N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.5.24

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 21, November 5, 2024

Section 20.3.5.24 - LEAK TESTING, REPAIR, TAGGING, OPENING, MODIFICATION, AND REPLACEMENT OF SEALED SOURCES

A. The replacement of any sealed source fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device and leak testing, repair, tagging, opening, or any other modification of any sealed source shall be performed only by persons specifically authorized to do so by the Department.

B. Each sealed source shall be tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed six months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor indicating that a test has been made within the six-month period prior to the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested.

C. The leak test shall be capable of detecting the presence of 185 becquerels (0.005 microcuries) of removable contamination on the sealed source. An acceptable leak test for sealed sources in the possession of a radiography licensee would be to test at the nearest accessible point to the sealed source storage position, or other appropriate measuring point, by a procedure to be approved pursuant to Part 3 of 20.3 NMAC. Records of leak test results shall be kept in units of becquerels or microcuries and maintained for inspection by the Department for 3 years.

D. Any test conducted pursuant to Subsections B and C of 20.3.5.24 NMAC that reveals the presence of 185 becquerels (0.005 microcuries) or more of removable radioactive material shall be considered evidence that the sealed source is leaking. The licensee shall immediately withdraw the equipment involved from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of in accordance with 20.3 NMAC. Within 5 days after obtaining results of the test, the licensee shall file a report with the Department describing the equipment involved, the test results, and the corrective action taken.

E. A sealed source which is not fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device shall have permanently attached to it a square durable tag at least 2.5 cm on each side bearing the prescribed radiation caution symbol in conventional colors, magenta or purple on a yellow background, and at least the instructions: "Danger - Radioactive Material - Do Not Handle - Notify Civil Authorities if Found."

F. Each exposure device using depleted uranium (DU) shielding and an "S" tube configuration must be tested for DU contamination at intervals not to exceed 12 months. The analysis must be capable of detecting the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 microcuries) of radioactive material on the test sample and must be performed by a person specifically authorized by the Department to perform the analysis. Should such testing reveal the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 microcuries) or more of removable DU contamination, the exposure device must be removed from use until an evaluation of the wear on the S-tube has been made. Should the evaluation reveal that the S-tube is worn through, the device may not be used again. DU shielded devices do not have to be tested for DU contamination while in storage and not in use. Before using or transferring such a device however, the device must be tested for DU contamination if the interval of storage exceeded 12 months. Records of DU leak tests results shall be kept in units of microcuries (becquerels) and maintained for inspection by the Department for 3 years.

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.5.24

20.3.5.24 NMAC - Rp 20 NMAC 3.1.5.510, 5/19/02