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Radiological

We work on and off MIT campus to ensure compliance with radiation safety regulations that keep the community safe.

Overview

Research in MIT labs may require the use of ionizing and non-ionizing sources. The Radiation Protection Program (RPP) has established safety programs for the safe and compliant use of these sources. The RPP has assembled a dedicated team of radiation safety subject matter experts in the safe handling/use of radioactive material, accelerators, gamma irradiators, x-ray machines, lasers, RF sources, and magnets. Our focus is to collaborate with the Departments, Labs, and Centers (DLCs) to establish protocols and guidelines to keep our researchers safe and to comply with governmental regulations. We welcome the opportunity to work with you.

The RPP receives its authority from the MIT Committee on Radiation Protection (RPC), a presidential appointed group of faculty, post-docs, graduate students, and administrators that are responsible for radiation safety at the institute. As a Standing Institute Committee reporting to the Vice President for Research, the Committee on Radiation Protection (RPC) is responsible for establishing, maintaining and advancing a radiation protection program at the Institute and its off-campus sites. The RPC reviews and approves all uses of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources through a system of authorization/registration programs, risk assessments, and monitoring programs managed by the Radiation Protection Program (RPP). The RPC is also responsible for Institute compliance with radiation protection regulations and standards promulgated by local, state and federal agencies, and with the conditions of approval noted in the Institute’s government-issued licenses. Within these parameters, the RPC works with students, staff and faculty to facilitate research projects using radiation sources of all types. The requirements of the RPC are delineated in the Required Procedures for Radiation Protection.

All uses of ionizing and non-ionizing sources require some form of registration of the work, hazard assessments, inventories, operating procedures, and training (classroom and lab-specific). Please explore our website to determine the requirements for your research and the radiation protection services we can provide to you.

General Questions

If you are working with radioactive materials or lasers, you may also have questions about:

Accelerator Safety

The use of accelerators on campus requires PI registration, machine inventory, hazard assessments, operating procedures for standard laboratory operations, access controls, quarterly inspections, and training (both classroom and lab-specific).

Gammacell Irradiator Safety

Researchers wishing to use any of the MIT Gammacell irradiator facilities are required to complete the appropriate training and registration before starting work.

Laser Safety

The MIT Laser Safety Program is established to provide staff, researchers, students and visitors with a safe laser use environmen

Magnets, UV and Radio Frequency

Non-ionizing radiation includes radio, microwave, infrared, and visible light.

Radioactive Material Safety

The Radiation Protection Program (RPP) provides a safe working area for radiation workers, the general public, and environment while allowing creative and breakthrough research to continue.

X-ray Safety

All use of x-ray devices requires the registration of devices, hazard assessments, inventories, x-ray normal operating procedures, and training (classroom and lab-specific).