RADIATION AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS SAFETY TRAINING FOR NON-USER EMPLOYEES

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RADIATION AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS SAFETY
TRAININGFORNON-USER EMPLOYEES

• Department of Environmental Health and Safety
• New York Medical College
• .

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• This training and quiz are required for those
  individuals who may encounter radioactive
  materials but DO NOT use them in the course of
  their work.

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Why do I need this training?

• To ensure that all members of the NYMC community
  are aware of the potential hazards associated
  with radiation and radioactivity
• To become aware of the New York State Department
  of Health (NYSDOH) and the College rules and
  regulations
• To learn how to keep your exposures As Low
  As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
• This training will
• Fulfill Part 16 requirements of the New York Code
• Ensure personnel are aware of radiation hazards
  and contamination control methods
• Inform workers of their rights and
  responsibilities
• Inform workers of NYMC policies

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What are we learning about?

• Upon completion of this course, the students
  shall be able to
• Recognize the Radiation symbol
• Recognize areas that may contain radioactive
  materials
• Identify the difference between Radiation and
  Contamination
• Describe background radiation
• Describe the potential long term and short term
  risks associated with radiation exposure
• Areas posted with the Radiation Symbol
• ? Identify the rules to follow
• ? Identify the steps to take in the event
• ? You discover a fire or medical emergency
• ? You discover a spill
• ? You have to repair or move facilities or
  equipment labeled with the Radiation
  symbol
• NOTE Personnel who receive this training are NOT
  ALLOWED to use radioactive materials.

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What does the RADIATION Symbol look like?

• All radioactive materials and radiation
  generating devices must be labeled with the
  universal symbol for radiation
• Only authorized individuals who are properly
  trained should handle materials or devices with
  this radiation symbol

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What is Radiation?

• Radiation is energy emitted from a substance.
  There are two types of radiation ionizing and
  non-ionizing.
• Everyday examples of non-ionizing radiation are
• Microwaves used to cook food
• Radio waves
• Television
• Light
• Ionizing Radiation means alpha particles (a),
  beta (ß), gamma (?) and X-rays (among others)
  that are capable of producing ions. These types
  of energy can cause chemical changes to living
  things. Large exposures to ionizing radiation
  may damage cells or tissues. Real-life examples
  of ionizing radiation are X-ray machines and
  radioisotopes used in biomedical research.

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What is Contamination?

• Contamination is radioactive material in a
  location where it is not desired
• Lab bench, door knobs, telephone, computer,
  offices, etc.
• Loose Contamination, like dust, can be easily
  removed
• Fixed contamination is embedded in the materials
  surface and is more difficult to remove.

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What is an Occupational Dose?

• Occupational exposure or dose is the amount of
  ionizing radiation received by individuals from
  their assigned duties during their normal course
  of employment.
• Individuals who receive or have the potential to
  receive an occupational exposure (dose) are
  considered occupationally exposed and subject to
  NYSDOHs Occupational exposure (dose) limits
• Doses received from background radiation from
  nature, medical examinations and treatments, or
  as members of the public are not considered
  occupational exposures.

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What is a radiation dose ?

• A radiation dose is an amount of ionizing
  radiation that is absorbed by your body.
• State and Federal regulations limit radiation
  doses to members of the general public or
  non-radiation workers to 100 millirem per year
  from NYMC operations
• State and Federal regulations limit radiation
  doses to radiation workers to 5000 millirem per
  year from NYMC operations

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Declared Pregnant Worker

• Declaration of a pregnancy is voluntary and is
  accomplished by completing a Declaration of
  Pregnancy Form available on the EHS website or
  through the office (x4448). You must also review
  Regulatory Guide 8.13 Instruction Concerning
  Prenatal Radiation Exposure.
• Your dose will be limited to 10 of the normal
  occupational limits during pregnancy. This will
  result in a 500 mrem dose limit for the fetus.

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Pregnancy Policy

• During certain stages of development, the
  embryo/fetus is believed to be more sensitive to
  radiation damage than adults (rapidly dividing
  and undifferentiated cells are more sensitive to
  radiation damage).
• If you are considering becoming pregnant, you
  should contact the RSO for information on
  policies, risks and recommendations regarding
  exposure to radiation during pregnancy.
• You may also wish to formally declare your
  pregnancy for radiation protection purposes. If
  you become pregnant and are working with or
  around radioactive material or radiation
  producing equipment, you should also inform your
  supervisor.

