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.
To register for an Authorization to Possess and Use Radioactive Materials complete the following forms and submit them to RPP for a follow up interview.
Principal Procedures: Principal Procedures are required for each type of radioactive material use. Multiple procedures for each type of radioactive material may be used. Complete a separate Principal Procedure form for each process of radioactive material use.
To add or change any existing conditions on a radioactive materials authorization contact your Radiation Protection Officer. Changes that require an amendment include but are not limited to; adding or removing an isotope, adding a new procedure, adding or removing a registered rad room, etc.
Authorizations to Possess and Use Radioactive Materials require renewal every 2 years. To renew your authorization contact your Radiation Protection Officer. This renewal includes, but is not limited to, a retraining of registered radiation worker(s) and a comprehensive laboratory audit.
Consolidate your stock vials into one place, put in a rad waste pick-up request and update your inventory log book.
Consolidate all radiation contaminated equipment and shields on to one bench or hood. Separate chemical and biological hazards from the radiation contaminated items awaiting decommissioning.
Remove all items from any refrigerator or freezer needing decommissioning. Do not unplug freezers.
Gather all radiation waste into the proper waste bins and put in a waste pick-up request. Leave a note in the comments that the lab is terminating its authorization.
RPP requires all sealed sources to be registered under a Radioactive Materials Authorization or under a Generally Licensed Material or Device Registration. Leak testing and physical inventory is performed by the Radiation Protection Office bi-annually. Radiation Safety: Sealed Sources training is required for researchers using the material or device.
To determine what training is required, researchers will need to create an EHS Profile in the MIT Atlas Learning Center and select the activities applicable. Appropriate Radiation Safety training is require before starting work.
For researchers using radioactive materials, select the activity “Use radioactive materials” when creating/updating your EHS Profile.
Radiation Safety P1: Laboratory Web-course
This web-course is Part 1 of the Radiation Safety: Laboratory training requirements. This training is required for use and possession of radioactive materials and must be taken before Radiation Safety P2: Laboratory Practicum.
Course Number: EHS00300w
Radiation Safety P2: Laboratory Practicum
You MUST complete Radiation Safety: Laboratory Web-course EHS00300 before you will be allowed to register for Radiation Safety: Laboratory Practicum.
You may download the Radiation Worker Registration Form to complete and bring with you to the practicum or you will complete on at the training.
Course Number: EHS00302c
This course covers the fundamentals of radiation protection, safe handling of low activity sealed radioactive sources, specific requirements of project authorizations, the basic responsibilities of the researcher, and the services they can expect from the staff of the EHS Office’s Radiation Protection Program.
Course Number: EHS 00306c
Select the activity “Use sealed sources of radioactivity” when creating/updating your EHS Profile to see this course in your training needs.
This course provides information about the potential risks and hazards associated with the use of radioactive materials and radiation sources at the Institute. Included are a general awareness of radiation measurement, biological effects, radiation dose limits, background radiation exposures, and uses of radiation/radioactive materials at the Institute. Also covered is an explanation of MIT policy and procedures for persons working in radiation labs ancillary to the research.
Course Number: EHS00391c
This certificate-of-training course is designed for the researcher to safely perform the necessary protocols for their specific research which involves large sources of radioactivity used in PET/CT imaging studies. Written operating procedures are developed and reviewed with the Radiation Protection Program staff.
EHS00356c
Course Number: EHS00353c
Select “Use high activity sources of radiation” when creating/updating your EHS Profile to see this course in your training needs. Note, this activity also requires Radiation Safety P1: Laboratory Web-course and Radiation Safety P2: Laboratory Practicum.
Course Number: EHS00351c
Select “Use unbound radioiodine/iodination” when creating/updating your EHS Profile to see this course in your training needs. Note, this activity also requires Radiation Safety P1: Laboratory Web-course, Radiation Safety P2: Laboratory Practicum, Thyroid Monitoring: Baseline, and Dosimetry Assignment.
To order RAM, you must have up-to-date Radiation Safety Training. This training is valid for 2 years and then a refresher needs to be taken. This is usually given when the lab authorization is renewed. New PI’s must create a new authorization before ordering radioactive material.
You will need to know what is on and allowed under the labs authorization including:
Authorization Number
Possession Limit
Type of chemical and/or physical form.
To place the order, log into the MIT Coupa procurement system. In the Commodity dropdown, be sure to select Radioactive, found under Laboratory Supplies & Services.
