Researchers wishing to use any of the MIT Gammacell irradiator facilities are required to complete the appropriate training and registration before starting work. Irradiation is the process of exposing materials to gamma radiation to achieve a technical goal, such as for medical applications, plastics, automobile parts, cells, spores, and others on the RPP approved list. MIT presently owns four Gammacell irradiators, which are available for use by MIT-affiliated researchers; GC40E, GC40, GC220 and GC220 Excel.
For researchers needing an item irradiated on a one-time basis please contact the Radiation Protection Program and we will perform the irradiation for you.
To register to use any of the four Gammacell irradiators, complete the following forms.
Each new experiment is required to submit a write-up for review and approval. Email RPP.
Unescorted Access Application
For unescorted access to the facilities, the Gammacell Irradiator Unescorted Access Application Packet must be completed and submitted for a comprehensive background check. RPP will notify the researcher of approval status and offer the required security training.
There are two levels of training that are required. An annual refresher is required to maintain access to the facilities.
Gammacell Irradiator Safety – In-Class or Online
The course covers basic radiation safety as it pertains to Gammacell irradiators for those who are not registered radiation workers at MIT and will only use an irradiator. This course is a prerequisite to the hands–on training specific to one of four different Gammacell irradiators (courses 342c, 343c, 344c, and 345c). There is an exam at the conclusion of this course. Researchers who have taken the Radiation Safety: Laboratory course for the use of unsealed radioactive material (course 301c) will not need to take course 341c/w, as the material is also covered in course 301c.
To be able to access the online course you must join the appropriate training group.
• Start with MIT Atlas Learning Center
• In the MIT Learning Center, go to My Profile and click Join a Group/Join Another Group >>Environmental Health and Safety >> Radiation Safety and join the Gammacell Irradiator group in which you will be using.
Gammacell Irradiator Usage – Hands-On Training
The trainee must be an MIT registered radiation worker or have taken the EHS course 341c/w. Each of these hands-on trainings are intended to qualify a researcher/technician for the use one of four Gammacell irradiators on campus. The course is held at the designated facility and is approximately 30 minutes in length. There is an exam at the conclusion of the training that must be submitted to the Radiation Protection Program to serve as documentation of the trainee as a registered user of the irradiator.
The Gammacell irradiator user must attend this annual refresher in order to continue to have access to the irradiator facility. Topics may include radiation safety, radiation dosimeters, the security alarm system and any updates or changes made during the year. Several sessions of this course are usually held in January. Users who do not attend this course will be removed from the active user list and lose irradiator facility access until the refresher training has been completed.
External dose monitoring is required for use of the irradiator facilities.
Please remember to return your dosimeters to RPP at the end of each 3-month cycle or when you plan to leave MIT. Failure to return dosimeters will result in a warning and subsequent removal of access if not resolved.
If you have issues with accessing the facilities below are some common reasons for loss of access and how to rectify the problem.
If you have changed your MIT ID card email RPP to update. Please notify RPP before your next planned irradiation.
If you have not been following dosimeter protocol or not returning your dosimeters. Email RPP to rectify your dosimeter status.
Every 10 years re-enrollment is required. Email RPP to re-enroll.
Security
No unauthorized users are permitted in the irradiator facilities.
No undergraduate shadowing or escorting permitted in irradiator facilities.
Use of facilities by non-MIT researchers and undergraduates may be coordinated through the RPP office.
Terminate Registration
Notify RPP of your status change when ceasing use of facilities or leaving MIT.
Emergency Response/Notification
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
If landline phone is ringing PICK IT UP.
Follow the instructions of the RPP or MIT Officer on the line.
In case of exposure or suspected exposure to gamma radiation, proceed immediately to MIT Health.
In the event of fire or health-threatening injuries, call 100 or 617-253-1212.
Promptly following any incident, ensure your PI is informed.
Contact the EHS- Radiation Protection Program Office (617-452-3477; x100 from a campus phone or 617-253-1212 from cell phone) to report the incident.
