RADIATION AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS RADIATION AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS SAFETY TRAININGSAFETY TRAINING

FORFORNON-USER EMPLOYEESNON-USER EMPLOYEES

Department of Environmental Health and Department of Environmental Health and SafetySafety

New York Medical CollegeNew York Medical College

. .

This training and quiz are required for This training and quiz are required for those individuals who may encounter those individuals who may encounter radioactive materials but DO NOT use radioactive materials but DO NOT use them in the course of their work.them in the course of their work.

Why do I need this Why do I need this training?training?

To ensure that all members of the NYMC To ensure that all members of the NYMC community are aware of the potential hazards community are aware of the potential hazards associated with radiation and radioactivityassociated with radiation and radioactivity

To become aware of the New York State To become aware of the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the College Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the College rules and regulationsrules and regulations

To learn how to keep your exposures: To learn how to keep your exposures: As Low As Reasonably Achievable As Low As Reasonably Achievable

(ALARA). (ALARA). This training will:This training will:

Fulfill Part 16 requirements of the New York CodeFulfill Part 16 requirements of the New York Code Ensure personnel are aware of radiation hazards and Ensure personnel are aware of radiation hazards and

contamination control methodscontamination control methods Inform workers of their rights and responsibilitiesInform workers of their rights and responsibilities Inform workers of NYMC policiesInform workers of NYMC policies

What are we learning What are we learning about…?about…?

Upon completion ofUpon completion of this course, the students shall be able to:this course, the students shall be able to:

Recognize the “Radiation” symbolRecognize the “Radiation” symbol Recognize areas that may contain radioactive materials Recognize areas that may contain radioactive materials Identify the difference between Radiation and ContaminationIdentify the difference between Radiation and Contamination Describe background radiationDescribe background radiation Describe the potential long term and short term risks associated Describe the potential long term and short term risks associated

with radiation exposurewith radiation exposure Areas posted with the Radiation Symbol:Areas posted with the Radiation Symbol: ► ► Identify the rules to followIdentify the rules to follow ► ► Identify the steps to take in the event:Identify the steps to take in the event: ΔΔ You discover a fire or medical emergency You discover a fire or medical emergency ΔΔ You discover a spill You discover a spill ΔΔ You have to repair or move facilities or You have to repair or move facilities or

equipment labeled equipment labeled with the Radiation symbol with the Radiation symbol

NOTE: Personnel who receive this training are NOT NOTE: Personnel who receive this training are NOT ALLOWED to use ALLOWED to use radioactive materials. radioactive materials.

What does the RADIATION What does the RADIATION Symbol look like?Symbol look like?

All radioactive All radioactive materials and radiation materials and radiation generating devices generating devices must be labeled with must be labeled with the universal symbol the universal symbol for radiationfor radiation

Only authorized Only authorized individuals who are individuals who are properly trained should properly trained should handle materials or handle materials or devices with this devices with this radiation symbolradiation symbol

What is Radiation?What is Radiation?

RadiationRadiation is is energyenergy emitted from a substance. There emitted from a substance. There are two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing. are two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing. Everyday examples of non-ionizing radiation areEveryday examples of non-ionizing radiation are

Microwaves used to cook foodMicrowaves used to cook food Radio wavesRadio waves TelevisionTelevision Light Light

Ionizing Radiation Ionizing Radiation means alpha particles (means alpha particles (αα), beta ), beta ((ββ), gamma (), gamma (γγ) and X-rays (among others) that are ) and X-rays (among others) that are capable of producing ions. These types of energy can capable of producing ions. These types of energy can cause chemical changes to living things. Large cause chemical changes to living things. Large exposures to ionizing radiation may damage cells or exposures to ionizing radiation may damage cells or tissues. Real-life examples of ionizing radiation are X-tissues. Real-life examples of ionizing radiation are X-ray machines and radioisotopes used in biomedical ray machines and radioisotopes used in biomedical research. research.

What is Contamination?What is Contamination?

