mCi (1 ALI intake = 5000 merm) RAM Protocol v8 Instruction to Worker on rad risks and proper handling procedures None . Review, understand and apply research protocol Lab specific training by Authorized User followed by routine supervision In-procedure monitoring and post use surveys by Worker Monthly inspection and quarterly survey by Radiation Safety Office Page 9 of 12 None None None . UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas ATTACHMENT 2 UNLV RISK ASSESSMENT and CONTROL GUIDELINE for UNSEALED-RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS (cont.) Rad Safety Level Risk Level MODERATE RISK: Likely to receive an annual dose in excess of 5 rem. Mitigated by: 3 the Worker has thorough knowledge of radiation safety principles and practices, plus task specific training use of engineering and contamination control measures consistent use of task specific control measures demonstrating ability to effectively control radiation hazards Activity per Experiment * (all apply) Control Measures Non-Airborne Bioassay Requirement and Periodicity Protocol approval by Authorized User and RSO > 1.0 to ≤50 ALI-Ingestion Lab specific training of Worker by Authorized User followed by routine supervision Airborne > .01 to ≤50 ALI-Limiting All In-procedure monitoring and post use surveys by Worker Max. = 50 mCi Monthly inspection and survey by Radiation Safety Office Non-airborne > 10 ALI (ingestion) requires fume hood Airborne ≥ 0.01 ALI (limiting), requires fume hood ≥ 10 ALI (limiting), requires negative pressure glove box Baseline bioassay and quarterly bioassay required: >5 ALI (limiting) dispersible material (potential airborne) >100ALI (ingestion) dispersible material. Or unescorted access to RAD Level 3 or 4 labs. RAM Protocol v8 Air Monitoring Page 10 of 12 Routine air monitoring required if > 0.01 ALI of dry, dispersible material (potential airborne). Continuous air monitoring required if >0.1 ALI of dry, dispersible material (potential airborne). Breathing Zone Air-sampling (BZA) is required when working with ≥ 1 ALI of dry, dispersible material (potential airborne). UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas ATTACHMENT 2 UNLV RISK ASSESSMENT and CONTROL GUIDELINE for UNSEALED-RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS (cont.) Rad Safety Level Risk Level HIGH RISK: Very likely to receive an annual dose in excess of 5 rem. Mitigated by: 4 the Worker has advanced knowledge in radiation safety principles and practices, plus task specific training and procedures consistently using task specific control measures Activity per Experiment * (all apply) Non-Airborne >50 to ≤ 1,000 ALI-Ingestion Airborne > 50 to ≤1,000 ALI-Limiting All Max. = 1000 mCi demonstrating the ability to effectively control radiation hazards Control Measures Air Monitoring Protocol approval by Authorized User and RSO Authorized User MUST be present in lab Initial applied training of Worker by Authorized User followed by routine supervision In-procedure monitoring and post use surveys by Worker Weekly survey by Authorized User/Staff Monthly inspection and survey by Radiation Safety Non-Airborne ≥100 ALI-(limiting), requires negative pressure glove box Airborne ≥ 10 ALI (limiting), requires negative pressure glove box - 1,000 ALI (limiting) maximum RAM Protocol v8 Bioassay Requirement and Periodicity Page 11 of 12 Baseline bioassay and quarterly bioassay required. Work activity review by the Radiation Safety Office may increase bioassay frequency. Continuous air monitoring required Breathing Zone Air-sampling (BZA) required . UNLV RM&S RSO FORM 22 University of Nevada Las Vegas ATTACHMENT 2 UNLV RISK ASSESSMENT and CONTROL GUIDELINE for UNSEALED-RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS (cont.) NOTE: * See Attachment 1, Activity Limits for UNLV Radiation Safety Levels for Radioactive Materials, for listing of activity levels by individual nuclide. Abbreviations: ALI Annual limit on intake. ALI-Limiting Lowest ALI for either ingestion or inhalation for a given nuclide. Assumed Protection Factors: - Airborne: Open Bench 1X Fume Hood 1,000X Negative Pressure Glove Box 100,000X - Non-Airborne: Open Bench 1X Fume Hood 10X Negative Pressure Glove Box 1,000X Definitions – Annual limit on intake (ALI): As defined in Title 10, Section 20.1003, of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 20.1003), ALI is “the derived limit for the amount of radioactive material taken into the body of an adult worker by inhalation or ingestion in a year. ALI is the smaller value of intake of a given radionuclide in a year by the reference man that would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5 rems (0.05 Sv) or a committed dose equivalent of 50 rems (0.5 Sv) to any individual organ or tissue. (ALI values for intake by ingestion and by inhalation of selected radionuclides are given in Table 1, Columns 1 and 2, of appendix B to §§ 20.1001`20.2401)." RAM Protocol v8 Page 12 of 12