Subchapter E. TESTING FOR LEAKAGE OR
CONTAMINATION OF SEALED SOURCES
Sec.
219.61. Testing for leakage or contamination of sealed sources.
219.62—219.66. [Reserved].§ 219.61. Testing for leakage or contamination of sealed sources.
(a) In addition to incorporation by reference of 10 CFR Part 20 (relating to standards for protection against radiation), a licensee possessing a sealed source shall assure that:
(1) Except as specified in subsection (b), each sealed source is tested for leakage or contamination and the test results are received before the sealed source is put into use unless the licensee has a certificate from the transferor indicating that the sealed source was tested within 6 months before transfer to the licensee.
(2) Each sealed source that is not designed to emit alpha particles is tested for leakage or contamination at intervals not to exceed 6 months or at alternative intervals specified in the Sealed Source and Device Registry approved by the Department, a state or the NRC.
(3) Each sealed source that is designed to emit alpha particles is tested for leakage or contamination at intervals not to exceed 3 months or at alternative intervals specified in the Sealed Source and Device Registry approved by the Department, a state or the NRC.
(4) For each sealed source that is required to be tested for leakage or contamination, the sealed source is tested for leakage or contamination before further use at any time there is reason to suspect that the sealed source might have been damaged or might be leaking.
(5) Except for brachytherapy sources manufactured to contain radium, tests for leakage for sealed sources shall be capable of detecting the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 µCi) of radioactive material on a test sample. Test samples shall be taken from the sealed source or from the surfaces of the container in which the sealed source is stored or mounted on which one might expect contamination to accumulate. For a sealed source contained in a device, test samples are obtained when the source is in the ‘‘off’’ position.
(6) The test for leakage for brachytherapy sources manufactured to contain radium shall be capable of detecting an absolute leakage rate of 37 Bq (0.001 µCi) of radon-222 in a 24-hour period when the collection efficiency for radon-222 and its progeny has been determined with respect to collection method, volume and time.
(7) Tests for contamination from radium progeny shall be taken on the interior surface of brachytherapy source storage containers and shall be capable of detecting the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 µCi) of any radium progeny which has a half-life greater than 4 days.
(b) A licensee need not perform tests for leakage or contamination on the following sealed sources:
(1) Sealed sources containing only radioactive material with a half-life of less than 30 days.
(2) Sealed sources containing only radioactive material as a gas.
(3) Sealed sources containing 3.7 MBq (100 µCi) or less of beta or photon-emitting material or 370 kBq (10 µCi) or less of alpha-emitting material.
(4) Sealed sources containing only hydrogen-3.
(5) Seeds of iridium-192 encased in nylon ribbon.
(6) Sealed sources, which are stored, are not being used, and are identified as in storage. The licensee shall test each of these sealed sources for leakage or contamination and receive the test results before any use or transfer unless it has been tested for leakage or contamination within 6 months before the date of use or transfer.
(c) Tests for leakage or contamination from sealed sources shall be performed by persons specifically authorized by the Department, an agreement state, a licensing state or the NRC to perform these services.
(d) Test results shall be kept in units of becquerel or microcurie and maintained for inspection by the Department.
(e) The following shall be considered evidence that a sealed source is leaking:
(1) The presence of 185 Bq (0.005 µCi) or more of removable contamination on any test sample.
(2) Leakage of 37 Bq (0.001 µCi) of radon-222 per 24 hours for brachytherapy sources manufactured to contain radium.
(3) The presence of removable contamination resulting from the decay of 185 Bq (0.005 µCi) or more of radium.
(f) The licensee shall immediately withdraw a leaking sealed source from use and take action to prevent the spread of contamination. The leaking sealed source shall be repaired or disposed of in accordance with this article.
(g) Reports of test results for leaking or contaminated sealed sources shall be made under § 219.227 (relating to reports of leaking or contaminated sealed sources).
Source The provisions of this § 219.61 adopted June 19, 1992, effective June 20, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 3135; amended November 17, 1995, effective November 18, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 5085; amended September 14, 2001, effective September 15, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 5239; amended July 16, 2004, effective July 17, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 3283. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (282373) to (282374).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 219.227 (relating to reports of leaking or contaminated sealed sources).
§ § 219.62—219.66. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of these § § 219.62—219.66 adopted June 19, 1992, effective June 20, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 3135; reserved November 17, 1995, effective November 18, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 5085. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (170407) to (170410).
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