Radioactive Materials

Stony Brook’s Broad Scope Type A Radioactive Materials License encompasses all uses on both East and West campus.

Request, renew or amend a REQUIRED permit to:
- Work with radioactive materials in research (click to open the second drop down on this page for more information)
- Host the public in permitted spaces
- Schedule industrial radiography work
Keep your permit up to date:
- Add a new user to a Research Radioactive Materials Permit (click to open the third drop down on this page for more information)
- Inquire about dosimeters
- Enroll in radiation safety training
- Report and respond to a radioactive spill (click to open the fifth drop down on this page for more information)
- Order, ship, and receive radioactive materials
- Decommission or remove spaces, people, or equipment from a permit
Submit a Google Form to request other services:
Minor spills:
1. NOTIFY: Notify persons in the area that a spill has occurred.
2. PREVENT THE SPREAD: Cover the spill with absorbent paper.
3. CLEAN UP: Use disposable gloves, protective clothing and remote handling tongs. Carefully fold the absorbent paper and pad. Insert into a plastic bag and dispose of in the radioactive waste container. Also insert into the plastic bag all other contaminated materials such as disposable gloves.
4. SURVEY: With a low-range thin-window GM survey meter, check the area around the spill, hands, and clothing for contamination.
5. REPORT: Report incident to the Radiation Safety Officer/Radiation Safety.
Major spills: (over 1mCi I131, Y90, P33 – over 10mCi C14, Ga67, In111, I123 – over 100mCi Tc99m, N13, Tl201)
1. CLEAR THE AREA: Notify all persons not involved in the spill to vacate the room.
2. PREVENT THE SPREAD: Cover the spill with absorbent pads, but do not attempt to clean it up. Confine the movement of all personnel potentially contaminated to prevent the spread.
3. SHIELD THE SOURCE: If possible, the spill should be shielded, but only if it can be done without further contamination or without significantly increasing your radiation exposure.
4. CLOSE THE ROOM: Leave the room and lock the door(s) to prevent entry.
5. CALL FOR HELP: Notify the Radiation Safety Officer/Radiation Safety immediately.
6. PERSONNEL DECONTAMINATION: Contaminated clothing should be removed and stored for further evaluation by the Radiation Safety Officer. If the spill is on the skin, flush thoroughly and then wash with mild soap and lukewarm water. If contamination remains induces perspiration by covering the area with plastic, then wash again.
7. The Radiation Safety Officer or radiation safety designee will supervise the cleanup of the spill and will complete a report.
Important numbers:
- Radiation Safety Officer: Michelle Kehoe (631) 402-2175
- Hospital Sr. Radiation Safety Associate: Anthony Boccia (631) 258-1244
- University Sr. Radiation Safety Associate: Janet Oseni: (631) 469-2197
Other alternate telephone numbers:
- Main EH&S office (631) 632-6410
- University Police Emergency (631) 632-3333 or 333 from a campus phone
- University Policy on-Emergency (631) 632-6350
References:
- NUREG 1556 Table N–1 for list of radionuclide hazards
- Policy ERM.EHS.RS 208 Radioactive Materials Spill and Emergency Procedures
Forms/postings:
- Radiation incident report
- Radioactive materials spill procedure
Before ordering radioactive materials, Permit Holders should review, print out, and retain a copy of ERM.EHS.RS205 Ordering and receiving packages containing radioactive materials or X-ray/ionizing radiation generating devices.

Orders that require Radiation Safety approval include but are not limited to:
- Radioactive materials for bench-top research
- Radioactive materials for animal use
- Sealed radioactive sources
- Exempt quantity sources
- Uranyl Acetate, Uranyl Formate, and Uranyl Nitrate
Approval by the Radiation Safety Officer or designee is mandatory. Orders are reviewed in Stony Brook approved requisitioning tools such as Wolfmart, iLab, and Lawson.

Contact the Radiation Safety Office at radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu to request assistance or additional information.
The Radioactive Waste Management Guide provides users with instructions for preparing radioactive waste for pick-up and disposal in accordance with the ERM.EHS.RS 212 Disposal and Storage of Radioactive Waste policy.
All Radiation Safety policies will be available online in the near future. In the meantime, you may request a copy of a specific policy by completing the Radiation Safety Policy Request form.

Radioactive waste flow chart: Not all radioactive waste generated at Stony Brook University is described in the flow chart. If you have any questions regarding accessing these documents, any procedures, or need additional information, please contact Radiation Safety at (631) 632-6410 or radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu.

