RAM Users Quiz (Refresher)

Radiation Users Quiz

This quiz is only for those who are using unsealed radioisotopes at the University of Colorado (Boulder, Denver, or Colorado Springs campuses) and who have already completed the Basic Radiation Safety Orientation. Please fill out this quiz completely and then submit the form to Health Physics to fulfill your refresher training requirement. Most answers will be found in the Radiation Safety Handbook, although some are simply common-sense. If you have any questions, send e-mail to HPL.

If you have difficulty submitting the quiz, you may print it out, complete it, and then return it to the Radiation Safety Office at 413 UCB or FAX it to (303) 492-1322 for grading.

Please enter your information here:

Name (first - MI - last):

What lab are you in?

Principal Investigator: Building/Room:

What's your e-mail address?

Please check the best answer for each question.

1. Health Physics personnel are available to assist with questions and emergency response involving radioactive materials. During normal business hours, what number would you call to contact Health Physics?

a) 1-900-SAFETY

b) (970) 444-9398

c) (303) 492-6523

d) (303) 555-1234

2. Which radiation is least penetrating of human skin tissue?

a) Beta particle

b) Alpha particle

c) Gamma Ray

d) X-ray

3. Which type of external radiation would be considered the most hazardous, given an equal amount of activity and distance from the source?

a) An alpha source

b) A beta source

c) A gamma source

d) All are equally hazardous

4. The Total Effective Dose Limit, set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), is an amount of radiation which may be received by a radiation worker.

a) Before being exposed to radiation

b) That causes only minor radiation burns

c) That causes mild radiation sickness

d) Long before any biological effects from radiation are seen

5. Surveys taken by laboratories using unsealed radioactive materials are required to be taken:

a) With a geiger counter

b) With a wipe smear analyzed in a liquid scintillation counter (LSC)

c) Using the latest technology available

d) By the most junior person in the lab

6. When the distance between a worker and a radioactive source is increased, the amount of radiation received will

a) Double

b) Not change

c) Be cut in half

d) Decrease

7. If a radiation worker becomes pregnant, she is encouraged to voluntarily

a) Notify her supervisor & Health Physics

b) Notify the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

c) Do nothing

d) Take a 9 month leave of absence

8. Which type of shielding will reduce the hazard of Bremsstrahlung x-rays which are created by high-energy beta-emitters, such as ³²P?

a) Lead

b) Aluminum

c) Plexiglass (plastic)

d) Steel

9. Loose contamination in the laboratory must be controlled so that

a) Risk of internal contamination of lab workers is minimized

b) Workers can be more comfortable not wearing labcoats or disposable gloves

c) Fewer surveys will have to be performed

d) All of the above

10. During a routine contamination survey of laboratory, Health Physics personel find a lab bench contaminated at the level of 1,200 dpm/100 cm² of ³²P. The area MUST be decontaminated and resurveyed.

True

False

11. Contamination surveys must be performed by laboratory personnel at the following intervals

a) Daily, even if no radiation work is being done

b) Weekly, or after each experiment is complete

c) Monthly, but only if Health Physics doesn't perform their check

d) Annually, whether it needs it or not

12. Radioactive materials may only be ordered using a Purchase Request (PR)/Standing Purchase Order (SPO).

True

False

13. It is acceptable to use biohazard bags to hold radioactive waste.

True

False

14. The annual occupational dose (whole body) limit to radiation workers, set by the NRC, is

a) 1 rem (1,000 mrem)

b) 5 rem (5,000 mrem)

c) 15 rem (15,000 mrem)

d) 50 rem (50,000 mrem)

15. Decontamination of laboratory surfaces is best achieved by

a) Sweeping any loose contamination out the door

b) Using a strong detergent such as "RadiacWash" or "IsoClean"

c) Covering the contaminated area with bench paper and ignoring it

d) All of the above

16. Before using a portable radiation survey instrument (such as a geiger counter) you should

a) Check the battery, by turning the switch to "Batt," or a similar function.

b) Check the calibration sticker for recent (within the last six months) calibration

c) Check that the audible speaker is on and functioning properly

d) All of the above

17. Dosimeters should be worn

a) On the front of the body, between the waist and the neck

b) On the pants pocket or belt loop

c) On the sleeve, near the wrist

d) It should not be worn, but kept near the lab bench where work is being performed.

18. The reading on a geiger counter is always constant, regardless of the type of radiation monitored, the distance between the instrument probe and the source, and the orientation of the probe with relation to the surface monitored.

True

False

19. The main duty of a principal investigator (P.I.) licensed by the Radiation Safety Committee is to

a) Strictly account for all of their radioactive isotopes to Health Physics from time of receipt

b) Ensure that radioactive materials under their authorization are used safely and kept secure, and that proper training has been provided to all lab personnel

c) Equip their laboratory with appropriate means of monitoring radiation and radioactive contamination, as well as assure that weekly wipe smears are taken.

d) All of the above

20. No eating, drinking, or applying of cosmetics is allowed in a laboratory using radiation, except in designated areas and after washing one's hands.

True

False

21. The primary use of a dosimeter is to

a) Immediately notify the Radiation Safety Officer of possible radiation exposures as soon as they occur.

b) Provide a record of personnel radiation exposure and identify possible problem areas on a continuing basis.

c) Identify those personnel who are trained radiation workers from those who are not.

d) Protect workers from the possibility of being exposed to radiation.

22. The principal delayed effect of radiation exposure is the potential of developing cancer.

True

False

23. The risk of radiation induced cancer from occupational exposure is much greater than the risks associated with other events or activities we encounter and accept in our normal day-to-day life.

True

False

24. Disposable equipment such as petri dishes, rubber gloves and razor blades used in experiments which mix radioactive materials with biologically hazardous materials should be disposed of by

a) Rendering non-infectious with bleach and holding for separate Health Physics disposal.

b) Autoclaving and disposing without regard to radioactive contamination.

c) Rendering non-infectious with bleach and placing in radioactive solid waste.

d) Turning over to the CU Hazardous Materials Team with no further action taken

25. It is a good idea to periodically dispose of old isotope vials, especially those containing tritium, in order to reduce the risks from exposure and contamination.

True

False

IMPORTANT!

If you have worked with radiation at any institution other than the University of Colorado during the past three years, it is your responsibility to notify Health Physics so that your lifetime dose can be tracked. Please answer the questions below before submitting your refresher quiz.

I have not worked with radiation at an institution other than CU in the past 3 years. (If you checked this box, thanks for your time -- please go ahead and submit your quiz).

I have worked at the following institution(s) other than CU in the past 3 years. (separate information by commas).

Name/Address of Institution(s):

Radiation Safety Contact(s):

Type(s) of radiation used:

Thanks for your time!