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Radioactive Material Safety

Overview

The Radiation Protection Program (RPP) provides a safe working area for radiation workers, the general public, and the environment while allowing creative and breakthrough research to continue. Radioactivity from unstable atomic nuclei and electromagnetic radiation of all frequencies are essential for research and learning environments at MIT. Each of these poses a different type and level of risk. RPP has the extensive base of experience and detection equipment that can help anticipate and identify these hazards.

RPP staff offer assistance and guidance for working with radioactive material or devices but it is the Radiation Protection Committee (RPC) that gives the authority to work with these hazards. A PI requesting an authorization for the use of radioactive material or an amendment to an existing authorization will be granted when approved by the RPC.

Security

Stock vials must be kept locked up at all time when not in use. The main lab must be locked up after hours or when no one is in the lab.

Radiation Waste

To submit a radiation waste pick-up request visit our Radio Waste page.

Emergency Response/Notification

In Case of Emergency:

  1. Stop work immediately.
  2. Contain the radiation hazard.
  3. If possible, alert everyone to exit the lab.
  4. In case of exposure or suspected exposure to laser radiation, proceed immediately to MIT Health.
  5. In the event of fire or health threatening injuries, call 100 or 617-253-1212.
  6. Promptly following any incident, ensure the PI and/or laser supervisor is informed.
  7. Contact the EHS- Radiation Protection Program Office (617-452-3477; x100 from campus phone or 617-253-1212 from cell phone) to report the incident.

Overview

The Radiation Protection Program (RPP) provides a safe working area for radiation workers, the general public, and the environment while allowing creative and breakthrough research to continue. Radioactivity from unstable atomic nuclei and electromagnetic radiation of all frequencies are essential for research and learning environments at MIT. Each of these poses a different type and level of risk. RPP has the extensive base of experience and detection equipment that can help anticipate and identify these hazards.

RPP staff offer assistance and guidance for working with radioactive material or devices but it is the Radiation Protection Committee (RPC) that gives the authority to work with these hazards. A PI requesting an authorization for the use of radioactive material or an amendment to an existing authorization will be granted when approved by the RPC.

Security

Stock vials must be kept locked up at all time when not in use. The main lab must be locked up after hours or when no one is in the lab.

Radiation Waste

To submit a radiation waste pick-up request visit our Radio Waste page.

Emergency Response/Notification

In Case of Emergency:

  1. Stop work immediately.
  2. Contain the radiation hazard.
  3. If possible, alert everyone to exit the lab.
  4. In case of exposure or suspected exposure to laser radiation, proceed immediately to MIT Health.
  5. In the event of fire or health threatening injuries, call 100 or 617-253-1212.
  6. Promptly following any incident, ensure the PI and/or laser supervisor is informed.
  7. Contact the EHS- Radiation Protection Program Office (617-452-3477; x100 from campus phone or 617-253-1212 from cell phone) to report the incident.