Monitoring of an individual’s external radiation exposure is required by 105 CMR 120.226 (A) if the external occupational dose is likely to exceed 10% of the annual limit appropriate for the individual. Monitoring is also required by MIT’s Massachusetts Department of Public Health License Conditions if an individual is working with P-32, I-125 or other high energy x-ray or gamma ray emitters. In addition, monitoring is provided at the request of the user. Environmental monitors are posted in areas where radiation producing devices are used (accelerators, x-ray devices, etc.).
As a registered dosimetry user, you may now view your individual dosimetry record through Landauer by following the instructions below. For detailed instructions including screenshots, please see attached PDF.
Open Mozilla Firefox web browser (there may be display errors with other browsers, such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Microsoft Edge)
Contact RPP with any login problems; do not use the login or password retrieval buttons
Select account number 10020 from the drop-down menu
Click the Go button
Refer to the images on the page for guidance to retrieve your individual dose report.
*Account and serial numbers are located on the back of the whole-body dosimeter (badge). To view them, simply detach the dosimeter from the gray badge holder.
Dosimeter type according to monitoring needs:
Pa Luxel+ For Photon (x or gamma ray), Beta
Ja Luxel+ For Photon (x or gamma ray), Beta, Fast Neutron
Ta Luxel+ For Photon (x or gamma ray), Beta, Fast/Thermal/Intermed. Neutron
U Ring TLD For Photon (x or gamma ray), Beta – hand dose monitoring
Evaluations of the individual’s potential exposure levels are performed during the registration and training of radiation workers by the RPP staff. The badges will be delivered to the individual at the MIT address provided to RPP by the individual. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that the badges are returned at the end of the applicable period.
Do not ship these badges directly back to Landauer as this will result in additional fees for which the sender will be responsible. The wearing period may be weekly, monthly, or quarterly for reoccurring external dose monitoring.
Please send all badge to the EHS office in building N52-496 addressed to Bob Kirby.
Evaluations of a device’s potential for increasing exposures levels above background are performed during the registration and survey of the device by the RPP staff. The appropriate environmental “area” monitoring is determined and assigned.
For questions about your dosimetry please email: bobk@mit.edu; or call 617-452-3477 during office hours
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:
Stop work immediately.
Contain the radiation hazard.
If possible, alert everyone to exit the lab.
In case of exposure or suspected exposure to laser 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 the PI and/or laser supervisor is informed.
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.
To register for an Authorization to Possess and Use Radioactive Materials complete the following forms and submit them to RPP for a follow up interview.
Principal Procedures: Principal Procedures are required for each type of radioactive material use. Multiple procedures for each type of radioactive material may be used. Complete a separate Principal Procedure form for each process of radioactive material use.
To add or change any existing conditions on a radioactive materials authorization contact your Radiation Protection Officer. Changes that require an amendment include but are not limited to; adding or removing an isotope, adding a new procedure, adding or removing a registered rad room, etc.
Authorizations to Possess and Use Radioactive Materials require renewal every 2 years. To renew your authorization contact your Radiation Protection Officer. This renewal includes, but is not limited to, a retraining of registered radiation worker(s) and a comprehensive laboratory audit.
Consolidate your stock vials into one place, put in a rad waste pick-up request and update your inventory log book.
Consolidate all radiation contaminated equipment and shields on to one bench or hood. Separate chemical and biological hazards from the radiation contaminated items awaiting decommissioning.
Remove all items from any refrigerator or freezer needing decommissioning. Do not unplug freezers.
Gather all radiation waste into the proper waste bins and put in a waste pick-up request. Leave a note in the comments that the lab is terminating its authorization.
RPP requires all sealed sources to be registered under a Radioactive Materials Authorization or under a Generally Licensed Material or Device Registration. Leak testing and physical inventory is performed by the Radiation Protection Office bi-annually. Radiation Safety: Sealed Sources training is required for researchers using the material or device.
To determine what training is required, researchers will need to create an EHS Profile in the MIT Atlas Learning Center and select the activities applicable. Appropriate Radiation Safety training is require before starting work.
For researchers using radioactive materials, select the activity “Use radioactive materials” when creating/updating your EHS Profile.
Radiation Safety P1: Laboratory Web-course
This web-course is Part 1 of the Radiation Safety: Laboratory training requirements. This training is required for use and possession of radioactive materials and must be taken before Radiation Safety P2: Laboratory Practicum.
Course Number: EHS00300w
Radiation Safety P2: Laboratory Practicum
You MUST complete Radiation Safety: Laboratory Web-course EHS00300 before you will be allowed to register for Radiation Safety: Laboratory Practicum.
