SECTION 8: Receipt and Opening of Packages Containing Radioisotopes

• Package Monitoring Requirements
• Package Monitoring Program
• Release of Packages to the Library
• General Procedures for the Receipt of Packages in the Laboratory
• General Procedures for Opening Packages
• Disposition of Packaging Material
• After Hours Receipt
• Other Requirements

Package Monitoring Requirements (top)

Paragraph 20.1906 of "10 CFR Part 20" requires that certain packages of radioactive materials be leak tested and surveyed for radiation levels promptly (within three hours after receipt, if the package is received during normal working hours). A monitoring-required package is any package bearing Department of Transportation (DOT) Radioactive White-I, Radioactive Yellow-II or Radioactive Yellow-III labels on its outer surfaces. A monitoring-required package also includes any radioactive materials package which shows evidence that the package integrity is not intact, e.g., a crushed, wet or damaged package.

The "Authorized User" is responsible for ensuring that any radioactive materials packages received in the laboratory are surveyed as required. To assist the "Authorized User," procedures have been set up to allow the Office of Environmental Health and Safety to survey monitoring-required packages and keep the required records.

Package Monitoring Program (top)

1. Certain departments have established procedures by which any monitoring- required package is surveyed before it is delivered to an "Authorized User’s" laboratory. In those departments, receiving room personnel notify the Office of Environmental Health and Safety that a monitoring-required package has been received. The package survey is conducted at the receiving room by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and an EHS Package Survey and Release label is affixed to the package indicating that the survey has been performed. The package is delivered to the "Authorized User’s" laboratory only after the Office of Environmental Health and Safety notifies receiving room personnel that the package may be released.
2. In those departments where a general procedure for the survey of monitoring- required packages in the receiving room has not been established, it is the responsibility of each "Authorized User" to notify the Office of Environmental Health and Safety that a monitoring-required package has been delivered. In such a case the following conditions apply:
   • The "Authorized User" must notify the Office of Environmental Health and Safety immediately that a monitoring-required package has been delivered. Regulations require that the survey be performed within three hours after the delivery of the package to the University.
   • The package cannot be opened until the Office of Environmental Health and Safety has monitored the package and notified the "Authorized User" that the package has been released for use.
   • The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will survey the package and will affix an EHS Package Survey and Release label to the package. However, the package cannot be opened until the Office of Environmental Health and Safety has provided verbal confirmation to the "Authorized User" that the package is released for use.

Release of Packages to the Laboratory (top)

To ensure traceability of radioisotope packages received at the University, receiving room personnel will not release radioisotope packages to any laboratory without obtaining a signature from a representative of that laboratory.

General Procedures for the Receipt of Packages in the Laboratory (top)

The following procedures apply to the receipt of any radioactive materials packages in an "Authorized User’s" laboratory:

• Certain departments may have special requirements for the receipt of packages in the laboratory, including procedures which allow only a limited number of designated individuals to sign for the package. Laboratory personnel must be familiar with departmental procedures for the receipt of radioactive material packages.
• Before any person in the laboratory signs for a package, he or she must verify by examining the packing slip and the labels on the package that the package presented is the same package identified on the receipt record on which the signature is made.
• If a monitoring-required package (i.e., a package bearing DOT Radioactive White-I, Radioactive Yellow-II or Radioactive Yellow-III labels or a damaged package) is delivered and the package does not bear the dated EHS Package Survey & Release sticker, then the person who signs for the package is responsible for immediately notifying the Office of Environmental Health and Safety that a monitoring-required package has been received in the laboratory.
• Any person who signs for a package is responsible for ensuring that the package is secured. If the package cannot be opened promptly, it must be immediately placed in a secure location.
• Any person who signs for a package is responsible for promptly notifying the person who will use the radioisotope that the package has arrived.

General Procedures for Opening Packages (top)

The following procedures apply to the opening of any radioactive materials package:

1. Packages must be opened in a properly equipped laboratory and only by the "Authorized User" or by an adequately trained individual designated by the "Authorized User."
2. Inspect the packing slip and verify that the package contains the material as ordered in the expected amount. After the package has been opened, inspect the label on the radioactive material vial or container to verify that it contains the material ordered.
3. If there are any discrepancies between the original order and the material actually sent, notify the Office of Environmental Health and Safety immediately. Arrangements for the replacement of an incorrect order are made through the Purchasing Department and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
4. Open packages in a fume hood. Wear protective clothing and use any appropriate protective equipment such as shields, tongs, etc.
5. Survey the outer surface of the package and report instances of unusual radiation levels to the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Measurements of radiation levels for even those packages for which external radiation is not expected, such as H-3, may detect a package which contains the wrong isotope.
6. As the package is opened, survey each successive layer of packing material or packing containers for contamination, using a portable survey meter and/or wipe testing, as appropriate, and making certain to look for signs of leakage. Significant removable contamination at any point, including extensive contamination on the inner vial, should be reported immediately to the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. If contamination exceeding three times the detector background is found at any point during the survey, a record of the survey must be kept.
7. Supply additional shielding for the inner container as necessary.
8. Dispose of contaminated packing material as radioactive waste.

Disposition of Packaging Materials (top)

1. Make sure any box or packaging material is not contaminated and does not contain radioactive materials before placing the packaging out for disposal or sending it for recycling.
2. Deface or remove radioactive material labels on any empty packaging before placing the package out for pickup as nonradioactive trash. This is an NRC requirement.

After Hours Receipt (top)

The receipt of radioactive material packages after hours, i.e., after receiving areas have closed for the day, rarely occurs and arranging for the receipt of such a package is not encouraged. However, a carrier may attempt to deliver a package after hours due to inclement weather or other special circumstances. The following conditions apply to the after hours delivery of packages.

1. The Public Safety Office will not accept delivery of radioactive materials packages.
2. The Public Safety Office will not allow a carrier to deliver a package to any department unless that department or the "Authorized User" has made special arrangements with the Public Safety Office.
3. In the event an after hours delivery has been arranged, it is the responsibility of the "Authorized User" to contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety in advance to arrange for the monitoring of any monitoring-required package.

Other Requirements (top)

Paragraph 20.1906 of "10 CFR 20" specifies other requirements, such as arrangements for the receipt of packages containing very large amounts of radioactivity. The "Health Physicist" will discuss any special requirements for the receipt and handling of unusual packages during the authorization process.