Reporting a Radioactive Spill

To report a radioactive spill, contact the Radiation Safety Office at 502-852-5231. If the Radiation Safety Office is closed or cannot be reached, please contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 502-852-6111. Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Location of the spill.
• Nuclide that was spilled.
• Approximate amount of spilled material.
• On what type of surface did the spill occur.
• Your name and the name of the authorized user.
• Number you are calling from.

Incidents must be reported to the Radiation Safety Office as soon as possible. Call the Radiation Safety Office immediately for the following types of spills:

• Any major spill of radioactive material.
• Contamination of personnel with radioactive material.
• Suspected human intake of radioactive material.
• Potential exposure of individuals to excessive amounts of radiation.
• Theft or loss of radioactive material.
• Accidental releases of radioactive material into the air or water.

Some radiation accidents may be reportable to the Kentucky Radiation Control Board and/or other regulatory agencies. The Radiation Safety Office will determine the reporting responsibilities.

Immediate actions you should take:

Minor Spills

Hazard: Low.
Immediate actions:

• Notify all persons in the room.
• Confine spill immediately.
• Decontaminate (see procedures in Radioactive Material Users Guide).
• Follow-up: Survey personnel, equipment and area.

Major Spill (Usually involving millicurie amounts)

Hazard: Radiation and contamination hazard may be high.
Immediate Actions:

• Notify all persons in the room.
• Confine spill immediately.
• Barricade area of contamination.
• Notify Radiation Safety Office at 502-852-5231 (off hours: Notify DPS at 502-852-6111).
• Decontaminate (see procedures in Radioactive Material Users Guide, Radiation Safety Officer may supervise).
• Follow-up: Further decontamination may be necessary as determined.

Spills Involving External Contamination

Hazard: Potential hazard greatest with wounds.
Immediate Actions:

• Flush wounds and eyes, wash skin with soap and water.
• Prompt action is necessary to minimize radiation dose and uptake.
• Notify Radiation Safety Office at 502-852-5231 (off hours: Notify DPS at 502-852-6111).
• Follow-up: For additional decontamination information, see the Radioactive Material Users Guide.

Accidental intake of radioactivity (swallowing, inhaling)

Hazard: Hazards varies with uptake and toxicity of isotope.
Immediate Actions:

• Contact Radiation Safety Office immediately at 502-852-5231. (off hours: Notify DPS at 502-852-6111).
• Actions vary depending on radioisotope and chemical form.

Fires involving radioactivity

Hazard: Internal hazard from airborne activity. Contamination may be spread by firefighting efforts.
Immediate Actions:

• Notify all persons in the area.
• Activate nearest fire alarm.
• Notify DPS at 502-852-6111.
• Notify Radiation Safety Office at 502-852-5231.
• Follow-up: After fire is extinguished, decontaminate under the supervision of the Radiation Safety Office.

Spills involving airborne radioactivity

Hazard: Uptake of radioactive material is possible, contamination easily spread.
Immediate Actions:

• Shut off source of contamination, if possible.
• Notify others to vacate the area.
• Shut windows and doors.
• Call the Radiation Safety Office at 502-852-5231 (off hours: Notify DPS at 502-852-6111).
• Notify Physical Plant at 502-852-5696 to shut off HVAC system.
• Follow-up: Do not re-enter area. Further decontamination may be necessary.

Radioactive Spill Clean-up

• Maximum permissible contamination levels are: 2000dpm/100cm2. All areas must be cleaned and wipe tested until removable contamination is below this limit. For all nuclides except iodine which is 200 dpm/100cm2.
• The authorized user is responsible for providing personnel to clean up any contamination which results from work conducted under his/her authorization.
• All spills must be cleaned up immediately.
• All spills must be reported to the Radiation Safety Office at 502-852-5231.
• Custodial personnel shall not be used for clean-up of contamination.
• The Radiation Safety Office will monitor and supervise the clean-up of all major spills and accidents.

Pre-planning to Prevent or Minimize Radioactive Spills

Pre-planning is the best way to prevent spills or control them when they do happen. DEHS will assist you in conducting emergency planning for your area. Contact the Environmental Operation & Hazardous Materials Manager for assistance. Assistance in pre-planning for radioactive emergencies in your laboratory can be obtained from DEHS by contacting the Radiation Safety Officer.

Radioactive Spill Response Equipment

Any area that uses radioactive material on a regular basis should consider having the following items readily available for cleaning up spills:

• Absorbent material to control the spread of contamination.
• Shoe covers and gloves.
• Decontaminant solutions for skin and/or surfaces.
• Cleaning supplies: paper towels, soft bristle brush and mild soap or detergent.
• Plastic bags with labels for waste collected during clean-up.
• Tape or signs to mark off contaminated areas.

Radioactive Material Users Guide

The Radiation Safety Office will determine the reporting responsibilities.