Scheduling a waste pick-up: Users must submit a request to Radiation Safety to schedule a radioactive waste pick-up. The Radioactive Waste Disposal Record must be complete for each container and present at the time of pick-up.
There are 3 types of NRC recognized Authorized Individuals at Stony Brook University and Stony Brook University Hospital. They are as follows:

Authorized User: Authorized user means a physician, dentist, or podiatrist who—
1. Meets the requirements in 10 CFR 35.59 and 35.190(a), 35.290(a), 35.390(a), 35.392(a), 35.394(a), 35.490(a), 35.590(a), or 35.690(a); or
2. Is identified as an authorized user on—
  - A Commission or Agreement State license that authorizes the medical use of byproduct material;
  - A permit issued by a Commission master material licensee that is authorized to permit the medical use of byproduct material;
  - A permit issued by a Commission or Agreement State specific licensee of broad scope that is authorized to permit the medical use of byproduct material; or
  - A permit issued by a Commission master material license broad scope permittee that is authorized to permit the medical use of byproduct material.
The intentional internal or external administration of byproduct material or the radiation from byproduct material to patients or human research subjects requires the supervision of an authorized user. At Stony Brook, Medical Authorized Users are approved in accordance with the policy ERM.EHS.RS 109 Approved Medical Use Authorized User (AU).

Authorized Medical Physicist: Authorized medical physicist means an individual who—
1. Meets the requirements in 10 CFR 35.51(a) and 35.59; or
2. Is identified as an authorized medical physicist or teletherapy physicist on—
  - specific medical use license issued by the Commission or Agreement State;
  - A medical use permit issued by a Commission master material licensee;
  - A permit issued by a Commission or Agreement State broad scope medical use licensee; or
  - A permit issued by a Commission master material license broad scope medical use permittee.
Radiation Safety Officer: Radiation Safety Officer means an individual who—
1. Meets the requirements in 10 CFR 35.50(a) or (c)(1) and 35.59; or
2. Is identified as a Radiation Safety Officer on—
  - A specific medical use license issued by the Commission or Agreement State; or
  - A medical use permit issued by a Commission master material licensee.
A licensee is required to have a Radiation Safety Officer per 10 CFR 35.24, "Authority and responsibilities for the radiation protection program." Management must appoint a Radiation Safety Officer, who agrees, in writing, to be responsible for implementing the radiation protection program. The licensee, through the Radiation Safety Officer, shall ensure that radiation safety activities are being performed in accordance with licensee-approved procedures and regulatory requirements.

Additionally, there is 1 other Authorized User distinction that is listed on a Radioactive Materials License (RAML). It is as follows:

Cyclotron Facility Authorized User: Authorized Users (non-human use) - Staff who will operate the cyclotron or process cyclotron products without direct supervision must have any requisite professional training and experience (e.g., nuclear pharmacist or radiochemist) as well as specific training and experience relevant to work in a cyclotron/PET facility. This should include:
1. 200 hours of training in cyclotron physics and radiation safety, targetry, radiochemistry, use of automated and semi-automated chemical synthesis devices, quality control, airborne emissions verification and evaluation, and regulatory standards.
2. Hands-on experience with the relevant equipment and chemistry at a similar facility, and there should be a documented evaluation of individual knowledge and performance.
For more information, please see the policy ERM.EHS.RS 924 BAHL Cyclotron Center Operator and Engineer Requirements.

The procedure for becoming an Authorized Individual is unique depending on the Authorized Individual type and if previously listed on another RAML. Contact the Radiation Safety Officer at radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu or (631) 632-6410 for guidelines. Additional information about authorized invidiuals can be found on the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission website.

Forms/postings

Permit holder/user forms:

Logbook forms:

Postings:

State of New York Notice to Employees
Radioactive Materials Spill Procedures
Approved Scintillation Cocktail Posting
Caution Signage- 10 CFR Part 20.1901 and 10 CFR Part 20.1902

Postings	Condition
Caution, Radiation Area	5 mrem in 1 hour at 30 cm from the source or shield surface
Caution, High Radiation Area	100 mrem in 1 hour at 30 cm from the source or shield surface
Grave Danger, Very High Radiation Area	500 rads in 1 hour at 1 m from the source or shield
Caution, Airborne Radioactivity Area	Air concentration exceeding the derived air concentration (DAC)
Caution, Radioactive Material	Use or storage of ten times the quantity in Quantities of Licensed Material Requiring Labeling
* Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu for more information*

Research

Purpose: All work involving the use of radioactive materials must first be approved by the University Radiological Protection Committee and/or University Hospital Radiation Protection Committee. This includes exempt quantities.

