SOP 4.19: Radioactive Waste Management



SOP 4.19 Radioactive Waste Management

Contents

1. Introduction 1

3. Regulatory and contractual requirements 2

3. Health and safety precautions. 2

4. Equipment and supplies 2

5. Procedures for managing radioactive wastes 3

Attachment A: Common radioactive materials 4

Attachment B: Common radioactive labels 5

Attachment C: Radioactive approval checklist 6

1. Introduction

This Program shall not accept radioactive materials under normal circumstances. When radioactive wastes are presented, this Program may choose to accept or reject those materials. This decision is important due to potential exposures and the high cost of disposal. If the material is accepted, this Program becomes the generator and is responsible for proper disposal. In the event radioactive waste is required to be managed, this SOP outlines a safe work environment for Facility staff and the general public.

This Program is better able to safely manage unwanted and unusable radioactive materials than the general public. This Program will manage radioactive materials on an emergency basis only for proper management and removal from public access. Only specially trained personnel shall handle radioactive materials.

Radioactive waste may include items generated from radioactive sources (e.g., gas chromatographs, well logging, moisture density devices, smoke detectors, thorium mantles, lock illuminators). These materials also include items which have become radioactive through exposure to neutron radiation. This waste typically consists of contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or equipment (e.g., shoe covers and clothing, wiping rags, mops, filters, reactor water treatment residues, tools, luminous dials, medical tubes, swabs, injection needles, syringes, source salts). The radioactivity can range from just above background levels found in nature to very highly radioactive levels (e.g., parts from inside the reactor vessel in a nuclear power plant).

2. Regulatory and contractual requirements

The proper management of hazardous waste (HW) is governed by the requirements established in the HHW program and state agency contract (see Exhibit A, part C). For immediate or crucial radioactive information, contact the state-contracted HW disposal company, the local Haz Mat Team, appropriate authority, or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at: 301-415-8200, Fax: 301-415-2234, opa@ or or the State Duty Officer at 800-422-0798. For more information, see pca.state.mn.us/publications/w-hw3-35.pdf

3. Health and safety precautions

3.1 This Program shall have a written training program, which includes radioactive material recognition and management procedures relevant to job duties, including emergency contingency plan implementation; see SOP 2.1 AWARE.

3.2 When a radioactive material is identified, precautions for Facility staff and the public’s overall health and safety shall immediately be addressed. Avoid potential exposures if radioactive levels are unknown.

3.3 The Program shall not respond or attempt to control situations requiring assistance beyond the capabilities of Facility staff. This Program shall make agreements with appropriate response teams to use in an emergency.

3.4 Unique environmental conditions and the judgment of experienced Facility staff shall determine the PPE level required for each specific situation; see SOP 2.4 Personal Protective Equipment.

3.5 Take immediate action if danger threatens staff and/or property. Keep alert for suspicious activities or behaviors in accordance with the program’s DOT Security Plan; see SOP 4.15 Security Issues.

4. Equipment and supplies

A Geiger counter is the primary method used to detect levels of radioactivity being emitted. Radiation detection equipment varies based on specific radioactive levels and types being measured. Maintain detection equipment according to manufacturer specifications. [List this Program’s available radiation detection equipment, if any.]

5. Procedures for managing radioactive wastes

5.1 Waste identification

5.1.1 Visually inspect all incoming containers to determine if the contents are potentially radioactive.

5.1.2 Staff shall attempt to identify the party responsible for generating the waste. Attempt to learn any information about the radioactive material from the participant bringing in the waste. When appropriate, refer the generator of the waste to appropriate regulatory authorities (local police or sheriff, MPCA, or Facility regulatory program).

5.1.3 Look for markings, key words, or labels indicating “Radioactive.” Laboratory mixtures or solutions containing uranium or thorium may be radioactive. For a list of common radioactive materials; see Attachment A of this SOP. Any markings indicating radioactive materials require immediate attention. Be alert for the following markings:

• Trefoil (radioactive symbol), see Attachment B of this SOP.

