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19 July 2008

Answer to Question #5003 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Industrial Radiation — Industrial Applications

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

One of our customers has asked us to procure an americium-241 source with an activity of about 100-200 kBq and a californium-252 source with emissions of about 4 x 10⁴. I would like to know, if we decide to procure these radionuclides, what precautions we should take to protect our employees. I have been in contact with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and I understand we will need a license. However, the NRC could not offer any suggestions as to how to store or use these radionuclides. These will be used as a calibration/workability test for the electronic devices we will be manufacturing. There should be no direct contact between our employees and the sources. Our facility is not proficient in handling any type of radioactive material. Please let me know what we may need, i.e., lead room, lead aprons, etc.

In order to procure such sources you will require a Radioactive Material License from the state in which you are located or from the NRC if you live in a state that is not an "Agreement State." To obtain a Radioactive Material License you need to document your and your company's training, experience, and proficiency for handling such radioactive material. To start, you will most likely be required to complete and pass an approved one-week radiation safety officer (RSO) training course in order to be designated as the company's RSO. The answers to most, if not all, of your questions would be learned at this RSO training course.

Each employee who will work with or be near the radioactive material must attend and pass an approved shorter course for qualification as a radiation worker. Radiation badges for neutrons and gamma radiation would be required. If the sources of radioactive material are not "sealed sources," biological assays of the radiation workers would be required.

You can only release the radioactive sources to another company (your customers) who also have a similar Radioactive Material License to possess such radioactive material.

Your company must also have sufficient funds or financial backing for decontamination and decommissioning costs of the radioactive materials and your facilities, should the company cease to operate.

John P. Hageman, MS, CHP

Answer posted on 2 December 2005. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.