Radioactive Hazard SymbolRadiation Safety

Radiation Safety Frequently Asked Questions

Where is your office located?

The Division of Research Safety is located in the Environmental Health & Safety Building at 101 South Gregory Street. It is near the corner of Springfield Avenue and Gregory Street.

I would like to begin using radioactive materials in my lab. What do I need to do?

In order to use radioactive materials at UIUC, your laboratory will need a radiation permit. Faculty members wishing to obtain a campus radiation permit should contact the campus Radiation Safety Officer, David Scherer at 244-7605 or via email, to obtain information and materials.

How do I order radioactive materials?

When ordering radioactive materials:

  1. Check your laboratory's radiation permit. Ensure that you are authorized to possess the radioisotope that you are ordering and also ensure that the amount of activity you are ordering will not cause your laboratory to exceed its possession limit of that radioisotope. If you need to add a radioisotope to your radiation permit or increase your possesion limit(s), contact the Radiation Safety Section.
  2. Radioactive materials must be purchased via a University purchase requisition. Departmental purchase orders (DPOs) will not be accepted for radioisotope orders.
  3. Information that must be included on the University purchase requisition can be found in the Purchase, Receipt, and Transfer section of the Radiation Safety Manual.
  4. All radioactive materials must be shipped via FedEx to:

    Radiation Safety Section
    University of Illinois
    Division of Research Safety
    101 South Gregory Street
    Urbana, IL 61801

How do I dispose of radioactive waste?

Guidelines for disposal of solid, liquid and animal carcass radioactive waste can be found on the UIUC Radioactive Waste Management page located at http://www.drs.uiuc.edu/rss/factsheets/.

When will my radioactive waste be picked up?

To request pickup of radioactive waste, prepare the waste according to the instructions on the UIUC Radioactive Waste Management page, then submit a request to have your waste picked up by completing the UIUC Online Radioactive Waste Pick Up Request Form.

Radioactive waste pickups are generally performed on Tuesdays. We will try, but cannot guarantee, pickup of your waste within two weeks of your request.

When will my radioisotopes be delivered?

Deliveries of radioisotopes are generally performed every weekday afternoon except for University holidays.

All packages received are delivered the same day that they are received if possible; we do not hold packages if can be helped.

If you did not receive a package that you were expecting, call the vendor and ask to have the package tracked as it may still be in transit and has not yet arrived on campus.

My geiger counter/survey instrument isn't working or is acting funny. What should I do?

If your geiger counter/survey instrument isn't working or is acting strangely, try the following:

  1. Replace the batteries in the meter.
  2. Check to see if the speaker is turned on, and if applicable, change the speaker batteries.
  3. Check to ensure that the window of the probe is intact and unbroken.
  4. Disconnect, then reconnect the cable from the probe to the meter.
  5. If it still doesn't work, contact the Radiation Safety Section for assistance.

What is the proper procedure for closing out a laboratory if it is being moved/vacated?

When moving/vacating a radioisotope laboratory:

  1. Read the campus policy regarding contamination and abandoned radioactive materials.
  2. Transfer unused radioactive material or prepare for disposal.
  3. Prepare radioactive waste for disposal and request pickup.
  4. Survey for radioactive contamination. Decontaminate if necessary.
  5. Remove or deface all radiation symbols inside the laboratory.
  6. Contact the Radiation Safety Section to schedule a final survey and closeout.

What is the procedure for transferring radioisotopes between researchers?

To transfer radioisotopes to another researcher, consult the Transfer of Radioisotopes section of the Radiation Safety Manual.

Do you offer user training?

The primary responsibility for worker safety training rests on the laboratory's principal investigator. However, the Radiation Safety Section is available to provide assistance with worker safety training to principal investigators.

A number of basic radiation safety training seminars covering open source radioactive materials, analytical x-ray machines and lasers are offered by the Radiation Safety Section in the Fall and Spring semesters.

The Radiation Safety Section also provides guest lectures for science and engineering courses upon request by the instructor.

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