ContaminationContamination is radioactive material in a location is radioactive material in a location where it is not desiredwhere it is not desired Lab bench, door knobs, telephone, computer, Lab bench, door knobs, telephone, computer,

offices, etc.offices, etc.

Loose Contamination, like dust, can be easily removedLoose Contamination, like dust, can be easily removed

Fixed contamination is embedded in the material’s Fixed contamination is embedded in the material’s surface and is more difficult to remove.surface and is more difficult to remove.

What is an What is an “Occupational Dose”?“Occupational Dose”?

Occupational exposure or doseOccupational exposure or dose is the amount of is the amount of ionizing radiation received by individuals ionizing radiation received by individuals from their from their assigned duties during their normal course of assigned duties during their normal course of employmentemployment. . Individuals who receive or have the potential to Individuals who receive or have the potential to

receive an occupational exposure (dose) are receive an occupational exposure (dose) are considered occupationally exposed and subject to considered occupationally exposed and subject to NYSDOH’s Occupational exposure (dose) limitsNYSDOH’s Occupational exposure (dose) limits

Doses received from Doses received from background radiation background radiation from from nature, medical examinations and treatments, or as nature, medical examinations and treatments, or as members of the public are not considered members of the public are not considered occupational exposures.occupational exposures.

What is a radiation dose ?What is a radiation dose ?

A A radiation doseradiation dose is an amount of ionizing is an amount of ionizing radiation that is absorbed by your body.radiation that is absorbed by your body.

State and Federal regulations limit radiation State and Federal regulations limit radiation doses to members of the general public or doses to members of the general public or non-radiation workersnon-radiation workers to to 100 millirem per 100 millirem per yearyear from NYMC operations from NYMC operations

State and Federal regulations limit radiation State and Federal regulations limit radiation doses to radiation workersdoses to radiation workers to 5000 millirem to 5000 millirem per yearper year from NYMC operations from NYMC operations

Declared Pregnant Worker

Declaration of a pregnancy is voluntary and is accomplished by completing a Declaration of Pregnancy Form available on the EHS website or through the office (x4448). You must also review Regulatory Guide 8.13 – Instruction Concerning Prenatal Radiation Exposure.

Your dose will be limited to 10% of the normal occupational limits during pregnancy. This will result in a 500 mrem dose limit for the fetus.

Pregnancy Policy During certain stages of development, the

embryo/fetus is believed to be more sensitive to radiation damage than adults (rapidly dividing and undifferentiated cells are more sensitive to radiation damage).

If you are considering becoming pregnant, you should contact the RSO for information on policies, risks and recommendations regarding exposure to radiation during pregnancy.

You may also wish to formally declare your pregnancy for radiation protection purposes. If you become pregnant and are working with or around radioactive material or radiation producing equipment, you should also inform your supervisor.

Natural Background Natural Background RadiationRadiation

EXPOSURE LIMITSEXPOSURE LIMITS

BackgroundBackground Background varies depending upon the altitude and ground and building materials.Background varies depending upon the altitude and ground and building materials. In Westchester, the annual dose received from background is 360 mrem/yrIn Westchester, the annual dose received from background is 360 mrem/yr

DOSE (mR/yr) DOSE (mR/yr) SOURCESOURCE 0.3 ‑ 1 0.3 ‑ 1 watching TV for 4 hours daily at 12 feet (watching TV for 4 hours daily at 12 feet (x‑ray emission from screen)x‑ray emission from screen) 4 4 reading glossy magazines for 1 hr/day (reading glossy magazines for 1 hr/day (uranium and potassium in clay uranium and potassium in clay

paper coating) paper coating) 5 5 eating 1 banana per day (eating 1 banana per day (potassium (K‑40) in banana)potassium (K‑40) in banana) 10 10 living in a brick house instead of a wood one (living in a brick house instead of a wood one (potassium,potassium, uranium and uranium and

thorium in clay in the bricks)thorium in clay in the bricks) 70 70 living in Denver instead of at sea level (living in Denver instead of at sea level (increased background radiation increased background radiation

