 Repair of Potentially Contaminated Equipment
Any equipment used in research and potentially contaminated
with radioactive material must be surveyed prior to repair to determine if it is free@ of contamination, including fume hoods, biological
cabinets, centrifuges, etc.
@ "Free of contamination" means that the activity on
equipment should be less than 100 uCi/100 cm2 based on a wipe test of the
surface. The wipe test should be analyzed by a scintillation counter set to detect the
isotope/s used in the laboratory.
There are two possible scenarios for the repair of
equipment:
- Engineering or a vendor will come to the laboratory to
perform the repair, or
- The equipment will be shipped to a vendor or manufacturer for
repair.
The survey should consist of:
- monitoring with a geiger counter for gamma emitters, and high
energy beta emitters, and
- a wipe test survey to monitor for all radioisotopes used in
the equipment.
You should document the results of the survey, including the
print-out from the liquid scintillation counter. If you find contamination you will need
to decontaminate the equipment with decon spray and paper towels. You then re-survey the
equipment and confirm it is clean. Otherwise, if it is still contaminated, decontaminate
it a second time. Save survey results from your re-survey attempts to show that the
equipment is clean. If after three attempts you are unsuccessful, contact Radiation Safety
for assistance.
Example 1 (Fume
Hood Repair)*: If you need to have a fume hood repaired by Engineering, you should
remove any potentially contaminated items from the hood. You should then monitor it with a
geiger counter for contamination and perform a wipe test on its surfaces. The wipe test
should include the front edge of the fume hood, the work area, three sides, and the sash.
It would be a good idea to do the floor in front of the hood as well. If you find
contamination you will need to decontaminate the hood and confirm it is clean by
conducting another survey. Repeat the process of decontaminating and surveying until you
find the fume hood to be clean. Save the print-outs from the liquid scintillation counter
to document that it is clean. Once the fume hood is clean, the Safety Department needs to
clear the fume hood prior to Engineering performing the repairs.
*Note: This is the procedure
for any equipment to be repaired, moved or discarded.
Example 2 (Centrifuge Repair):
If you need to ship a contaminated centrifuge back to the manufacturer for repair you will
need to survey it and possibly decontaminate it before hand. Frequently, the company will
ask that you sign a form confirming that the item is free of contamination. So it is
important that you have documentation that you surveyed the item prior to shipping it. If
you find contamination you will need to decontaminate it thoroughly. You may need to
remove the rotor to clean it and the inside of the centrifuge. You may also need to soak
the rotor to remove the contamination.
Note: There are civil penalties
and fines for shipping contaminated equipment to a manufacturer.
If you need guidance to decontaminate any equipment feel
free to contact Radiation Safety at x2243.
Radiation Safety
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