• Specific Department of Transportation nomenclature; Low Specific Activity (LSA) or Surface Contaminated Objects (SCO)

• Uranium

• Thorium

• Elements followed by a number (e.g., polonium-210, radium-226, H-3)

• Radionuclides and/or activity may also be listed on the container and the nomenclature may differ (cesium-137 may be written as 137-Cs, Cs-137, or 137Cs)

• Radionuclides activity levels may be listed in:

1. Quantity – Curie, milliCurie (mCi), microCurie (μCi), or

2. Exposure rate – Roentgen per hour (R/hr, mR/hr, μR/hr) or

3. Rem – rem/hr, mrem/hr, μrem/hr

5.2 Determine the radioactive level

5.2.1 Avoid handling the material and do not disturb the container until preliminary evaluation is completed. Treat suspect material as if it is radioactive and limit the number of staff near immediate area of suspected radioactive materials.

5.2.2 If detection equipment is available and staff is properly trained in its use, follow the directions contained in the manufacturer’s operation manual to determine the radioactivity level.

5.3 Securing radioactive material

5.3.1 Staff shall ensure proper management of the materials and/or situations on a case-by-case basis. If radioactive materials are inadvertently received, immediately contact the State Duty Officer. They may instruct Facility staff to contact the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, local hazmat team or the state-contracted HW disposal company for further direction.

5.3.2 If a potentially radioactive material is discovered, evacuate all persons from the immediate area until further help or investigation has been completed. For a list of common radioactive materials see Attachment A of this SOP.

5.3.3 If the suspected radioactive material has to be moved, have the participant gently remove it and place in secondary containment or in a specifically staged area away from staff and traffic until radioactive levels are determined and/or proper authorities are notified.

5.3.4 Radioactive materials require pre-approval for disposal with the state-contracted HW disposal company and may not be lab packed with other wastes. Use the appropriate disposal form as provided by the contractor or see Attachment C of this SOP.

5.3.5 Radioactive waste received at an event or management Facility shall be segregated from other waste and properly managed prior to transport.

Attachment A

Common radioactive materials

Please use the following list for general guidance only.

|Name (synonym) | |

|Cesium-137 (Cs-137, 137Cs) |Commonly used in various sources. |

|Cobalt-60 (Co-60, 60Co) |Used in various sources. |

|Nickel-63 (Ni-63, 63Ni) |Used in electron capture devices for gas chromatographs. |

|Hydrogen-3 (H-3, 3H, tritium) |Used in exit signs and other sources. |

|Thorium (Th-232, 232Th) |Natural radionuclide used in some sources and old gas mantles. |

|Uranium (U-238, 238U, U-Nat, EU(%), DU, yellowcake) |Natural radionuclide unless processed, used in various applications, including |

|Uranyl nitrate (common in school labs) |old ceramic glazing, sources, and counterweights. |

|Americium-241 (Am-241, 241Am) |Used in smoke detectors and other sources, including moisture density gauges. |

|Phosphorous-32 (P-32, 32P) |Used in laboratory research. |

|Iodine-123 (I-123, 123I) |Used in medical treatments. |

|Iodine-131 (I-131, 131I) |Used in medical treatments. |

|Smoke detectors |May emit low amounts of radioactive materials; place unwanted smoke detectors in |

| |with solid waste or trash, or return to the manufacturer. |

Attachment B

Common radioactive labels

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DOT Package Labels

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DOT Radioactive (Class 7) Placard

[pic]

Attachment C

Radioactive approval checklist

Date: _________

_____ 1. Waste # ______________

_____ 2. Waste completed and signed

_____ 3. MSDS current and legible

_____ 4. Sample, if used or process waste

_____ 5. DOT UN number ____________

For devices:

_____ 6. Diagram, schematic, drawing, photo of device.

Note: When taking a photo, place a ruler or other common object next to the device to assist with size/scale determination, e.g., a penny next to a blasting cap.

_____ 7. Gross weight of each device _______________________

_____ 8. Net radioactive weight of device _________________

(amount of radioactive in device in pounds)

_____ 9. Size of each device ___________

_____ 10. Number of devices per container ________________

_____ 11. Radioisotope date and activity (reading) ________________

_____ 12. Radioisotope model # and manufacturer ________________

_____ 13. Radioisotope equipment approximate dimensions ________________

Additional information:

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________

• Allow two weeks for a paperwork approval, three weeks for a sample approval.

• Radioactive waste disposal must be scheduled three weeks in advance.

• The load must arrive at 6 a.m. on the scheduled date.

• Changes in the schedule date must be approved by state-contracted HW disposal company.

• Loads shall not be scheduled on Fridays.

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