Radioactive Waste: Handling and Disposal
All radioactive waste must be labeled. Non-P-32 waste will be picked up and disposed of
by licenced waste contractor and P-32 waste will be disposed of by delay and decay.
Disposal of Radioactive Wastes
Radioactive materials, whether sources or carcasses of laboratory animals in which radioactive
material has been incorporated, or contaminated equipment or laboratory materials, awaiting
disposal, shall be stored in the radioactive storage room (Room G111, Farquharson). Access to
the radioactive storage room is limited to personnel who are wearing a radiation TLD badge.
Radioactive waste collections will be arranged by the Radiation Safety Officer in conjunction with
a contracted disposal service. Materials for waste collection, e.g. celite/gel containers and
garbage containers, will be supplied. Every radioisotope permit holder is reminded that it is a
federal requirement to maintain records regarding the use, storage and disposal of all radioactive
materials at the university.
1.
Phosporus-32 Waste
Refer to Appendix I for disposal procedure.
2.
Liquid Radioactive Waste
Flammable Liquids
Volatile or flammable liquids containing radioactive materials are to be poured into celite
containers. Liquid scintillation vials for disposal must be securely sealed, stored in the laboratory
in their original cartons, taped and labeled as to activity and isotopes, and sealed in poly bags
ready for collection. In laboratories where reusable scintillation solutions are used, liquid must be
poured into celite containers and made available for collection.
3.
Acid Solutions
All acids containing radioactive materials should be transferred to plastic jars containing celite.
Jars will be labeled with the appropriate information as to name of permit holder, radionuclides
and activity or activities.
4.
Aqueous Solutions
Radioactive aqueous solutions must be poured into containers containing gel, labeled, securely
sealed and made available for collection.
5.
Solid Radioactive Wastes
All solid radioactive wastes are to be stored in garbage containers lined with poly bags.
Hypodermic needles and other sharp objects, including contaminated glassware, are to be stored
separately from other waste in puncture-proof containers and clearly marked.
6.
Animals
Animal Carcasses and animal wastes for disposal must be placed in poly bags and stored in cold
room or in freezers, ready for collection. Each bag is to be labeled as to name of permit holder,
radionuclide, activity, type of animal and date of sacrifice.
7.
Sealed Radioactive Sources or Sources in Devices
All sealed radioactive sources or devices which are no longer used or required must be disposed
of through the Radiation Safety Officer.
8.
Disposal of Gaseous Radioactive Waste
Radioactive gases must not be discharged to the environment unless the activity is less than the
maximum release concentration appropriate to the particular radionuclide involved. In all cases,
reference should be made to the Radiation Safety Officer for approval of the proposed
procedures.
Appendix I
Phosphorous-32 Waste Disposal Procedure
Introduction
The purpose of establishing a special phosphorous-32 waste disposal procedure is to minimize
the volume of radioactive waste and thus to reduce the cost to the users for the transportation
and disposal of radioactive wastes.
Phosphorous-32 is a short half-life radioactive material in which its waste can be stored for decay
to background levels and then be disposed as ‘normal’ garbage rather than being shipped for
burial as radioactive waste. The following are the characteristics of phosphorous-32:
PHOSPHOROUS-32
Physical Characteristics:
Physical Half-Life:
14.28 days
Radiation: Beta 1.710 MeV (max.) 100
Range in Air: 610 cm (max.)
Source Strength:
2100 mrem/hr at 10 cm per uCi
(Unshielded point source)
Radiobiological Characteristics:
Radiotoxicity: Moderate
Critical Organ: Bone
Biological Half-Life:
257 days
Effective Half-Life:
13.5 days
The Beta radiation from phosphorous-32 is extremely penetrating. The surface dose rate from an
open source is quite large at short range and is not attenuated appreciably by a few centimeters
of air. Any direct skin contact with phosphorus-32 must be avoided and measures to control
contamination are essential.
In accordance with the conditions for disposal as listed in York’s radioisotope license,
phosphorus-32 can be disposed of:
In Solid Form:
By release through the municipal garbage system if concentration is less than 10uCi/kg of waste
material and is uniformly distributed, or
In Liquid Form:
By release through the municipal sewage system provided the substance is water soluble and the
concentration in the sewer at the property line for the facility is less than 0.1 uCi/liter of effluent
based upon a yearly average.
DISPOSAL PROCEDURES:
ACTION
1.
Segregate phosphorus-32 (P-32) waste from other
radioactive wastes.
2.
With P-32 waste, separate into liquid and solid waste.
3.
a. For solid P-32 waste:
I. Place into plastic waste container.
II. Stick on a special P-32 waste label, and check off “solid” on
the label.
III. Before taking to the special waste storage area, complete all
information on the label e.g. date of disposal, name of
disposer, activity, etc…
IV. Wipe the outside of the container, take to special storage
area (Fig. II)*.
V. Store on the appropriate shelf for current month.
RESPONSIBLE
User
User
User
User
Disposer
Disposer
Disposer
* Refer to next page during transportation.
b. For liquid P-32 waste:
Segregate into water soluble and insoluble waste.
For water soluble liquid P-32 waste:
1. Place waste into container.
2. Stick on special P-32 waste label, and check off on
label “liquid” and “water soluble”.
3. Before bringing to the special waste storage area,
complete all information on the label.
4. Wipe the outside of the container and take to special
waste storage area*.
5. Store on appropriate shelf for current month.
User
User
User
Disposer
Disposer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
For water insoluble liquid P-32 waste:
Pour into 4L glass bottle.
Adhere special P-32 waste label. Check off “water
insoluble” and “liquid” on the label.
Before bringing to the waste storage area, complete all
information on the label, e.g. activity, date of disposal,
name of disposer.
Wipe the outside of the container and take to special waste
storage area*.
Store on appropriate shelf for current month.
* During transportation, use a trolley and shield the container with plexiglass.
User
User
Disposer
Disposer
Disposer
Appendix II
Phosphorous-32 Waste Disposal System Maintenance
P-32 users and disposers are to follow the “P-32 Waste Disposal Procedure” and the Radiation
Safety Officer (RSO) or designate will be responsible to maintain and monitor the system.
ACTION
1. On a monthly basis (on the first day of each
month), remove and check all materials left on the
shelf 4 months prior with detector.
For material with radiation level above background,
place material on the shelf labeled with the
following month.
1.2 For material with radiation level above background,
place material on the shelf labeled with the
following month.
1.3 For material with background radiation level,
remove all radioactive label and dispose of as
normal waste.
1.4 For organic or water insoluble liquid, contact permit
holder for proper disposal.
2. Relabeling of Shelves:
 Relabel the emptied shelf with the current
month
3. Contamination monitoring of shelves:
 Coordinate shelves monitoring with Monserco
pick-up date (usually first Monday of the
month).
 Monitor and wipe test all shelves.
 If contamination is detected, clean shelf and remonitor until level returns to background. If
decontamination is not successful, contact
RSO.
4. Check wipe test records, disposal room, and the
disposal system occasionally.
Date of Revision: August 2003
RESPONSIBLE
Science G.A.
Science G.A.
Science G.A.
Science G.A.
Science G.A.
Science G.A.
RSO or designate