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Natural Background Radiation
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EXPOSURE LIMITS

• Background
• Background varies depending upon the altitude and
  ground and building materials.
• In Westchester, the annual dose received from
  background is 360 mrem/yr
• DOSE (mR/yr) SOURCE
• 0.3 - 1 watching TV for 4 hours daily at 12
  feet (x-ray emission from screen)
• 4 reading glossy magazines for 1 hr/day
  (uranium and potassium in clay paper coating)
  
• 5 eating 1 banana per day (potassium (K-40)
  in banana)
• 10 living in a brick house instead of a wood
  one (potassium, uranium and thorium in clay in
  the bricks)
• 70 living in Denver instead of at sea level
  (increased background radiation due to
  elevation and igneous rocks)
• 100 flying 5000 miles per month (reduced
  atmospheric radiation shielding)
• 100 - 200 radon gas inhalation (national
  average)
• 100 - 200 foods and fertilizers
  (naturally-occurring potassium(K-40) and uranium
  in
• super-phosphate fertilizers
• 150 medical technicians (yearly average)
• 170 flight crews (reduced atmospheric radiation
  shielding)
• 2000-5000 dose to lungs smoking 1 pack
  of cigarettes/day polonium (Po-210) and lead
  (Pb-210) from U decay series from U decay series

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Radiation Risk

• All radiation exposure is accompanied by some
  risk.
• The lower the exposure, the lower the risk.
• Keep exposure to radiation ALARA
• As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

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Acute Exposure Risk

• Acute Exposure Relatively high exposure over a
  short time
• Threshold for any effect - 100,000 mrem
• Flu-like symptoms that self resolve in a few days
• (nausea, vomiting, malaise, headache, etc)
• LD 50/30 500,000 mrem (without medical
  treatment), 50 of the exposed will die in 30 days

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Chronic Exposure Risk

• Increases likelihood of cancer
• US Cancer rate is approximately 25
• Each 1000 mrem of exposure increases chance of
  cancer by 0.03
• (BIER V, United Nations)

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How do we measure Radiation Dose ?

• We measure the dose received by radiation workers
  by reading their Dosimetry (radiation badges)
  each month
• Two types of dosimeters are available a badge
  and a ring.
• Wear the badge face-out between your neck and
  waist
• Only wear the badge issued to you
• Only wear the badge while at work
• Wear the ring on the index finger of your
  non-dominant hand
• Wear the ring with the barcode facing inward
  (towards your palm).

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How do I keep my exposure low?

• Each Individual (this means YOU) is responsible
  to ensure that exposures are kept As Low As
  Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)
• Reduce Time in radiological area
• Increase Distance to radioactive materials
• Use Shielding between you and sources of radiation

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What Rules Should I Follow When Working
In the Labs?

• The risk of receiving a radiation overexposure
  from work practices on campus is minimal. The
  risk is no greater than other common activities
  such as using power tools, climbing a ladder or
  using electricity. By following a few basic
  rules, you can ensure you work safely while in
  areas posted with the radiation symbol
• Follow all room postings carefully.
• Announce yourself and state your purpose when
  entering the lab.
• If no one is present in the lab, contact the
  Principal Investigator or lab supervisor.
• Ask lab personnel which areas of the lab, if any,
  should be avoided.
• Do not handle anything labeled with the Radiation
  symbol (unless directed by Radiation Safety staff
  or the Principal Investigator).

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What Should I Do If Equipment needs
Repair or Service?

• Call Radiation Safety x4078
• You should never attempt to repair any equipment.
  
• Any equipment with a radiation symbol must be
  surveyed and declared free of contamination by
  Radiation Safety before repair or service can
  begin. This includes (but is not exclusive to)
• All structures (tables, sinks, fume hoods, etc.)
  potentially contaminated with radioactive
  materials will be labeled with the Radiation
  Symbol.

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What Should I Do if There is an
Emergency?

• Call Radiation Safety x4078
• Injury - If there is a personal injury, follow
  normal emergency procedures and DISREGARD any
  concern about radiation exposure. The potential
  for receiving any measurable radiation dose is
  minimal.
• Render First Aid if trained and able - Medical
  Attention is ALWAYS the FIRST priority over
  exposure control.

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What Should I Do If There is an
Emergency?

• Call Security x4226
• Call Radiation Safety x4078
• Spills - If there is a spill in a radiation
  laboratory or any spill that involves radioactive
  material, do not attempt to clean up the spill
  yourself.
• Secure the area
• Contact Radiation Safety (or Security on weekends
  or off-hours)

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What are My RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES?NY
State Notice to EmployeesStandards for
Protection Against Radiation

• RIGHTS
• Periodic Training provided
• Annual exposure report provided upon request
• Termination exposure report provided upon request
• RESPONSIBILITIES
• Keeping exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable
• Follow NYMC and NYSDOH rules and regulations
• Observe the policies and procedures for your own
  protection and safety

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Further Info

• For more information contact
• Sarah Cottet Radiation Safety Officer , x3668
• Patricio Villalon Environmental/Radiation
  Specialist, x3292