Radiation Safety

The Radiation Safety Office (RSO) is responsible for and oversees the safe use of radiation and radioactive material on all University of Louisville campuses, University Hospital, and the James Graham Brown Cancer Center. The RSO performs services to insure compliance with State of Kentucky radioactive materials licenses, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and other pertinent laws, regulations and guidelines. It is also the lead agent to keeping radiation exposure to employees as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). It consults as well with local agencies on radiation safety matters and maintains an active participation in professional organizations that are concerned with the practice of radiation safety.

Questions regarding the Radiation Safety Program can be directed to the Radiation Safety Officer, or call 502-852-5231.

 

When do you need the Radiation Safety Committee to review your IRB protocol?

Examples of research studies that may require additional radiation safety review by the facility (e.g. UofL Health, Norton, etc.) include, but are not limited to:

  • Uses a radioactive research drug(s) regulated under the FDA requirements
  • Involves the use of any radiation in pediatric participants (<18 years old) with an annual effective dose >0.5 rem or healthy pediatric volunteers (any dose level) 
  • Uses any radiation in healthy adult volunteers, excluding DEXA and chest X-Ray 
  • Uses therapeutic administration of radioactive materials (Examples include therapeutic use of I-131, Lu-177, Y-90, Th-227, Ra-223, or Ir-192 permanent seed implants) 
  • Involves novel uses of radiation, including any radioactive Investigational New Drugs (IND) and radiation-producing investigational devices 
  • The radiation itself is the research agent being studied in the protocol (for example: the protocol compares the effectiveness of 2 different doses of radiation therapy; comparison of the effectiveness of drug X vs drug X + radiation therapy; study of the uptake and biodistribution of a novel radioactive tracer). 

Contact radsafe@louisville.edu or 502-852-5231 to discuss requirements and the review process related to the facility where you plan to conduct this research.


Radiation Safety Committee
The University has been granted two "Type A - broad scope" licenses for radioactive material possession by the state of Kentucky. As a condition of these licenses the University has chartered the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) as the oversight committee for issues of radiation safety at the University and U of L Hospital. RSC membership includes representatives of both the faculty and administration. The RSC sets University policies and oversees the implementation of all aspects of the safe use of radioisotopes and radiation on the Belknap campus, the Health Sciences Campus, the Shelby Campus and the U of L Hospital. The goal of the RSC is to ensure the protection of all University personnel and the general public regarding the safe use of radioisotopes and radiation.

The RSC meets quarterly. Meetings are usually held on Friday afternoon starting at 2:00pm. Meetings are sometimes rescheduled, so please contact DEHS 502-852-6670 to confirm meeting dates and locations.

 

Increased Controls Program
The University possesses certain materials of concern. In order to gain unescorted access to these materials, individuals must subject themselves to an extensive background check. Individuals must notify the University Radiation Safety Officer to initiate the process. The process is a multi-step process:

  • Submission of fingerprints to US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • Extensive check of education, employment history and references by an outside firm.

Once all of the information is received and reviewed by the Radiation Safety Officer, then a determination is made and the individual notified. This process can take at least 4 weeks. Please plan accordingly.

 

Laser Safety
Today, lasers may be used in almost all aspects of research, manufacturing, and clinical use. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) provides safety services to the users and operators of lasers in the research and education portions of the campus community.