(1) Each sealed
radioactive source possessed under the provisions of a specific license, other
than hydrogen-3 (tritium), with a half-life greater than 30 days and in any
form other than gas, shall be tested and results obtained for leakage or
contamination prior to initial use and at six-month intervals or as specified
by the license, 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, it shall be tested for leakage and results obtained before further
use. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor indicating that a test
for leakage has been made within six months prior to the transfer (three months
for a source designed to emit alpha particles), the sealed source shall not be
put into use until tested and the results received.
(2) Leak tests shall be capable of detecting
the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 microcurie) of removable contamination. The
results of leak tests made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be
recorded in units of becquerel or microcuries and shall be maintained for
inspection by the department. Any test conducted pursuant to subsection (1) of
this section which reveals the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 microcurie) or more of
removable contamination shall be considered evidence that the sealed source is
leaking. The licensee shall immediately withdraw the source from use shall take
action to prevent the spread of contamination and shall cause it to be
decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed in accordance with WAC
246-232-080. If a sealed source shows evidence of leaking, a report shall be
filed with the department within five days of the test, describing the
equipment involved, the test results, and the corrective action
taken.
(3) Test samples shall be
taken from the sealed source or from the internal surfaces or the opening of
the container in which the sealed source is stored or from surfaces of devices
or equipment in which the sealed source is permanently mounted. Tests for
contamination and leakage may be made by wiping appropriate accessible surfaces
on which one might expect contamination to accumulate and measuring these wipes
for transferred contamination. Test samples shall also be taken from the
interior surfaces of the container in which a sealed source of radium is
stored.
(4) Leak tests are required
for sealed radioactive sources that are greater than 3.7 MBq (100 microcuries)
for beta and gamma emitting sources and greater than 370 KBq (10 microcuries)
for sources designed to emit alpha particles.
(5) Tests for leakage or contamination shall
be performed by persons specifically authorized by the department, an agreement
state, or the NRC to perform such services.
Notes
Wash. Admin. Code §
246-221-080
Amended by
WSR
14-01-077, filed 12/16/13, effective
1/16/2014
Amended by
WSR
23-21-056, Filed 10/11/2023, effective
11/11/2023
Statutory Authority:
RCW
70.98.050. 94-01-073, § 246-221-080,
filed 12/9/93, effective 1/9/94. Statutory Authority:
RCW
70.98.050 and
70.98.080. 91-15-112 (Order 184),
§ 246-221-080, filed 7/24/91, effective 8/24/91. Statutory Authority:
RCW
43.70.040. 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified
as § 246-221-080, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority:
RCW
70.98.080. 83-19-050 (Order 2026), §
402-24-060, filed 9/16/83. Statutory Authority:
RCW
70.98.050. 81-01-011 (Order 1570), §
402-24-060, filed 12/8/80; Order 1095, § 402-24-060, filed 2/6/76; Order
1, § 402-24-060, filed 1/8/69; Rules (part), filed
10/26/66.
