Radioactive Materials
Aaron Wilmot
This program manages the safety and regulatory compliance for the use of unsealed radioactive materials at all Penn State University campuses except the Hershey Medical Center. Procedures, requirements, and guidance are provided through the Rules and Procedures for Users of Radioactive Material link in the Requirements/Guidelines section to the left.
New faculty, staff, or researchers needing to use radioactive materials should review the For New PIs link in the Requirements/Guidelines section.
Program Applicability
The Radioactive Materials Program applies to Penn State employees, students, and visitors who possess, use, handle, store, or dispose of radioactive materials in teaching, research, or operational activities at Penn State campuses except the Hershey Medical Center and the College of Medicine.
This program primarily applies to individuals working with unsealed radioactive materials, as well as specific licensed and generally licensed radioactive sources used in laboratories and other controlled settings. The program exists to ensure the safe use of radioactive materials and compliance with applicable federal and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulations governing radiation safety.
Program Requirements
The Radioactive Materials Program establishes requirements for the authorization, safe use, oversight, and regulatory compliance of radioactive materials at Penn State.
Authorization and Oversight:
- All use of radioactive materials must be authorized through Penn State’s Radiation Protection Program and approved by the University Isotopes Committee (UIC), as required by University policy and regulatory agencies.
- Faculty, staff, or researchers new to radioactive material use must complete required authorization steps before beginning work.
Responsibilities of Principal Investigators and Supervisors:
- Ensure radioactive materials are acquired, used, stored, transferred, and disposed of in accordance with approved procedures
- Ensure personnel working with radioactive materials receive required radiation safety training
- Maintain compliance with Penn State rules and applicable regulatory requirements
- Work with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to support inspections, monitoring, and program compliance
Responsibilities of Authorized Users:
- Follow approved rules, procedures, and safe work practices
- Use radioactive materials only within the scope of their authorization
- Complete required training and refresher training as applicable
- Promptly report spills, incidents, or unsafe conditions involving radioactive materials
Waste Management and Inspections:
- Radioactive waste must be managed and disposed of in accordance with Penn State’s Radioactive Waste Management Program
- EHS conducts inspections, surveys, and oversight activities to ensure compliance and radiation safety
Documents and Forms
- Dosimetry Request Form (now on LionSafe)
- Generally Licensed Source Authorization Application
- Good Practices for Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC)
- Information for New Radioactive Material Supervisors
- Instructions for Obtaining University Approval to Use Radioactive Material
- Laboratory Rules for Safe Use of Radioactive Material
- Radiation Safety Information for Ancillary Personnel
- Radioactive Lab Survey Log Sheet
- Radioactive Material Authorization Application
- Radioactive Material Ordering Procedures
- Reducing Contamination When Using S-35
- Request for Acting Supervisor of Radioactive Material Authorization (University Isotope Committee)
- Rules and Procedures for Use of Radioactive Material at The Pennsylvania State University
Additional Resources
Personal Radiation Monitoring (Dosimetry)
Before individuals can be issued personal radiation monitors (dosimeters), additional information must be provided to EHS and EHS training must be completed. The additional information is supplied using the Dosimetry Request process, and Dosimetry Requests are now being accepted electronically.
To submit a dosimetry request:
Navigate to LionSafe (https://lionsafe.psu.edu), and login using your psu ID and PW.
Navigate to Assessments (accessed from the left-hand side of the screen).
Click the “Create New Assessment” button in the upper right.
On the menu that appears, selecting “Default User Group.”
Under “Assessment Type”, select “Radiation Dosimetry Request.” This will allow users to initiate the Radiation Dosimetry Request process.
Complete the questionnaire and click “Finalize” in the lower right when complete.
EHS can assist with completing the process once a request has been submitted.