EHS Guide to Radioactive Waste

APPLICABLE TO ALL RADIOACTIVE WASTE

1. Radioactive waste is required to be segregated by isotope.
   • ³H and ¹⁴C can be combined into a single container
   • Short-lived radioisotopes (Half-life < 120 days may be combined into single container, i.e. P-32, S-35, Tc-99m, and I-131)
   • In all cases, materials added to a waste container shall be chemically non-reactive with both the container and its contents.
2. All radioactive waste shall be separated and stored into the following physical forms:
   • Solid Waste
   • Liquid Waste
   • Sharps Waste
   • Animal Carcasses
   • Lead (Pb) shipping containers
3. Environmental Management division (617-358-7840) of EHS is available to assist in finding vendors of approved radioactive waste containers.
4. Regardless of the type of radioactive waste generated, all radioactive waste shall be assembled in designated restricted areas and stored in waste containers clearly labeled with the following:“RADIOACTIVE WASTE” or “CAUTION RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL.” Environmental Management will not accept radioactive waste stored in improper waste containers.
5. Radioactive chemicals or powders, contaminated sharps, and radioactive animal carcasses are examples of a “mixed waste stream.” All such waste shall meet the requirements for radioactive material waste handling as documented in this procedure and the requirements for chemical/hazardous material waste handling as documented by EHS’s Environmental Management division. Lead containers must not be placed in radioactive waste containers. Keep lead containers in a separate storage bin for pick up by Environmental Management.
6. Laboratories shall maintain a log containing the isotope and total activity present within each waste container generated or used by that laboratory. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to assure that this log is promptly and accurately maintained.
7. Radioactive labels must be removed or defaced prior to placing in radioactive waste container.
8. When in use, a radioactive waste container shall be labeled with the following information:
   • “RADIOACTIVE WASTE” or “CAUTION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL” warning sign
   • Log of the radioisotope(s) present within the container
   • One entry for each time waste is added to the container
   • Chemical form(s) of the radioisotope(s) present (if liquid)
9. When full, a radioactive waste container shall be labeled with the following information:
   • Log of the radioisotope(s) present within the container
   • Estimate of the activity present of each radioisotope (preferably in mCi)
   • Chemical form(s) of the radioisotope(s) present
   • Permit Holder’s name
   • Laboratory room number
   • Name of person labeling the waste
   • Date that the waste was labeled
10. All radioactive waste receptacles shall be kept in an approved area within the laboratory - not in the hall or other unsecured area. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to verify that the location of the waste receptacle within the laboratory does not present a health hazard.
11. When a radioactive waste container is full, submit a Request for Waste Pickup using the form provided on the EHS website.
    • NOTE: Environmental Management will not accept possession of any waste containing contaminated glass unless it is stored in a plastic lined rigid container (plastic, cardboard).
12. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to verify that the waste is properly contained and identified. Environmental Management has the right to refuse waste pickup for improperly stored waste. The permit holder also is responsible for ensuring that any improperly stored waste (especially waste refused for pickup) is properly repackaged as soon as possible.
13. Short-lived waste may NOT be stored for decay (i.e., until the activity of the waste is indistinguishable from background) in the laboratory. The City of Boston Fire Department requirements preclude the storage of such waste in the laboratory for the purpose of decay in storage. The Boston Fire Department has permitted a specific area for this purpose.

APPLICABLE TO ALL SOLID RADIOACTIVE WASTE

1. Bench top stored, solid (dry) radioactive waste (gloves, absorbent material, etc.) shall be placed in clear Plexiglas containers lined with clear plastic bag. All labels indicating radioactivity must be defaced prior to placing in the waste bin.
2. Bags from the bench top containers may be consolidated into larger containers; however, the containers must be the yellow 5 gallon pails available from Environmental Management (at no charge).
3. Each radioactive waste container (bench top or floor pail) shall be identified with the magenta and yellow radiation symbol and the words: “RADIOACTIVE WASTE” or “CAUTION RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL.”
4. Radioactive waste is required to be segregated by isotope.
   • ³H and ¹⁴C can be combined into a single container
   • Short-lived radioisotopes (Half-life < 120 days may be combined into single container, i.e. P-32, S-35, Tc-99m, and I-131)
   • In all cases, materials added to a waste container shall be chemically non-reactive with both the container and its contents.
5. The laboratory shall maintain a log of the isotope(s) and total activity present within each container. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to assure that this log is promptly and accurately maintained.
6. While in use, each radioactive waste container shall be clearly labeled with the information required above. Verify that this information is not obscured from view.
7. Radioactive waste placed in containers shall NOT include any liquids, animal tissue, animal excreta, blood products, lead (Pb), or loose sharp objects likely to cause a laceration or puncture wound.
8. Radioactive material must not be put into a waste container if there is the possibility of a chemical reaction during storage that may cause a fire, explosion, or the release of radioactive material.
9. Special care must be taken in storing radioactive waste containing volatile isotopes such as iodine and some forms of Sulfur-35. It is suggested that these wastes be double bagged and tightly sealed. Charcoal felt must be used to assist with the control of iodine volatility. Please call Environmental Management (617-358-7840) if you have any questions on this matter.
10. When the container is full, the waste shall be labeled to clearly display the information required in General Radioactive Waste Handling, Bullet 8. Verify that the label is not obscured from view.
11. After labeling a full waste container, submit a “Request for Waste Pickup” using the online form provided on the EHS website.
    • NOTE: Environmental Management will not accept possession of any waste containing contaminated glass unless it is stored in a plastic lined rigid container (plastic, cardboard).

