Answer to Question #1410 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

Our facility has three activated magnets that all have specific activities less than 0.02 uCi/gram. Total activities for each magnet are:

• 49.4 uCi ⁶⁰Co (3.51×10^-5 µCi/gm)
• 18.5 uCi ⁶⁰Co (3.77×10^-5 µCi/gm)
• 18.5 uCi ⁶⁰Co (3.77×10^-5 µCi/gm)

Do I have to treat these pieces as radioactive material? In other words, do I have to store them in a radioactive material area, label them as radioactive material, and include them on my source inventory since the quantity of ⁶⁰Co exceeds 1 µCi?

A

Assuming that the activation was by a reactor (not accelerator), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations would indicate that the material is an exempt concentration (5×10^-4 µCi/gm) and therefore exempt from the need for an NRC license IF individuals at this facility did not "introduce" the radioactivity into the "product" themselves (per 10 CFR 30.14). If the possessor of these activated materials did the "introduction" of the radioactivity into the magnets, then the material would need to be held under a license and controlled under the regulations (whether it is an NRC or Agreement State). These pieces could not be transferred to others "exempt" from licensing unless the distributor gets a license under 10 CFR 32.11 to make such distributions. The reason for the exempt distribution license is in part an attempt to keep people from disposing of contaminated items under the exempt concentration rule in 10 CFR Part 30. If, on the other hand, the activation was from an accelerator, the issue is a state one (since NRC does not have the authority to regulate machines, like accelerators), but I suspect that the states would have similar regulations. If you still have additional questions, write or contact your regional NRC office, Agreement State office, or state Radiation Control program. Cynthia Jones, PhD Senior Advisor for Materials US NRC