Issue 25, February 2008

Radioactive materials are commonly used in facilities with:

• research;

• medical; and

•  industrial applications.

Minor Spills and accidents are common occurrences in laboratories and can lead to equipment, work surfaces and cupboards becoming contaminated. If known contamination occurs, you must act immediately. If demolition or building works are proposed how you act is determined by:

• the extent;

• the type of radioactive emissions; and

• radio-nuclide/s involved.

Determination of Contamination

For many isotopes an initial assessment of contamination can be made using direct monitoring instruments such as a hand-held Dose Monitor or Geiger-Mueller Detector. However, these detectors are not effective when dealing with low energy beta (b) emitters like S-35, C-14 and completely ineffective with H-3 (tritium). To accurately determine the extent of surface contamination on equipment or from spills, wipe testing followed by analysis with a Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) is required, followed by accurate quantification of activity by surface area and by mass.

Decontamination of Radiation

After determining the extent of contamination, decontamination is the next step. Decontamination consultants, such as CETEC, are required to have a DEC radiation license to advise you of the options to resume use of your contaminated area or to reduce the contamination to enable disposal. Surface radioactivity can be reduced by more than half, using CETEC's decontamination methods.

Disposal or Storage of Contaminated Waste

Did you know, that you need to classify materials such as bench-tops, floor tiles and equipment as required under the Radiation Control Act?  Correct classification can mean that some materials do not have to be stored by the owner.

Cetec is licensed and experienced in radiation contamination risk assessment and management. To talk with us regarding your responsible measurement, decontamination or classification of your radioactive waste, please contact us on (02) 9966 9211 or (03) 9544-9111.

To read other related articles
Reducing Decontamination Risks in Demolition Projects
Decontamination Issues in Demolition Project Management
 

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