91ɫƵ

header-logo
Student Conducting Laboratory Research
Radiation Safety

91ɫƵ Office of Radiation Safety Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

all
Where is the office of radiation safety located?

The Office of Radiation Safety is located in the basement of the Medical Education Building (MEB), down the hall from the Mail Room, in room M0760. The Office of Radiation Safety is located in the basement of the Medical Education Building (MEB), down the hall from the Mail Room, in room M0760. View a map (PDF)

To whom should I submit completed applications for the radiation safety committee?

Completed applications to the Radiation Safety Committee should be submitted to the RSO at either of the following locations:

  • 91ɫƵ Radiation Safety, MEB 0760
  • Froedtert Hospital Radiation Safety, Pavilion L760B

I'm a researcher planning to use radiation/radioactive material for the first time. What forms do  need to fill out?

There are two sets of application forms on the ORS site, there are Applications for the Use of Radioactive Materials in Non-Clinical Research (DOCX) and Applications for the Use of Radioactive Materials in Clinical Research. The Office of Research maintains complete information on Starting Up Research at 91ɫƵ.

Contact the Office of Radiation Safety with any questions.


Glossary of Radiation Terms

all
Acronyms

HFP
High Flash Point scintillation fluid.

LFP
Low Flash Point scintillation fluid.

NRC
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the branch of the federal government that regulates the use of byproduct material.

ORS
The Office of Radiation Safety

ORSS
Office of Radiation Safety Staff

RAM
Radioactive Material

RSC
A committee established by medical and/or broad scope licensees to oversee the use of radioactive materials at the institution. Committee membership is approved by the NRC.

RSO
Radiation Safety Officer


Radiation terms

Activity – The number of nuclear disintegrations (transformations) occurring per unit time. Measured in Curies (2.2 x 1012 decays per minute or DPM) or Becquerels (1 decay per second). 1 Curie (1 Ci) = 37 Giga Becquerel (GBq).

Alpha Radiation – Charged particles emitted by a radioactive material with a mass and charge equal to a helium nucleus, consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Authorized User – A faculty member authorized by the Radiation Safety Committee to use and possess radioactive material.

Background Radiation – The radiation emitted from naturally occurring sources such as cosmic rays and natural radioactive substances.

Becquerel (Bq) – A unit of radioactivity in the International System of Units (SI) equivalent to 1 decay per second.

Beta Radiation – Charged particles emitted by a radioactive material with a mass and charge equal to an electron.

Bremsstrahlung – Electromagnetic (X-ray) radiation generated by the interaction of charged particles with matter. Normally associated with 32P shielded by lead.

Byproduct Material – Any radioactive material (except special nuclear material) yielded in, or made radioactive by, exposure to the radiation incident to the process of producing or utilizing special nuclear material, generally, radionuclides made in a nuclear reactor.

Cold Zone – An area inside a restricted radioactive material work area where no radioactive materials may be brought into.

Contamination – Radioactive material that has been deposited where it is not desired, and where its presence may interfere with experimental results or cause exposure to laboratory personnel.

Controlled Area – An area outside a restricted area but inside a site boundary, access to which can be limited for any reason.

Counts per Minute – The reading from a survey meter or scintillation counter not corrected for the meter (cpm) efficiency

Curie (Ci) – A unit of radioactivity equal to 2.22 x 1012 disintegrations per minute.

Decay, Radioactive – The process where an unstable atom releases charged particles and/or electromagnetic radiation (gamma or x-rays).

Disintegrations – A measure of the rate of radioactive decay per minute (dpm)

Dose – A general term denoting the quantity of radiation absorbed in a specific mass.

Dose Rate – The dose absorbed per unit time normally measured in millirem per hour (mR/hr)

Efficiency – The measure of how accurately a piece of measuring equipment (Geiger - Mueller counter or scintillation detector) can detect a specific type of radiation.

Electron Volt (eV) – A unit of energy equivalent to the amount of energy gained by an electron passing through a potential difference of 1 Volt. This measure is used to denote the amount of energy a specific particle or photon has when emitted during decay.

Film Badge – A photographic film used for the detection and measurement of radiation exposure. When used with a series of filters allows for the accurate determination of the radiation dose received by an individual. Usually is worn as a whole body monitor (body badge).

Gamma Radiation – A penetrating electromagnetic radiation generated in the nucleus during radioactive decay. It is identical to an x-ray except for its origin.

Geiger Mueller – A instrument used for the measurement and detection of radiation by using a gas-filled (GM) Counter detector.

Gray (Gy) – An SI unit of absorbed dose equal to 1 joule per kilogram. 1 Gy = 100 rad.

Half-Life – The time required for a given amount of radioactive material to reduce its activity by half through decay. Each nuclide has a unique half-life.

Half Value layer – The thickness of shielding material required to attenuate the gamma radiation emitted by 50%.

Flash Point, high – When the lowest temperature at which vapors above a volatile combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame is greater than 300 F.

Flash Point, low – When the lowest temperature at which vapors above a volatile combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame is less than 300 F.

Inverse Square Law – The intensity of radiation at a point is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from that source. For example: if the dose rate at 1 cm is 200 mR/hr then at 2 cm it would be 50 mR/hr.