APPLICABLE TO LIQUID RADIOACTIVE WASTE

1. Liquid radioactive waste (including liquid scintillation fluid) shall be contained in plastic or glass, sealable jugs. Call Environmental Management (617-358-7840) if special consideration must be given to another type of container due to chemical incompatibility with approved plastic or glass containers.NOTE: Liquid radioactive waste should be doubly protected. Plastic storage bins are therefore available from Environmental Management Office.
2. Each radioactive liquid waste container shall be identified with the magenta and yellow radiation symbol and the words: “RADIOACTIVE WASTE.”
3. Radioactive waste is required to be segregated by isotope.
   • ³H and ¹⁴C can be combined into a single container
   • Short-lived radioisotopes (Half-life < 120 days may be combined into single container, i.e P-32, S-35, Tc-99m, and I-131)
   • In all cases, materials added to a waste container shall be chemically non-reactive with both the container and its contents.
4. While in use, each liquid waste container shall be clearly labeled with the information required by General Radioactive Waste Handling, Bullet 8. Verify this information is not obscured from view.
5. The laboratory shall maintain a log of the isotope and total activity present within each container. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to assure that this log is promptly and accurately maintained.
6. When the liquid radioactive waste container is nearly full, attach a Radioactive Material Tag to the container including the information documented in General Radioactive Waste Handling, Bullet 8. Verify that the label is not obscured from view.
7. Submit a Request for Waste Pickup using the online form provided on the EHS website.
8. Organic based Liquid Scintillation cocktails containing ³H or ¹⁴C at concentrations below 0.05 mCi/ml (1.11x10⁵ dpm/ml) are disposed of as toxic waste without regard to radioactivity (that is, it is considered non-radioactive).
9. Disposal of aqueous liquids via a designated radioisotope laboratory sink may be performed only if the laboratory meets the following criteria:
   • The waste is an aqueous solution AND
   • The isotope concentration falls within the limits documented in BU/BMC Sink Disposal Limits of Radioisotopes(FORM), AND,
   • The permit holder has been previously approved by the EHS for sink release for the specific chemical in question.
10. The permit holder is responsible for maintaining the Sink Disposal Log which document the total activity disposed via the sink disposal route, the isotope disposed, and the date.  

APPLICABLE TO ANIMAL CARCASS RADIOACTIVE WASTE

1. All animal carcasses shall first be placed in a plastic bag and then in a brown paper biohazard material bag (e.g. a Kraft bag). Animal carcass, animal tissue/parts, and animal excreta/bedding may be placed together in the same bag for the same animal.
2. Animal carcass waste bags shall NOT contain:
   • Sharps (i.e. needles, syringes, knives, scalpel blades, etc)
   • Glass (broken or whole)
   • Ceramics
   • Pipettes
3. Once the animal carcass has been double bagged, it must be frozen for at least twenty four prior to pick up by Environmental Management. Environmental Management will provide the container for the animal carcasses to ensure compatibility with the waste vendor acceptance criteria.
4. A radioactive material tag (or sticker) must be placed on the outermost bag and must be fully labeled as described in  General Radioactive Waste Handling, Bullet 8.
5. Submit a Request for Waste Pickup using the online form provided on the EHS website.

APPLICABLE TO SHARPS RADIOACTIVE WASTE

1. All sharps (needles, syringes, razor blades, scalpel blades, microtome blades, microscope slides/covers, pipette tips, Pasteur pipettes, broken glass, or any object likely to cause a laceration or puncture wound) contaminated with radioactive material shall be deposited into a special sharps container
2. Radioactive sharps waste is required to be segregated by isotope.
   • ³H and ¹⁴C can be combined into a single container
   • Short-lived radioisotopes (Half-life < 90 days may be combined into single container, i.e. )
   • In all cases, materials added to a waste container shall be chemically non-reactive with both the container and its contents.
3. Each radioactive sharps waste box shall be identified with the magenta and yellow radiation symbol and the words: “RADIOACTIVE WASTE.”
4. While in use, each sharps waste container shall be clearly labeled with the information required for all General Radioactive Waste Handling, Bullet 8. Verify this information is not obscured from view.
5. The laboratory shall maintain a log of the isotope and total activity present within each container. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to assure that this log is promptly and accurately maintained.
6. When the sharps radioactive waste container is full, attach a Radioactive Material Tag to the container including the information documented in the General Radioactive Waste Handling, Bullet 8. Verify that the label is not obscured from view.
7. Submit a Request for Waste Pickup using the online form provided on the EHS website.

APPLICABLE TO LEAD (Pb) SHIPPING

Many stock vials are shipped from vendors within lead (Pb) shielded containers. These containers shall be disposed of by Environmental Management. Non-contaminated lead shields may be disposed of as per the rules and regulations documented by the Boston University Environmental Health and Safety Office (617-358-7840). Any lead shield contaminated with radioactive material shall be either labeled and stored as radioactive waste or labeled and given to the DMPRS.