due to elevation and igneous rocks) due to elevation and igneous rocks) 100100 flying ~5000 miles per month (flying ~5000 miles per month (reduced atmospheric radiation shielding)reduced atmospheric radiation shielding) 100 ‑ 200 100 ‑ 200 radon gas inhalation (national average) radon gas inhalation (national average) 100 ‑ 200 100 ‑ 200 foods and fertilizers (foods and fertilizers (naturally-occurring potassium(K‑40) and naturally-occurring potassium(K‑40) and

uranium inuranium in super-phosphate fertilizerssuper-phosphate fertilizers 150 150 medical technicians (yearly average)medical technicians (yearly average) 170 170 flight crews (flight crews (reduced atmospheric radiation shielding)reduced atmospheric radiation shielding) 2000‑5000 2000‑5000 dose to lungs – smoking 1 pack of cigarettes/day dose to lungs – smoking 1 pack of cigarettes/day polonium (Po-210) polonium (Po-210)

and lead and lead (Pb-210) from U decay series(Pb-210) from U decay series from U decay seriesfrom U decay series

Radiation RiskRadiation Risk

All radiation exposure is accompanied by some All radiation exposure is accompanied by some risk. risk.

The lower the exposure, the lower the risk.The lower the exposure, the lower the risk.

Keep exposure to radiation Keep exposure to radiation ALARAALARA – –

“ “AAs s LLow ow AAs s RReasonably easonably AAchievable.”chievable.”

Acute Exposure RiskAcute Exposure Risk

Acute Exposure – Relatively high exposure over a Acute Exposure – Relatively high exposure over a short timeshort time

Threshold for any effect - 100,000 mremThreshold for any effect - 100,000 mrem Flu-like symptoms that self resolve in a few daysFlu-like symptoms that self resolve in a few days (nausea, vomiting, malaise, headache, etc)(nausea, vomiting, malaise, headache, etc)

LD 50/30 – 500,000 mrem (without medical LD 50/30 – 500,000 mrem (without medical treatment), 50% of the exposed will die in 30 daystreatment), 50% of the exposed will die in 30 days

Chronic Exposure RiskChronic Exposure Risk

Increases likelihood of cancerIncreases likelihood of cancer

US Cancer rate is approximately 25%US Cancer rate is approximately 25%

Each 1000 mrem of exposure increases chance of Each 1000 mrem of exposure increases chance of cancer by 0.03% cancer by 0.03%

(BIER V, United Nations)(BIER V, United Nations)

How do we measure Radiation How do we measure Radiation Dose ?Dose ?

We measure the dose received We measure the dose received by radiation workers by reading by radiation workers by reading their Dosimetry (radiation their Dosimetry (radiation badges) each monthbadges) each month

Two types of dosimeters are Two types of dosimeters are available: a badge and a ring.available: a badge and a ring.

Wear the badge face-out Wear the badge face-out between your neck and waistbetween your neck and waist

Only wear the badge issued to Only wear the badge issued to youyou

Only wear the badge while at Only wear the badge while at work work

Wear the ring on the index Wear the ring on the index finger of your finger of your non-dominant non-dominant handhand

Wear the ring with the barcode Wear the ring with the barcode facing inward (towards your facing inward (towards your palm).palm).

How do I keep my exposure How do I keep my exposure low?low?

Each Each IndividualIndividual (this means YOU) is responsible (this means YOU) is responsible to ensure that exposures are kept to ensure that exposures are kept As Low As As Low As Reasonably AchievableReasonably Achievable ( (ALARAALARA))

Reduce Reduce TimeTime in radiological area in radiological area

Increase Increase DistanceDistance to radioactive to radioactive materialsmaterials

Use Use ShieldingShielding between you and between you and sources of radiationsources of radiation

What Rules Should I What Rules Should I Follow When Working In the Follow When Working In the

