Radiation Incidents

Who should I call if there is a radiation mishap?

In the event of an emergency involving radiation the CU Radiation Safety Office should be notified as soon as possible. If the emergency is life threatening, 911 should be contacted. If 911 is notified, be sure to indicate that radiation is involved.

Boulder Campus (UCB)

Radiation Safety Office (Campus Hours)                   (303) 492-6523

EH&S Department (Campus Hours)                          (303) 492-6025

UCB Police Dispatch (After Campus Hours)             911 or (303) 492-6666

Colorado Springs Campus (UCCS)

UCB Radiation Safety Office (Campus Hours)         (303) 492-6523

Public Safety (After Campus Hours)                          (719) 262-3111

UCCS Police Department (After Campus Hours)      9-911

What information do I need to give responding personnel?

-Your name

-PI in charge of laboratory

-Type of radiation incident (x-ray malfunction, spill, lost source)

-Type of radiation involved (isotope or energy of X-ray machine)

-The volume/chemical form/activity of the spill.

-Building/location/room number where the incident occurred.

-A phone number you can be reached

-A location at while you are safe and we can meet you

I spilled unsealed radiation, what do I do now?

If a spill occurs, immediately notify personnel in the immediate area of the spill. All personnel not involved in the spill should vacate the area, being careful not to spread contamination. If possible, have personnel in the immediate area survey their shoes. If the spill is large and you do not feel comfortable cleaning it on your own, contact radiation safety to assist.

How do I clean up a spill?

Start by confirming you are wearing uncontaminated PPE including a lab coat and disposable gloves. Do not track contamination out of the area or through hallways. Consider putting disposable booties on while you are cleaning up. If you have a dosimeter, make sure you are wearing it while cleaning. Have your survey meter on and accessible at all times during the cleanup.

Once you have your PPE, survey meter, and dosimeter ready, proceed as follows:

• If there is liquid, contain the spread with absorbent material such as paper towels. Be sure to block access to any drains and prevent merging with any nearby hazardous material.
• Dispose of any contaminated solid items in a radioactive waste container (for example: paper towels, bench paper, etc)
• Use a decontamination solutions (such as RadiacWash or IsoClean) to saturate the contaminated area. Use a survey meter to identify the extent of the contaminated area.
• Clean the area with paper towels, wiping from the outside of the contamination zone, to the inside. This may require several cleanings.
• Dispose of all cleanup materials in an appropriate radioactive waste container.
• Take wipe smears of the entire contaminated area. It might be helpful to map out the contamination zone with tape to keep track of where each wipe was taken.
• If wipe survey results come back over twice background, clean the area again and resurvey.
• Continue process until all the area is clean.
• Maintain all LSC printout and record clean-up in laboratory survey book.
• Wash hands and resurvey clothes/shoes/lab coat before leaving.

If you need assistance with a spill cleanup, contact Radiation Safety at (303) 492- 6523

I (or another person) was exposed to radiation, what do I do?

Try not to panic, follow the steps below to reduce exposure:

• Any contaminated skin should be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water. Do not scrub the area, as harsh scrubbing could break the skin and increase the chances of internal contamination. If necessary, emergency showers can be used.
• If the contamination involves a wound, flush the area and seek appropriate medical attention. Call 911 if the wound is life-threatening. If the bleeding is not sever, allow the wound to bleed as this aids in removing contamination.
• Carefully remove any contaminated clothing and set aside in a plastic bag or absorbent paper.
• Take wipe smear survey of skin to be sure it is clean. If it comes back above twice the background, repeat the cleaning process.
• Maintain all records, including LSC printouts, for review by Radiation Safety.
• Notify CU Radiation Safety as soon as possible. (303)492-6523

I may have inhaled a volatile radionuclide, what do I do?

While most radionuclides do not pose an inhalation hazard, some isotopes like Tritium and unbound radionuclides have the potential to be inhaled. If you think you have inhaled radioactive materials, contact the Radiation Safety Office as soon as possible (303) 492-6523. Inhalation of radioactive material may be remedied somewhat by intentional coughing or deep breathing in a clean area. Once you have contacted Radiation Safety, a bioassay test may need to be performed to determine the amount of radiation inhaled. A follow-up with a medical provider may be necessary.

I may have ingested a radionuclide, what do I do?

If you think you have ingested radioactive materials, contact the Radiation Safety Office as soon as possible (303) 492-6523. Once you have contacted Radiation Safety, a bioassay test may need to be performed to determine the amount of radiation ingested. A follow-up with a medical provider may be necessary.

I may have injected a radionuclide, what do I do?

If you think you have injected radioactive materials, contact the Radiation Safety Office as soon as possible (303) 492-6523. Injection of radioactive material may be remedied somewhat by flushing the area thoroughly. Once you have contacted Radiation Safety, a bioassay test may need to be performed to determine the amount of radiation inhaled. A follow-up with a medical provider may be necessary.

How do I know if my sealed source is leaking?

The CU Radiation Safety Office performs periodic tests on sealed sources to detect leakage or loss of integrity. While extremely rare, there is the possibility that a source could lose its integrity and become a contamination and exposure hazard. If a source appears to be leaking, use personal protective equipment and survey the area/room for contamination. Contact CU radiation Safety for assistance with reducing contamination and assistance with leaking source.

I think I may have been exposed in a high radiation area, what now?

Certain radiation uses on campus could result in possible exposure to high radiation levels. Known high radiation areas will be posted as such. If you think you could have been exposed in a high radiation area, contact CU Radiation Safety right away. We will need to know the location of the exposure, the duration that you were in the area, how close you were to the radiation source, and the activity or energy of the source if known. A dose calculation may need to be performed by the RSO.