Researchers wishing to use any of the MIT Gammacell irradiator facilities are required to complete the appropriate training and registration before starting work. Irradiation is the process of exposing materials to gamma radiation to achieve a technical goal, such as for medical applications, plastics, automobile parts, cells, spores, and others on the RPP approved list. MIT presently owns four Gammacell irradiators, which are available for use by MIT-affiliated researchers; GC40E, GC40, GC220 and GC220 Excel.
For researchers needing an item irradiated on a one-time basis please contact the Radiation Protection Program and we will perform the irradiation for you.
To register to use any of the four Gammacell irradiators, complete the following forms.
Each new experiment is required to submit a write-up for review and approval. Email RPP.
Unescorted Access Application
For unescorted access to the facilities, the Gammacell Irradiator Unescorted Access Application Packet must be completed and submitted for a comprehensive background check. RPP will notify the researcher of approval status and offer the required security training.
There are two levels of training that are required. An annual refresher is required to maintain access to the facilities.
Gammacell Irradiator Safety – In-Class or Online
The course covers basic radiation safety as it pertains to Gammacell irradiators for those who are not registered radiation workers at MIT and will only use an irradiator. This course is a prerequisite to the hands–on training specific to one of four different Gammacell irradiators (courses 342c, 343c, 344c, and 345c). There is an exam at the conclusion of this course. Researchers who have taken the Radiation Safety: Laboratory course for the use of unsealed radioactive material (course 301c) will not need to take course 341c/w, as the material is also covered in course 301c.
To be able to access the online course you must join the appropriate training group.
• Start with MIT Atlas Learning Center
• In the MIT Learning Center, go to My Profile and click Join a Group/Join Another Group >>Environmental Health and Safety >> Radiation Safety and join the Gammacell Irradiator group in which you will be using.
Gammacell Irradiator Usage – Hands-On Training
The trainee must be an MIT registered radiation worker or have taken the EHS course 341c/w. Each of these hands-on trainings are intended to qualify a researcher/technician for the use one of four Gammacell irradiators on campus. The course is held at the designated facility and is approximately 30 minutes in length. There is an exam at the conclusion of the training that must be submitted to the Radiation Protection Program to serve as documentation of the trainee as a registered user of the irradiator.
The Gammacell irradiator user must attend this annual refresher in order to continue to have access to the irradiator facility. Topics may include radiation safety, radiation dosimeters, the security alarm system and any updates or changes made during the year. Several sessions of this course are usually held in January. Users who do not attend this course will be removed from the active user list and lose irradiator facility access until the refresher training has been completed.
External dose monitoring is required for use of the irradiator facilities.
Please remember to return your dosimeters to RPP at the end of each 3-month cycle or when you plan to leave MIT. Failure to return dosimeters will result in a warning and subsequent removal of access if not resolved.
If you have issues with accessing the facilities below are some common reasons for loss of access and how to rectify the problem.
If you have changed your MIT ID card email RPP to update. Please notify RPP before your next planned irradiation.
If you have not been following dosimeter protocol or not returning your dosimeters. Email RPP to rectify your dosimeter status.
Every 10 years re-enrollment is required. Email RPP to re-enroll.
Security
No unauthorized users are permitted in the irradiator facilities.
No undergraduate shadowing or escorting permitted in irradiator facilities.
Use of facilities by non-MIT researchers and undergraduates may be coordinated through the RPP office.
Terminate Registration
Notify RPP of your status change when ceasing use of facilities or leaving MIT.
Emergency Response/Notification
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
If landline phone is ringing PICK IT UP.
Follow the instructions of the RPP or MIT Officer on the line.
In case of exposure or suspected exposure to gamma radiation, proceed immediately to MIT Health.
In the event of fire or health-threatening injuries, call 100 or 617-253-1212.
Promptly following any incident, ensure your PI is informed.
Contact the EHS- Radiation Protection Program Office (617-452-3477; x100 from a campus phone or 617-253-1212 from cell phone) to report the incident.