Labs?Labs? The risk of receiving a radiation overexposure from The risk of receiving a radiation overexposure from

work practices on campus is minimal. The risk is no work practices on campus is minimal. The risk is no greater than other common activities such as using greater than other common activities such as using power tools, climbing a ladder or using electricity. By power tools, climbing a ladder or using electricity. By following a few basic rules, you can ensure you work following a few basic rules, you can ensure you work safely while in areas posted with the radiation symbol:safely while in areas posted with the radiation symbol: Follow Follow allall room postings carefully. room postings carefully. Announce yourself and state your purpose when entering the Announce yourself and state your purpose when entering the

lab.lab. If no one is present in the lab, contact the Principal If no one is present in the lab, contact the Principal

Investigator or lab supervisor.Investigator or lab supervisor. Ask lab personnel which areas of the lab, if any, should be Ask lab personnel which areas of the lab, if any, should be

avoided.avoided. Do not handle anything labeled with the Radiation symbol Do not handle anything labeled with the Radiation symbol

(unless directed by Radiation Safety staff or the Principal (unless directed by Radiation Safety staff or the Principal Investigator).Investigator).

What Should I Do If What Should I Do If Equipment needsEquipment needs

Repair or Service? Repair or Service?

Call Radiation Safety: x4078Call Radiation Safety: x4078

You should never attempt to repair any equipment. You should never attempt to repair any equipment. Any equipment with a radiation symbol must be Any equipment with a radiation symbol must be

surveyed and declared free of contamination by surveyed and declared free of contamination by Radiation Safety before repair or service can begin. Radiation Safety before repair or service can begin. This includes (but is not exclusive to):This includes (but is not exclusive to): All structures (tables, sinks, fume hoods, etc.) All structures (tables, sinks, fume hoods, etc.)

potentially contaminated with radioactive materials potentially contaminated with radioactive materials will be labeled with the Radiation Symbol.will be labeled with the Radiation Symbol.

What Should I Do if What Should I Do if There is an Emergency?There is an Emergency?

Call Radiation Safety: x4078Call Radiation Safety: x4078

Injury - Injury - If there is a personal injury, follow normal If there is a personal injury, follow normal emergency procedures and emergency procedures and DISREGARDDISREGARD any any concern about radiation exposure. The potential for concern about radiation exposure. The potential for receiving any measurable radiation dose is minimal.receiving any measurable radiation dose is minimal.

Render First Aid if trained and ableRender First Aid if trained and able - Medical - Medical Attention is ALWAYS the FIRST priority over Attention is ALWAYS the FIRST priority over exposure control.exposure control.

What Should I Do If What Should I Do If There is an Emergency?There is an Emergency?

Call Security: x4226Call Security: x4226 Call Radiation Safety: x4078Call Radiation Safety: x4078

Spills - Spills - If there is a spill in a radiation laboratory If there is a spill in a radiation laboratory or any spill that involves radioactive material, do or any spill that involves radioactive material, do not attempt to clean up the spill yourself.not attempt to clean up the spill yourself. Secure the areaSecure the area Contact Radiation Safety (or Security on Contact Radiation Safety (or Security on

weekends or off-hours)weekends or off-hours)

What are MyWhat are My RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES?RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES?

NY State Notice to EmployeesNY State Notice to EmployeesStandards for Protection Against Standards for Protection Against

RadiationRadiationRIGHTSRIGHTS Periodic Training providedPeriodic Training provided Annual exposure report provided upon requestAnnual exposure report provided upon request Termination exposure report provided upon requestTermination exposure report provided upon request

RESPONSIBILITIESRESPONSIBILITIES Keeping exposure As Low As Reasonably AchievableKeeping exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable Follow NYMC and NYSDOH rules and regulationsFollow NYMC and NYSDOH rules and regulations Observe the policies and procedures for your own Observe the policies and procedures for your own

protection and safetyprotection and safety

Further InfoFurther Info

For more information contact:For more information contact:

Sarah Cottet Sarah Cottet Radiation Safety Officer , Radiation Safety Officer , x3668x3668

Patricio Villalon Patricio Villalon Environmental/Radiation Environmental/Radiation

Specialist, x3292Specialist, x3292