Topic

General Responsibilities

When to Amend a Permit

Record Keeping Responsibilities

Radiation Monitoring Requirements

Personnel Dosimetry Requirements

Inventory Control of Radiation Sources

Radioactive Waste Management

General Responsibilities

The Permit Holder has the primary responsibility for the safe use of the radioactive materials or x-ray producing equipment in their possession. The Permit Holder also assumes the responsibility for maintaining regulatory compliance with the applicable rules and regulations governing the materials and equipment acquired and used in conjunction with their permit.

As an indication of the acceptance of these responsibilities, the Permit Holder signs the following certification on the Permit Application:

"I certify that the use of the radioactive materials or x-ray producing equipment listed in this application will be used in compliance with all applicable rules, regulations and policies of the United States Department of Agriculture."

When to Amend a Permit

Permit Holders must amend their permit when any of the following conditions occur:

- When individuals listed on their permit as Associate Users no longer work with radiation sources under their supervision;

- When new individuals want to work with radiation sources under their supervision;

- When significant changes are contemplated in their research protocol, such as the addition of new radioisotopes, or major changes in the scope of use of radioactive materials;

- The acquisition, transfer, or disposal of a sealed source or x-ray producing equipment;

- A change in laboratory rooms or other space where radioactive materials or x-ray producing equipment are used or stored.

Permit amendment requests can be sent to the Radiation Safety Staff through the regular mail, E-mail, or by fax. Written documentation of the request is required: no telephone requests for amendments will be accepted.

Record Keeping Responsibilities

Permit Holders are responsible for maintaining records to document compliance with regulations. This includes the following types of records:

- Radiation Source permits, application and amendment correspondence; and

(Note: Tab 8 in this Handbook is reserved for this purpose)

- Radioisotope receipt, use and disposal records;

- Sealed source leak tests;

- Surveys for contamination and radiation levels; and

- Instrument calibration;

Radiation Monitoring Requirements

Permit Holders are responsible for the performance of various surveys in their laboratory. This includes:

- Weekly or Monthly laboratory contamination surveys;

- Receipt surveys of radioactive materials packages (if required); and

- Leak tests of sealed sources.

Personnel Dosimetry Requirements

The Radiation Safety Staff will determine, in consultation with the Permit Holder and the LRPO, whether or not individuals working in laboratories need or require personnel dosimetry. This can include:

- Whole body dosimeters such as film badges or quarterly TLDs;

- Ring dosimeters for fingers; and

- Bioassay testing of individuals using milliCurie quantities of iodine-125, phosphorus-32, and hydrogen-3 or other radioisotopes.

Inventory Control of Radiation Sources

Permit Holders are responsible for maintaining an accurate inventory of all radiation sources in their possession. This includes unsealed radioactive materials, sealed sources, check and calibration sources, and x-ray producing equipment.

Radioactive Waste Management

Permit Holders are responsible for minimizing the generation of radioactive waste, and for the proper management of radioactive waste generated, collected, and stored in areas under their control.