Uranium and Thorium Compounds (Acetate and Nitrate)

The Radiation Safety Office, managed by the Director of Radiation Safety, is responsible for assuring compliance with relevant Federal, State and University regulations and enforces policies established by the Radiation Safety Committee. The Radiation Safety Office maintains a staff adequate to assure the safe receipt, use, storage and disposal of radioactive materials and is authorized to intervene to prevent hazardous conditions from developing or to eliminate existing unsafe conditions on any matter related to radiation safety.

Authorization to purchase, store, use or dispose of Uranium and Thorium compounds, such as Acetates or Nitrates must be obtained from the Radiation Safety Committee or the Radiation Safety Officer. The primary investigator must notify the Radiation Safety Office prior to initial use of the compounds so that all proper criteria can be evaluated.

Uranium and Thorium Policy

The university has adopted the following policy of which all users of the above mentioned material must read and abide by.

Lab PI and User Roles and Responsibilities:

  1. Training: EHS lab safety training (from EEM website) and Uranium user training (from Radiation Safety website)
  2. Site Specific training form completed and returned to the radiation safety office 
  3. Scope of work presented to the radiation safety office detailing how you will:
    • complete forms (source inventory AU-1 and waste inventory)
    • properly handle and treat material for disposal
    • ensure general lab safety
    • abide by the applicable requirements (listed below)
    • notify radiation safety or UML police of spills
  4. As a user of this material you must operate your use in compliance with the Radiation Safety Manual (applicable sections below).
  • Section 6: Purchase of Radioactive material
  • Section 7: Working with radioactive material
  • Proper storage, inventory, labeling, contamination control and records, etc.
  • Section 8: Disposition of radioactive material NOTE: some wastes if mixed or created improperly can cost thousands of dollars to dispose.
    • Appendix 4: Radiation accident response (contamination, loss or theft, and fume hood failure).
    • Appendix 9: Forms 

Radiation Safety’s Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Approve requisition through BuyWays (commodity code: Radioactive Material) or submitted HP-1 form.
  • Inspect lab for radiation safety (initially, as needed). Looking for general safety, Inventory, Contamination levels measured, Waste inventory (activity, composition listed, segregated, secured), and Source security (room and/or source cabinet) 
  • Receive radioactive material and transfer to the Lab (only once all requirements are satisfied)
  • Handle waste (cost sharing might be sought for improper disposal, e.g. mixing) 
  • Support and technical advisors
  • Emergency spill response


Training

All personnel who use uranium and thorium compounds must have adequate training in the proper use of the material and be aware of the associated radiation hazards. To complete your training navigate to the radiation safety site specific training page and complete the:

  • Uranium and Thorium user training presentation,
  • complete and sign the site specific training form and return a copy to the radiation safety office. be sure to use the words "Uranium" in the topic section of the form.