Handling & Disposal

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Can we please get your advice on this one question?


  1. Delay and decay

  2. Dilute and disperse

  3. Concentrate and contain



The above figure Radioactive wastes containment



Personal Protective Clothing

The following are the required PPE for a worker that comes into contact with any radiation source:

  1. A full-length lab coat. Full-length lab coat should be worn closed with sleeves rolled down.
  2. Disposable gloves. Long disposable gloves should be worn and the lab coat tucked into the gloves.
  3. Close-toed shoes. Sandals or other open-toed shoes should never be worn while working with radioactive materials.
  4. Safety glasses. Safety glasses should be worn for any radioisotope procedure especially where there is a potential for the build-up of pressure that could release a spray of material.
  5. A tape or a rubber band.  It is for protecting the skin of the wrists by keeping the lab coat cuffs from hanging down or dragging across contaminated surfaces.
  6. Extra clothing. One should have an extra set of clothing and shoes in the lab in case his/her clothing becomes contaminated.

How to minimize personal hazards when working in a radiation laboratory:

  1. Observe all radiation signs.
  2. Do not empty radioactive trash.
  3. Do not use or service radioactive labeled equipment without authorization from radiation safety.

Radiation Sign

Storage and Disposal of Radioactive Materials:

Radioactive materials must be stored in lockable metal cabinets or refrigerators at designated locations in a laboratory. These areas should be labeled with the "Caution Radioactive Material" signs and should be protected against unauthorized access.

Radioactive Materials in a sealed metallic container

Proper shielding should be arranged to prevent emission or spillage of radioactive materials. Once opened, all vials containing unbound sources, example; radioiodine, should not be stored in refrigerators but in fume hoods and should be tightly sealed.

All waste contaminated with radioisotopes must be disposed as radioactive waste. Solid waste should be packed in clear plastic bags and should not contain pourable liquids or animal carcasses. Needles, pipettes and other sharp objects should be placed in a puncture-proof sharps container. Some liquid waste can be diluted until their activities drop below acceptable levels, and then disposed as normal waste into the sewer system.

For one to discharge any radioactive material, he must seek for permission from the radiation safety officer by providing estimated quantity to be discharged. Some non-dischargeable radioactive materials might need to be stored or disposed by returning to the manufacturer or to the Radiation Board.


1. Delay and decay method is used for

A) Intermediate level wastes

B) Short half-life radionuclides

C) High level wastes

D) All


1. b) Short half-life radionuclides.



2.  Oregon State University. (2018). Environmental Health and Safety. Retrieved from https://ehs.oregonstate.edu/sites/ehs.oregonstate.edu/files/pdf/LabHazardAwareness-nonLabPersonnel.pdf

3. Princeton University. (2018). Environmental Health and Safety. Retrieved from https://ehs.princeton.edu/laboratory-research/radiation-safety/radioactive-materials/handling-radioactive-materials-safely

4. Wikipedia Encyclopedia. (2018). Storage and Disposal of Radiation waste. Retrieved from http://www.cityu.edu.hk/cse/safety/Safety_training/Course/irs/storage/index.html

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