Radioactive Waste Guidelines

Only radioactive materials that are on the PI’s permit may be discarded through EH&S.  If the material is not listed, please contact Radiation Safety. 
Radioactive wastes must be segregated by PI, isotope, and type of radioactive waste.

By PI:

Radioactive isotope usage is tracked by PI.  Therefore, in common-use rooms, radioactive wastes must be kept separated from other PI’s wastes, even if they are of the same type.

By Isotope:

  • Long-lived isotopes (ex. 3H and 14C) may be consolidated in the same collection container provided they are the same type of waste and generated under the same PI. Please consult EH&S for guidance regarding other long-lived isotopes.
  • Short-lived isotopes, including any material with a half-life less than 90 days, must be:
    • Separated from each other whenever possible.
    • Segregated from long-lived isotopes.
    • Held for decay-in-storage by the lab or EH&S.  After decay and clearance, all radioactive labels and markings must be completely defaced or removed prior to disposal in the waste collection container.

Decay-in-storage guidelines:

  • A log with collection dates, activities, and isotopes must be maintained by the lab.
  • EH&S can provide space for decay-in-storage upon request, if necessary.  Please submit a radioactive waste pickup request.
  • Hold the material until the dose rate reading on contact is equal to background. The reading must be the same as the background level and all results must be recorded.

After decay, the waste will be disposed of as non-radioactive waste through EH&S. All radioactive labels must be removed or destroyed before discarding the items.  Final clearance must be completed by EH&S, please email [email protected] to request service.

By Radioactive Waste Type: 

Every effort must be made to minimize waste volumes. Accordingly, each type of radioactive waste must be separated.  Animal/biological, beta plates/96-well plates, dry solid waste, liquid scintillation vials, liquid waste must be separated from each other.  Please see the following guidelines for disposal of several common radioactive waste streams.

  • EH&S arranges periodic shipments of radioactive animal carcasses through an email communication to licensed PIs.  Additionally, if a lab generates radioactive animal carcasses, advanced notification may be made by submitting a radioactive waste pickup request.
  • Radioactive carcasses must be frozen prior to pick-up by EH&S.
  • Radioactive carcasses containing isotopes with half-lives less than 90 days must be held for a minimum of 10 half-lives by the lab for decay-in-storage (see above).  After decay, the lab should submit a request for clearance by emailing [email protected].
  • Radioactive carcasses with half-lives of greater than 90 days with an activity of greater than or equal to 0.05 uCi/g averaged over the weight of the animal must be arranged for disposal by EH&S by submitting a radioactive waste pickup request.
  • Animal bedding and feces may be disposed of as biological radioactive waste by submitting a radioactive waste pickup request. 
  • Red bags must only be used for potentially infectious materials, and not as a general liner for a radioactive waste container or for radioactive spill debris.
  • Beta Plates/96-well plates may be contained in 5, 14 or 30 gallon containers supplied by EH&S.  Additional containers, and container removal can be arranged by submitting a radioactive waste pickup request.
  • Waste collection containers must be closed when not actively adding radioactive waste to the container.
  • Scintillation fluids with a pH <2 or >12.5 or with a flash point <140oF generate potentially mixed wastes and must be avoided whenever possible.  Please contact EH&S for guidance prior to using corrosive or low flash point scintillation cocktails.
  • No liquids or sharps are permitted.
  • Radioactive sharps (pipette tips, needles etc.) must be capped and discarded in a rigid, puncture resistant container.  The outer container must be marked “SHARPS” in addition to the completed radioactive waste label.
  • Plastic pigs that previously contained radioactive isotope standard may be defaced (remove radioactive markings) and placed into dry solid waste containers.  However, lead lined pigs must be collected for recycling separately from all other radioactive waste types and may not be placed in dry solid waste containers.  Please contact [email protected] for additional guidance on lead lined pigs.
  • LSV’s waste may be contained in 5 gallon or 30 gallon containers supplied by EH&S. Additional containers, and container removal can be arranged by submitting a radioactive waste pickup request.
  • Waste collection containers must be closed when not actively adding liquid to the container.
  • Liquid scintillation standards must not be placed radioactive waste collection containers.  Please affix a completed radioactive waste label to a clear plastic bag and submit for a radioactive waste pickup request for disposal.
  • Vials must be intact with caps securely in place.
  • Scintillation fluids with a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5 or with a flash point less than 140oF generate mixed wastes and must be avoided whenever possible.  Please contact EH&S for guidance prior to using corrosive or low flash point scintillation cocktails.
  • Liquid waste may be contained in 10- or 20-liter carboys supplied by EH&S.  Additional containers, and container removal can be arranged by submitting a radioactive waste pickup request.  
  • Waste collection containers must be closed when not actively adding liquid to the container.
  • List the pH of the radioactive liquid waste on the radioactive waste label, if available.
  • Secondary containment trays must be used.
  • All chemical components, including the type of buffer, must be listed on the chemical constituents section of the radioactive waste label.
  • Hazardous Waste must not be mixed with radioactive liquid waste, whenever possible. (Examples: tritiated benzopyrene in ethyl acetate, 32P labeled GTP in chloroform, etc.)
    • There should be no generation of mixed waste without the prior notification of EH&S and the RSO.
    • Do not mix iodine waste with acids or oxidizers.
  • Only EH&S may dispose of radioactive liquid waste -- DO NOT POUR IT DOWN THE DRAIN.  Please refer to the EH&S No Drain Disposal Policy.

Smoke Detectors and Exit Signs Disposal
Please refer the EH&S Health & Safety manual section 4.5 for additional information.