Ionizing Radiation – Any electromagnetic or particulate radiation capable of producing ions when it interacts with matter.

dzٴDZ­ – Nuclide having the same number of protons but differing in the number of neutrons, they have the same atomic number but different mass number.

Liquid Scintillation – A device used to count the radiation emitted by immersing a labeled sample into a Counter liquid scintillator.

RAD – The special unit of absorbed dose. One rad is equal to an absorbed dose of 100 ergs/gram or 0.01 joule/kilogram. 1 rad = 0.01 Gy

Radiation Worker – A person who through the course of their duties uses or handles radioactive material or radiation-producing equipment.

Radionuclide – A nuclide with an unstable ratio of protons and neutrons that will decay into a more stable state through the emission of radiation.

Radiotoxicity – Term referring to the potential of a radionuclide to cause damage to tissue when ingested.

REM – The special unit of any of the qualities expressed as dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in rems is equal to the absorbed dose in rads multiplied the quality factor. 1 rem = 0.01 sievert.

Restricted Area – Any area where access is limited for the purpose of protecting individuals against undue risk from exposure to radiation and/or radioactive materials.

Scintillator – A substance that absorbs radiation emitted by a radioactive material and releases the equivalent energy in visible photons that can be detected by a photodetector.

Shielding – Any material used to attenuate the radiation produced by a radioactive material. Lead, plexiglass, Lexan and concrete are common materials used.

Sievert (Sv) – The SI unit of any of the qualities expressed as dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in sieverts is equal to the absorbed dose in rads multiplied the quality factor. 1 sievert = 100 rem.

Special Nuclear Material – Plutonium, uranium-233, uranium enriched in the nuclide 233 or in the nuclide 235, and any other material that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, pursuant to the provisions of section 51 of the Atomic Energy Act, determines to be special nuclear material, but does not include source material.

TLD – A thermoluminescent dosimeter made of a crystalline material that stores a fraction of the radiation incident on it and releases this energy in the form of visible photons when heated. TLD's are usually worn as "ring badges".

X-rays – Electromagnetic energy released by bombarding a metallic target with electrons or any electromagnetic radiation produced outside of the nucleus of an atom.


Links & Resources

all
Campus resources
  • 91ɫƵ Environmental Health and Safety is not publicly accessible. If you have access to 91ɫƵ InfoScope, perform a site search for Environmental Safety.
  •  (Intranet access required)

  • Regulations & government agencies

  • Radiation and Pregnancy

    Pregnant women occupationally exposed to radiation have the option of limiting radiation exposure to their embryo/fetus to 500 mrem during pregnancy. To do so, the woman must voluntarily notify ORS in writing of her pregnancy and the estimated date of conception (month and year only).

    Declared pregnant woman means a woman who has voluntarily informed the Office of Radiation Safety, in writing, of her pregnancy and the estimated date of conception. The declaration remains in effect until the declared pregnant woman withdraws the declaration in writing or is no longer pregnant.

    Declaration of Pregnancy (DOCX) A form letter for the purposes of declaring pregnancy. The employee may choose to use the form letter, or provide her own written notification. The declaration must contain, at a minimum, the name of the employee, a statement that she is pregnant, her estimated date of conception (month and year only) and the department/service of employment.

    The Declaration may be sent to the employee's immediate supervisor, or to ORS. If the immediate supervisor is notified, the supervisor must promptly notify ORS.

    Training and Information - ORS provides the following information to staff concerning the health effects/risks associated with exposure of the fetus during pregnancy, and methods of maintaining radiation exposure within the dose limits, and As Low As Reasonably Achievable. ORS will evaluate the working conditions to determine compliance with fetus/embryo radiation exposure limits.

    Please contact ORS for additional information.

    US Nuclear Regulatory Commission documents on pregnancy and radiation:
    Instruction Concerning Prenatal Radiation Exposure (PDF)
    Risks from Occupational Exposure (PDF)

    Health Physics Society
    Pregnancy and Radiation (PDF)

    Center for Disease Control and Prevention
    Possible Health Effects of Radiation Exposure on Unborn Babies (PDF)

    Fluoroscopy Credential

    According to Wisconsin State Radiation Control Regulation DHS 157.74(2)(a), "Each individual who operates x–ray equipment shall be instructed in the safe operating procedures for each specific device and be competent in the safe use of the equipment as determined by the registrant."

    If you will be working with fluoroscopy at Froedtert Hospital, you will be required to be credentialed through Froedtert's Medical Affairs Office in fluoroscopy. Please contact the Medical Affairs Office or at (414) 805-3060.

    91ɫƵ Office of Radiation Safety

    (414) 955-4347

    Information about radiation and radiation safety

    Other

    Radionuclide Information (decay 'cheat sheets')

    Specific information on each isotope:

    Contact Us

    24 Hour Emergency Pager (414) 314-1037

    91ɫƵ Office

    (414) 955-4347

    Directions to M760 (PDF)

    (Basement, Medical Education Building)

    radsafety@mcw.edu

    Froedtert Office

    (414) 805-6540

    Froedtert Pavilion, L760B

    (Located in the 91ɫƵ Clinical Trials Administrative Area)