General Handling For Work With Radioisotopes
Preparation
- Clearly label containers, equipment, and areas for the handling of radioisotopes with radioactive labeling tape. The labeling tape can be obtained from your institution stockroom or through an appropriate vendor (link to our list of vendors). Minimize radioactive material work-space.
- Use absorbent material (benchcoat) and trays to confine spills and reduce the spread of potential contamination.
- Wear protective clothing. The minimum requirements include a laboratory coat, safety glasses and close-toed shoes. Wear disposable gloves, either single or double pair, depending on the radionuclide you are working with.
- Dedicate equipment such as pipettes and glassware to radioactivity work and avoid cross contamination.
Equipment / Supplies
- A Liquid Scintillation Counter for low energy beta radiation.
- Portable Survey Meter with appropriate probe(s).
- Disposable latex or plastic gloves.
- Lab coat, safety glasses, and close-toed shoes.
- Containers for radioactive waste.
- Pipettes dedicated to the use of your radionuclide.
- Safety glasses (to protect from splash and shield from beta radiation).
- Change your gloves often. Assume gloves are contaminated until proven otherwise. Do not leave the laboratory or touch things outside of the work space with potentially contaminated gloves. Remove gloves carefully from the inside out. Ensure that gloves are disposed of properly and wash hands immediately.
- Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or touch exposed areas of skin while working in a room where radioisotopes are handled. Be careful not to rub your eyes, scratch exposed areas of skin, or touch your hair when working with radioactive material.
- Use automatic or remote pipetting devices. NEVER pipette by mouth.
Contamination / Spill
- If skin contamination is detected, wash with mild soap and lukewarm water. Do not abrade the skin. If the contamination is not removed after two washings call the Radiation Protection Office.
Post-Work
- Promptly dispose of radioactive waste properly. Make a reasonable estimate of the amount of radioactivity in the waste and record on a radioactive waste tag.
- Lock-up and secure your radioactive stock solutions immediately after use.
- Survey yourself and work area for contamination with an appropriate survey meter. Decontaminate if necessary. Remove protective clothing and wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before leaving the laboratory.
- Participate in the bioassay program as requested by the Radiation Protection Office.
Protection of Hands
Every precaution should be taken to avoid getting radioactive isotopes on the hands. The hands should be kept at a safe distance from sources because even small sources will cause burns. Wear rubber gloves or paper when handling radioactive materials. After working with radioactive materials, the hands should be washed thoroughly for two or three minutes using plenty of soap. A check of the hands should be made with a monitoring instrument after washing and the hands should be washed again if necessary.
Cleaning of Glassware
Care in the cleaning of glassware is necessary. All vessels should be marked after use and placed apart from other equipment so that it can be given special attention in cleaning. Even after cleaning, glassware should be kept separate from other equipment.
Special Laboratory Clothing
In a biological laboratory where routine work is done with radioactive materials, it is good practice to have special laboratory coats or coveralls, rubbers or special shoes, and even special trousers and shirts, which are kept for use in the laboratories only. Rubber gloves should be worn while handling active materials which may give rise to contamination of the hands.
