RULES FOR DISPOSING WASTE
APPENDIX II
DISPOSING OF RADIACTIVE WASTES:
- Liquid radioactive wastes soluble in water must be disposed of by
pouring down the sink drain in the Radioactive Room (Room 154) and
flushing with water. Record the amount of material flushed. Be careful
not to exceed the following daily limits: 1 millicurie of C14, 10
millicuries of tritium, 100 microcuries of P32 or 1 millicurie of
S35.
- Living cultures must first be autoclaved in closed containers before
disposal.
- Liquid wastes accumulated in small volumes during experiment can
be stored in small glass containers (labeled radioactive and then
disposed of in the radioactive sink at the end of an experiment).
However, each investigator must dispose of her/his own wastes at
the end of the experiment and label all containers as to isotope,
amount, and investigator's name.
- Scintillation fluid must not be poured down the sink. Scintillation
vials should be put into steel barrels in Room 154 and pertinent information
added to the record.
DISPOSING OF SOLID RADIOACTIVE WASTES:
- It is each investigator's responsibility to dispose of all her/his
own radioactive wastes at the end of an experiment. Under NO conditions
should material be left in the lab or radioisotope room for extended
periods of time.
- All dry radioactive wastes containing tritium or C14 have to be
placed in a special drum that will eventually be discarded in a radioactive
waste disposal facility. In the interest of economy only contaminated
material should go into the drum, not regular uncontaminated trash.
Be sure to separate P32 a S35 , Cr51, and P33 for storage and decay.
When using H3 or C14 limit the user of bench covers or "diapers".
Radioactive contamination trays are available.
RADIOACTIVE DECONTAMINATION OF REUSABLE GLASSWARE
AND PLASTICS:
- Read general directions on "How to Use Isoclean or Count-Off".
- Make up 2% solution of Isoclean or Count-Off in water. Fill contaminated
glassware with this (after liquid radioactive wastes have been removed).
Cover and soak for 24 hours. Remove and rinse immediately and thoroughly in the sink.
- Remove glassware promptly and carry out normal washing procedure.
SPECIAL NOTES:
- If heavy residue adhered to glass is not removed by 2% Isoclean
Count-Off, a higher concentration should be used. A cleaning brush
may help.
- ISOCLEAN REMOVES RADIOACTIVE RESIDUE FROM GLASS AND PLASTIC SURFACES
AND GLASSWARE MUST BE RINSED COMPLETELY.
- Do not allow radioactive glassware to soak in Isoclean for extended
periods of time for the following reasons:
- The glass surfaces will be etched.
- The radioactive materials can read here.
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