180 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 1, § 011

Current through September 17, 2024

Section 180-1-011 - TESTS FOR LEAKAGE AND CONTAMINATION OF SEALED SOURCES

Licensees and registrants must test sealed sources for leakage and contamination.

011.01 Sealed sources must be tested so that:

(A) Each sealed source, except as specified in 180 NAC 1-011.02, is tested for leakage or contamination and the test results are received before the sealed source is put into use unless the licensee or registrant has a certificate from the transferor indicating that the sealed source was tested within six months before transfer to the licensee or registrant.

(B) Each sealed source that is not designed to emit alpha particles is tested for leakage or contamination at intervals not to exceed six months or at alternative intervals approved by the Department, after evaluation of information specified by 180 NAC 3014.12(C) and (D) of Title 180, or by an Agreement State, or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(C) Each sealed source that is not designed to emit alpha particles is tested for leakage or contamination at intervals not to exceed six months or at alternative intervals approved by the Department, after evaluation of information specified by 180 NAC 3014.12(C) and (D) of Title 180, or by an Agreement State, or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(D) Each sealed source that is required to be tested for leakage or contamination is tested at any other time there is reason to suspect that the sealed source might have been damaged or might be leaking. The licensee or registrant must assure that the sealed source is tested for leakage or contamination before further use.

(E) Tests for leakage for all sealed sources, except brachytherapy sources manufactured to contain radium, must be capable of detecting the presence of 185 Bq ( 0.005µCi) of radioactive material on a test sample. Test samples must be taken from the sealed source or from the surfaces of the container in which one might expect contamination to accumulate. For a sealed source contained in a device, test samples are obtained when the source is in the "off" position.

(F) The test for leakage for brachytherapy sources manufactured to contain radium must be capable of detecting an absolute leakage rate of 37 Bq ( 0.001µCi) of radon-222 in a 24 hour period when the collection efficiency for radon-222 and its daughters has been determined with respect to collection method, volume and time.

(G) Tests for contamination from radium daughters must be taken on the interior surface of brachytherapy source storage containers and must be capable of detecting the presence of 185 Bq ( 0.005µCi) of a radium daughter which has a half-life greater than four days.

011.02EXEMPTION. A licensee or registrant does not need to perform tests for leakage or contamination on the following sealed sources:

(A) Sealed sources containing only radioactive material with a half-life of less than 30 days;

(B) Sealed sources containing only radioactive material as a gas;

(C) Sealed sources containing 3.7 MBq (100 µCi) or less of beta or photon-emitting material or 370 kBq (10 µCi) or less of alpha-emitting material;

(D) Sealed sources containing only hydrogen-3;

(E) Seeds of iridium-192 encased in nylon ribbon; and

(F) Sealed sources, except teletherapy and brachytherapy sources, which are stored, not being used and identified as in storage. The licensee or registrant must, however, test each such sealed source for leakage or contamination and receive the test results before any use or transfer unless it has been tested for leakage or contamination within six months before the date of use or transfer.

011.03PERSONS PERFORMING TESTS. Tests for leakage or contamination from sealed sources must be performed by persons specifically authorized by the Department, an Agreement State, or the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission to perform such services.

011.04UNITS. Test results must be kept in units of Becquerel or microcurie and maintained for inspection by the Department.

011.05LEAKING SOURCES. The following must be considered evidence that the sealed source is leaking:

(A) The presence of 185 Bq ( 0.005µCi) or more of removable contamination on any test sample.

(B) Leakage of 37 Bq ( 0.001µCi) of radon-22 per 24 hours for brachytherapy sources manufactured to contain radium.

(C) The presence of removable contamination resulting from the decay of 185 Bq ( 0.005µCi) or more of radium.

011.06USE OF LEAKING SOURCES. The licensee or registrant must immediately withdraw a leaking sealed source from use and must take action to prevent the spread of contamination. The leaking sealed source must be repaired or disposed of according to Title 180.

011.07REPORTS OF LEAKING SOURCES. Reports of test results for leaking or contaminated sealed sources must be made as required by 180 NAC 4-064 by the licensee or registrant.

011.08STORAGE OF SEALED SOURCES. No sealed source may be stored for a period of more than three years without being tested for leakage or contamination by the licensee or registrant.

180 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 1, § 011

Amended effective 6/15/2021