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ACB
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Cambridge Scientific
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Energy Solutions (Safeguard)
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Disposing or Transferring Radioactive Sources in Instruments
Instruments used for radiation detection may have radioactive sources in them. If you plan to dispose or transfer any radiation detection instrument, you MUST determine whether a radioactive source is present. If a source is present then notify the Radiation Safety Officer, who will remove or properly deal with the source.
It is imperative that the above procedure be followed. If the source (instrument) accidentally got sent to a metal scrap recycler (which has happened), the cost of cleaning up a smelting facility can be enormous and involve legal action. The person(s) who accidentally disposed of the source is guaranteed to experience a regulatory nightmare, whilst his/her organisation is likely to experience severe regulatory restrictions if not loss of license. Despite offering very little risk to the general public, such an incident is likely to be reported in the popular press – usually with negative implications & repercussions.
Commonly found Instruments that may have radioactive sources in them are as follows:
- Liquid Scintillation Counters (LSC): Almost all LSC’s have an internal calibration source. Typical radionuclides are 137Cs, 133Ba and 226Ra. Typically, the source is buried deep in the instrument and surrounded by lead.
- Survey Meters: Usually these are old GM tube or ion chamber type of hand held radiation detectors. Occasionally a meter may have a small check source associated with it, particularly in meters made before 1980, certainly meters made in the 1940s & 1950s.
- Both LSC’s and Gamma Counters are likely to have small external (removable) calibration sources.
- Gas Chromatographs: These may have a Ni63 source in them.
- Specialized Analysers. There are all kinds of specialized analysers with radioactive sources in them such as a) explosive detectors b) lead paint analysers and moisture density gauges. LOOK FOR THE TREFOIL – THE RADIATION SYMBOL.
- If you are transferring an instrument containing a radioactive source you must be assured that the recipient is authorised or licensed to hold the radioactive material.
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