Who should complete this permit: The Research Radioactive Materials Permit Application is filled out by the person who will be responsible for radioactive materials in the department/lab and meets the requirements of ERM.EHS.RS 114 Radioactive Materials and X-Ray Research Permit Holder Requirements and Qualifications.

How to complete this permit:
1. Permit holders should review, print out and retain a copy of ERM.EHS.RS 118 Research Radioactive Materials, X-ray and Laser Permit Holder Responsibilities.
2. Submit:
  - Permit Holder’s most recent CV or resume demonstrating radioactive materials experience. Submission of a Research Permit Holder Radiological Training Record may be used in substitution to demonstrate previous experience and qualifications.
  - Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request for each faculty member or student (other than the permit holder) working with radioactive materials. Each form is to be signed by the user and permit holder.
  - Completion of radiation safety training SBRS 001 for the permit holder, staff, and students.
  - Diagram/map of all radioactive material locations to be used for radioactive research. Include location of radioisotope storage, waste storage, areas of use, accelerators, etc. Include windows and door locations in each space.
  - The Research Radioactive Materials Permit Application, completed in its entirety.
3. Approval process:
  - University Radiation Safety Committee (UPRC) members vote to approve the permit.
  - The determination of satisfactory knowledge is at the discretion of the URPC.
  - Approved permit holders receive notification of decision once the URPC process is complete.
Expiration/Amendments: Radioactive material permits are valid for five years from the approval date. Any amendments to permits must formally be submitted to radiation safety by email and approved by the appropriate radiation safety committee before the changes can occur. Amendments DO NOT reset permit expiration dates and thus permits must be renewed prior to expiration date associated with permit application approval date. Amendments include:
- Request to increase activity
- Additional isotopes
- Changes in research process involving radioactive materials
- Changes in space (new, move, temporary relocation)
Purpose: A conditional variance may be granted by the Radiation Safety Officer to relieve a researcher from the responsibilities listed in Radiation Safety Policy ERM.EHS.RS 119 Radioactive Materials, X-ray and Laser Internal Permit Requirements.

How to apply for a conditional variance:
1. To qualify for a conditional variance, the researcher must meet the criteria listed in the variance request form. Current variances offered by the Radiation Safety Office are:
  - Variance for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)
  - Variance for Electron Microscopes
2. The applicable variance request form should be completed and certified by the researcher.
3. Completed forms must be sent to radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu for review by the Radiation Safety Officer.
4. Researchers will be notified via email when the variance has been approved.
Contact the Radiation Safety Office at radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu to request assistance or additional information.
New users must receive authorization from the Radiation Safety Officer prior to beginning work with radioactive materials. Complete the following steps to request authorization for a new user:
1. Contact the Environmental Health & Safety Front Office at (631) 632-6410 or radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu to request applicable training registration.
2. Complete the assigned trainings in the Learning Management System (LMS).
3. After completing the assigned training, the new user will fill out the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request with the appropriate information and signatures.
  - Please also visit the dosimeter webpage if working with ionizing radiation to see if ordering a new dosimeter is applicable for the candidate.
4. After the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request has been completed and certified by the candidate and the permit holder, the form must be emailed to radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu for review by the Radiation Safety Officer.
5. Users will be informed via email when the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request has been approved.
Uranyl acetate, uranyl nitrate, and uranyl formate are water-soluble uranium compounds used as high-contrast stains in electron microscopy. Uranyl stains are both toxic and radioactive. Radiation Safety and Environmental Health & Safety regulate the use of these compounds to maintain compliance with Federal, State, and University regulations. A Radioactive Materials Permit is required to handle these compounds. For more information about Uranyl stains please see the Uranyl safety sheet.
The Kavita and Lalit Bahl Molecular Imaging Laboratory and Cyclotron, located on the 4th floor of the MART, is a state-of-the art facility is fully equipped with a GE PETtrace™ 800 cyclotron, a research radiochemistry laboratory housing 5 Comecer MIP 1100 hot cells, a GMP radiosynthesis laboratory home to 2 Comecer MIP 1100 hot cells, and a QC laboratory.

The Bahl Cyclotron and Molecular Imaging Lab manufactures 18F and 11C radiopharmaceuticals to probe biological systems, with applications in oncology, cardiology, neurology, psychiatry and drug development. Additionally, the BAHL Center can provide F-18 (half-life 110 minutes) to Stony Brook researchers. View the Bahl Cyclotron internal radioactivity request procedure.

headshot of the environmental health & safety logo

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH SAFETY AND RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER

Michelle Kehoe | (631) 632-9676 | Michelle.Kehoe@stonybrook.edu