Washington State University
SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
RADIATION SAFETY
9.43
Revised 3-02
Radiation Safety Office
335-8916
Sealed Source Leak Testing Program
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REQUIREMENT
Radiation Safety Office (RSO) personnel conduct tests for leakage
on sealed radioactive sources prior to initial use and at six-month intervals.
(WAC 246-221-080)
Applicability
RSO personnel test the following radioactive sources:
- Sealed sources with a half-life greater than thirty days.
- Sealed beta or gamma sources with an activity of 100 microcuries (3.7
MBq) or greater and alpha sources of 10 microcuries (370 kBq) or greater.
Exceptions
The following radioactive sources are excepted from leak tests:
- Gases
- Hydrogen-3 (tritium)
Swipe Test
The swipe test for leakage is capable of detecting the presence
of 0.005 microcuries (185 Bq) of removable contamination.
Record of Results
The Radiation Safety Office (RSO) maintains a record system
of leak test results.
LEAKING SEALED SOURCES
Radiation Safety personnel immediately withdraw from use any
leaking sealed sources.
The Radiation Safety Office files appropriate reports with the Radiation
Control Section of the Washington State Department of Health.
LONG-TERM STORAGE
The Radiation Safety Office stores rarely-used sealed sources
in long-term storage in the cave room of the Nuclear Radiation Center. RSO
personnel wipe-survey this long-term storage area at least once during each
six-month period.
RSO personnel conduct swipe tests on stored sources prior to release from
the storage area.