NIA Intramural Research Program
Summer Program |
 |
| Radiological Emergencies |
| In the event of a radiological spill: |
- Notify personnel in the room/area of the spill.
- Confine the contamination, using absorbent material.
- Remove contaminated clothing and shoes before going to a clean area.
- Survey yourself and others to ensure no spread of contamination.
- After hours, contact GRC Security. Ask for Radiation Safety assistance. During business hours, contact the Division of Radiation Safety contractor, at 301-435-7953 or if no answer, 301-496-5774.
- Wash the parts of the body that may have come in contact with radioactive material.
- Survey again to ensure that no contamination is present.
|
| Response Actions: Skin Contamination: |
- Serious Injuries - Do not decontaminate before seeking medical assistance. Contact Radiation Safety and individual's supervisor.
- Minor Injuries - Wash affected skin with soap and water.
- Remove gloves and all potentially contaminated clothing.
- Personnel assisting should wear gloves and put on a fresh pair of gloves after clothing removal.
- Call the Division of Radiation Safety, 301-496-5774.
- If after hours contact GRC Security, 410-558-8119 and ask for Radiation Safety Assistance.
- Notify individual's supervisor.
|
| Clean-Up Actions: Large Spill - Greater than 1 millicurie; Larger than 10 square feet; Volume greater than 1 liter: |
- Notify the Division of Radiation Safety, 301-496-5774. After hours contact GRC Security, 410-558-8119 and ask for Radiation Safety Assistance.
- Place absorbent material over the spill to keep from spreading.
- Notify others in area and limit access to the spill area.
- Monitor yourself and others for contamination. Decontaminate immediately if any contamination is found.
- Label the boundaries of the spill area with Caution Radioactive Material tape.
- Gather cleaning supplies such as moistened paper towels and scouring powder or any commercially available detergent. DO NOT USE HOUSEKEEPER's Equipment and Supplies.
- Wear lab coat, gloves (and shoe covers if necessary) while decontaminating the spill area.
- Minimize the volume of water used to decontaminate.
- Begin cleaning at the edges of the spill and work toward the center (lowest to highest).
- Dispose of all cleanup materials as radioactive waste.
- Resurvey yourself for contamination, including bottom of shoes, to ensure that no spreading of contamination has occurred.
- Smear the area to ensure that removable contamination is below 2200 dpm/100 cm² in a restricted area or below 220 dpm/100 cm² in an unrestricted area.
- Document spill clean up on a monthly contamination survey form (NIH 88-12).
|
|
|