You may download the Radiation Worker Registration Form to complete and bring with you to the practicum or you will complete on at the training.
Course Number: EHS00302c
This course covers the fundamentals of radiation protection, safe handling of low activity sealed radioactive sources, specific requirements of project authorizations, the basic responsibilities of the researcher, and the services they can expect from the staff of the EHS Office’s Radiation Protection Program.
Course Number: EHS 00306c
Select the activity “Use sealed sources of radioactivity” when creating/updating your EHS Profile to see this course in your training needs.
This course provides information about the potential risks and hazards associated with the use of radioactive materials and radiation sources at the Institute. Included are a general awareness of radiation measurement, biological effects, radiation dose limits, background radiation exposures, and uses of radiation/radioactive materials at the Institute. Also covered is an explanation of MIT policy and procedures for persons working in radiation labs ancillary to the research.
Course Number: EHS00391c
This certificate-of-training course is designed for the researcher to safely perform the necessary protocols for their specific research which involves large sources of radioactivity used in PET/CT imaging studies. Written operating procedures are developed and reviewed with the Radiation Protection Program staff.
EHS00356c
Course Number: EHS00353c
Select “Use high activity sources of radiation” when creating/updating your EHS Profile to see this course in your training needs. Note, this activity also requires Radiation Safety P1: Laboratory Web-course and Radiation Safety P2: Laboratory Practicum.
Course Number: EHS00351c
Select “Use unbound radioiodine/iodination” when creating/updating your EHS Profile to see this course in your training needs. Note, this activity also requires Radiation Safety P1: Laboratory Web-course, Radiation Safety P2: Laboratory Practicum, Thyroid Monitoring: Baseline, and Dosimetry Assignment.
To order RAM, you must have up-to-date Radiation Safety Training. This training is valid for 2 years and then a refresher needs to be taken. This is usually given when the lab authorization is renewed. New PI’s must create a new authorization before ordering radioactive material.
You will need to know what is on and allowed under the labs authorization including:
Authorization Number
Possession Limit
Type of chemical and/or physical form.
To place the order, log into the MIT Coupa procurement system. In the Commodity dropdown, be sure to select Radioactive, found under Laboratory Supplies & Services.
Monitoring of an individual’s external radiation exposure is required by 105 CMR 120.226 (A) if the external occupational dose is likely to exceed 10% of the annual limit appropriate for the individual. Monitoring is also required by MIT’s Massachusetts Department of Public Health License Conditions if an individual is working with P-32, I-125 or other high energy x-ray or gamma ray emitters. In addition, monitoring is provided at the request of the user. Environmental monitors are posted in areas where radiation producing devices are used (accelerators, x-ray devices, etc.).
As a registered dosimetry user, you may now view your individual dosimetry record through Landauer by following the instructions below. For detailed instructions including screenshots, please see attached PDF.
Open Mozilla Firefox web browser (there may be display errors with other browsers, such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Microsoft Edge)
Contact RPP with any login problems; do not use the login or password retrieval buttons
Select account number 10020 from the drop-down menu
Click the Go button
Refer to the images on the page for guidance to retrieve your individual dose report.
*Account and serial numbers are located on the back of the whole-body dosimeter (badge). To view them, simply detach the dosimeter from the gray badge holder.
Dosimeter type according to monitoring needs:
Pa Luxel+ For Photon (x or gamma ray), Beta
Ja Luxel+ For Photon (x or gamma ray), Beta, Fast Neutron
Ta Luxel+ For Photon (x or gamma ray), Beta, Fast/Thermal/Intermed. Neutron
U Ring TLD For Photon (x or gamma ray), Beta – hand dose monitoring
Evaluations of the individual’s potential exposure levels are performed during the registration and training of radiation workers by the RPP staff. The badges will be delivered to the individual at the MIT address provided to RPP by the individual. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that the badges are returned at the end of the applicable period.
Do not ship these badges directly back to Landauer as this will result in additional fees for which the sender will be responsible. The wearing period may be weekly, monthly, or quarterly for reoccurring external dose monitoring.
Please send all badge to the EHS office in building N52-496 addressed to Bob Kirby.
Evaluations of a device’s potential for increasing exposures levels above background are performed during the registration and survey of the device by the RPP staff. The appropriate environmental “area” monitoring is determined and assigned.
For questions about your dosimetry please email: bobk@mit.edu; or call 617-452-3477 during office hours
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:
Stop work immediately.
Contain the radiation hazard.
If possible, alert everyone to exit the lab.
In case of exposure or suspected exposure to laser 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 the PI and/or laser supervisor is informed.
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.