Radioactive Waste

Waste containing radioactive materials generated at UMES are regulated as class A low-level radioactive waste.  This waste includes source materials, special nuclear materials, and by-product materials as defined by the Atomic Energy Act.  Furthermore, in Maryland, naturally occurring and accelerator-produced radioactive materials (NARM) are regulated in the same manner as other classes of radioactive materials.

Any waste that contains, or is contaminated with, radioactive material:

  • Liquid scintillation counting fluids and vials
  • Animal carcasses and excreta
  • Experimental or clean-up materials contaminated with radioactive materials

Packaging and Disposal

General Instructions
  1. Review disposal procedures with the Radiation Safety Officer in the planning stage of your experiment.
  2. Segregate wastes by material and isotope according to the matrix below.
  3. Apply a “Caution-Radioactive Material” label or tag to each waste container include the following information: Generator name, Building and Room number, Campus phone number, Isotopes and activity, Date, Container contents.
  4. All radioactive waste containers must remain closed unless waste is being added to the container.
  5. Never place radioactive waste in corridors or hallways!
  6. Complete and submit a Hazardous and Regulated Waste Removal Request Form to EHS for disposal.
Liquid Radioactive Waste
  1. Use a 20 liter plastic carboy.
  2. Place the carboy in a leak-proof secondary containment tub.
  3. Identify organic solvents and other hazardous chemicals on the label or tag (following Chemical Waste labeling instructions).
  4. Do not fill the carboy to the top.  Leave 2-3 inches of space at the top for safe handling.  Ensure that the cap is tightly screwed onto the carboy.
  5. Follow General Instructions.
Dry or Solid Radioactive Waste
  1. Deface all tape, decals, labels, and source containers of the word “Radioactive” and radioactive symbols.
  2. Place waste in drum separately according to material and isotope.
  3. Follow General Instructions.
Liquid Scintillation Vials
  1. Place capped and uncrated vials in a labeled and lined 30 gallon drum.
  2. Complete the container contents label and list the brand of scintillation fluid.
  3. Follow General Instructions.
Sharps (needles, syringes, scalpel blades, etc.)
  1. Place in designated “sharps” container, according to isotope.
  2. Complete the container contents label.
  3. When 3/4 full, close and tape the container securely. Place the “sharps” container in the appropriate Dry Solid container for removal and disposal.
  4. Follow General Instructions.
Small Animal Carcasses and Tissues
  1. Place the material in a clear plastic bag.
  2. Twist the bag at the top, bend twisted portion to form a loop and seal the loop with tape.
  3. Place the bag in a separate plastic bag and repeat step 2.
  4. Affix a “Caution – Radioactive Material” label to the bag.
  5. Freeze the bag until pick-up.
  6. Follow General Instructions.
Animal Bedding and Wastes
  1. Place the material in a plastic bag.
  2. Twist the bag at the top, bend twisted portion to form a loop and seal the loop with tape.
  3. Place the bag in a separate plastic bag and repeat step 2.
  4. Follow General Instructions.
Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) Segregation Matrix
  P-32, S-35, I-125 H-3 and C-14
Dry solid waste Store each isotope alone May be mixed in drum
Sharps Store each isotope alone in “sharps” container May be mixed in drum
Aqueous Liquid (no organics, metals, controlled hazardous substances) Isotopes may be mixed in carboy Isotopes may be mixed in carboy
Mixed Liquid (LLRW and controlled hazardous substances) Store each isotope alone May be mixed in drum
Biodegradable Scintillation Vials Store each isotope alone May be mixed in drum
Solvent-based Scintillation Vials Store each isotope alone May be mixed in drum
Animal / Pathological Waste Store each isotope alone May be mixed in drum
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