Section 11-45-52 - Testing for leakage or contamination of sealed sources(a) Each sealed source with a half-life greater than thirty days and in any form other than gas, shall be tested for leakage or contamination before initial use and, unless otherwise authorized by the department, at intervals not to exceed six months, except that each source designed for the purpose of emitting alpha particles shall be tested at intervals not to exceed three months. If, at any other time, there is reason to suspect that a sealed source might have been damaged or might be leaking, it shall be tested for leakage before further use. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor indicating that a test for leakage has been made within six months before the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested and the results received. (1) Tests for leakage for all sealed sources, except those manufactured to contain radium, shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcuries (one hundred eighty-five becquerels) of radioactive material on a test sample. Test samples shall be taken from the sealed source or from the surfaces of the container in which the sealed source is stored or mounted on which one might expect contamination to accumulate.(2) The test for leakage for sources manufactured to contain radium shall be capable of detecting an absolute leakage rate of 0.001 microcuries (thirty-seven becquerels) of radon-222 in a twenty-four hour period when the collection efficiency for radon-222 and its daughters has been determined with respect to collection method, volume and time.(3) Test samples shall also be taken from the interior surfaces of the container in which sealed sources of radium are stored. This test shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcuries (one hundred eighty-five becquerels) of a radium daughter which has a half-life greater than four days.(4) Notwithstanding the periodic test for leakage required, any sealed source is exempt from such tests for leakage when the sealed source contains one hundred microcuries (3.7 megabecquerels) or less of beta or gamma emitting material or ten microcuries (three hundred seventy becquerels) or less of alpha emitting material.(b) Tests for leakage or contamination shall be performed by persons specifically authorized by the department to perform such services.(c) The following shall be considered evidence that the sealed source is leaking: (1) The presence of 0.005 microcuries (one hundred eighty-five becquerels) or more of removable contamination on any test sample. If the test of a sealed source, other than radium, reveals the presence of 0.005 microcuries (one hundred eighty-five becquerels) or more of removable contamination, the licensee shall immediately withdraw the sealed source from use, take action to prevent the spread of contamination, and cause the sealed source to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of in accordance with subchapter 4.(2) Leakage of 0.001 microcuries (thirty-seven becquerels) of radon-222 per twenty-four hours for sealed sources manufactured to contain radium. If the test of a sealed source manufactured to contain radium reveals the presence of removable contamination resulting from the decay of 0.005 microcuries (one hundred eighty-five becquerels) or more of radium-226, the licensee shall immediately withdraw the sealed source from use, take action to prevent the spread of contamination, cause the sealed source to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of in accordance with subchapter 4.(d) Test results shall be kept in units of becquerel or microcurie and maintained for inspection by the department for three years.(e) Reports of test results for leaking or contaminated sealed sources shall be made pursuant to section 11-45-96.[Eff 11/12/99] (Auth: HRS §§ 321-10, 321-11, 321-71) (Imp: HRS §§ 321-1, 321-11(21), 321-71)