Radiation Lab Decommissioning

Responsibilities

The responsibility for the preparation for lab decommissioning lies with the Principal Investigator (PI); they may utilize all trained laboratory staff to complete the tasks and/or communicate with DRS. This will include:

  • Communication with DRS for the decision to terminate the use of radioactive materials. Generally, a minimum of one month is required to complete the process; longer for more complex usage locations.
  • Preparing radioactive materials, including stock solutions, research samples, and waste materials for ultimate transfer to and waste removal by DRS.
  • Cleaning and decontaminating all surfaces and equipment that was in contact with or used with radioactive materials.
  • Removing or defacing all radiation markings from equipment and work areas.

The Division of Research Safety (DRS) will be responsible for removing all properly prepared and submitted radioactive waste materials and conducting the final location contamination surveys.

Checklist of Items to be Completed:

 ü

Communication-Decision to Decommission

Communicate with DRS the decision to terminate the use of radioactive materials. Work with DRS to develop a projected timeline and goal for completion.
Confirm with DRS which radioisotopes were used previously in the permitted locations.
Provide a map to DRS of areas where radiation usage occurred.

Laboratory PI and Personnel Decommissioning actions

Confirm all stock radioactive materials, all radioactive materials in samples, all intermediates have been removed from lab as waste or included in the existing waste totals for ultimate disposal. Check all storage locations, including refrigerators and freezers to ensure all materials have been accounted for and managed. Check “ice covered” locations to ensure materials have not been hidden during years of storage.
Search all cabinets, drawers, refrigerators, fume hoods, and other equipment for the presence of radioactive materials, equipment, or supplies. Recommend staging all items in a marked area for ease of contamination evaluation and final removal of materials.
Clean sinks and flush sink drains used for radioactive materials drain disposals.
Clean and decontaminate all benchtops, cabinets, drawers, and shelving where radioactive materials were used.       
Clean and decontaminate all equipment including refrigerators/freezers, benchtop equipment such as centrifuges, blenders, etc. and handheld glassware, tools, and handling devices that were used with radioactive materials.
Conduct contamination surveys according to the laboratory’s standard practices and locations. Provide DRS with a map of locations and survey results for those checks that were monitored for contamination. This will aid DRS in completing the final close-out surveys. (Communicate with DRS regarding the disposition of any lab owned hand-held survey meters or lab owned stationary survey equipment, for example, liquid scintillation counters (LSC).
Prepare a final waste submittal for removal of all dry waste including debris such as gloves and towels that were used during the cleaning and decontamination process.

DRS Responsibilities

*Include a map/sketch diagram of all surveys taken and corresponding locations. Scan and save mapping/sketch with survey results.
Survey all surfaces used for radioactive materials work. Include sink drains, refrigerators/freezers (ice build-up), and permanent equipment.
  • Sink drains, connectors, hardware, and surfaces
  • Sink traps (use swab and tongs). Underneath sinks used for drain disposal of radioactive materials, survey seams/locations where leaks can occur from plumbing
 
  • Fume hoods, all internal surfaces and hardware
 
  • Benchtops, including cabinet handles and under-bench equipment and furniture
 
  • Light switches, door handles, doors/door jams, and other inadvertent touch surfaces
 
  • Floors. This should be random spots on floors near work areas or primary travel locations around work areas and storage areas used for radioactive materials work.
When surveys indicate there is no existing contamination, remove all RAD markings, tape, and labels from work areas and installed equipment.
Last Updated: 10/21/2025