Radiation Detection And Measurement Instruments
Hollie Kipps
Discover our lab-proven and field-ready instruments that address a wide range of applications including worker protection, dose monitoring, threat detection, area monitoring, and environmental monitoring.
The permanent closure of a nuclear power plant is a labor intensive and potentially hazardous endeavor. Download this free eBook to learn more about how advanced, integrated radiation detection and radioactivity measurement instruments are used to ensure a nuclear facility's safe removal from service.
Autoclaves are classified as pressure vessels. All autoclaves with an internal capacity of 5 cubic feet or larger must be inspected at least annually according to Iowa Code. Repairs to most autoclaves on campus are done by Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M).
Because an autoclave uses saturated steam under high pressure to achieve sterilizing temperatures, proper use is important to ensure operator safety. Prevent injuries when using the autoclave by observing the following rules:
A biosafety cabinet (BSC) is not a chemical fume hood. Fume hoods are designed to remove chemical fumes and aerosols from the work area. BSCs are designed to provide a clean work environment and protection for employees who work with biological hazards. BSCs use vertical laminar airflow to create a barrier to airborne particles like microorganisms. They use High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters to clean air going into the work area and out to the environment. The air in most BSCs is recirculated over the work area through the HEPA filter. The HEPA filter removes airborne particles from the air but does not remove chemical fumes.
Use a BSC to manipulate human pathogens or antineoplastics that will likely create aerosols (such as vortexing open tubes, pipetting, opening caps after centrifuging, sonicating, aspirating with a syringe, etc.). Use for manipulating airborne transmitted pathogens (such as Brucella abortus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, etc.).
Using open flames, such as Bunsen burners, in a BSC disrupts the airflow, compromising the worker's and the work's protection. In addition, if the burner's flame is too large or ignites a wash bottle of ethanol (often found in a BSC), the excessive heat may melt the adhesive holding the HEPA filter together or burn holes in the filter media. Alternative methods, such as electric incinerators or disposable inoculating loops, are recommended.
Remember that the ultraviolet (UV) light in your BSC is only useful as an extra precaution in keeping the work area decontaminated between uses, because UV light has very little power to penetrate even through a dust particle. After each use, thoroughly clean and decontaminate the work area using a chemical disinfectant, such as an iodophor.
Improper airflow or filter leaks in a BSC could expose laboratory personnel to biohazardous materials. To ensure that BSCs on campus are providing necessary protection to workers and the environment, it is essential that the BSCs be routinely inspected. EH&S coordinates this service annually for all BSCs on campus that are used to contain biological hazards and will notify you when annual testing will be performed. To schedule your BSC for testing, you must submit an account number to EH&S for the certification testing charge. Testing is done according to the nationally accepted standards of NSF International. Your BSC should have a label stating its last test date (see example).
In addition to annual testing, BSCs must be re-tested whenever they are moved or have filters changed. A qualified servicing company must do filter changes and repairs. Call EH&S at 294-5359 to schedule testing or for a referral to a qualified repair company.
If you plan to purchase a new BSC, notify the Biosafety Officer or Biosafety Specialist at 294-5359 for assistance in choosing the appropriate BSC for your needs and to get the BSC on the schedule for annual certification testing. Use the following criteria when purchasing a BSC:
A standard chemical fume hood is a fire- and chemical-resistant ventilated enclosure with an opening in front (face) with a moveable window (sash) to allow a user access. It is designed to protect personnel and prevent contaminants from escaping into the laboratory environment.
Compressed and liquefied gases are routinely used in laboratories and other Iowa State operations. The Gas Cylinder Safety Guidelines (PDF) apply to all Iowa State University employees who use or otherwise handle compressed or liquefied gases or systems that use compressed or liquefied gases. The guidelines provide information on the safe use of compressed and liquefied gases and inform employees of potential health and physical hazards associated with gas and cylinder usage.
Iowa State promotes the safe use of gases by offering training and information on the proper storage, handling, usage, and disposal of gases and gas cylinders. Only trained and qualified personnel can use compressed and liquefied gases.
The Laser Safety Factsheet (PDF) provides information on laser classes and laser examples. Iowa State University allows the use of Class 2 and Class 3A/R laser pointers without prior approval. The use of Class 3B and Class 4 laser pointers requires the approval of the Laser Safety Officer.
ANSI Z136.1 requires that lasers and laser systems have appropriate warning labels and that the rooms in which they operate bear appropriate warning signs. Signs for laser laboratory doors are provided by the LSO; however, laboratory supervisors and laser users/operators must be familiar with the signage requirements.
The LSO should be contacted prior to ordering Class 3B and Class 4 lasers or laser systems. Including the LSO as part of your ordering process will decrease procurement delays and reduce potential regulatory deficiencies. The LSO can recommend protective measures to consider for the specific device or system.
Open flames are not recommended for use in the lab. Open flames generate aerosols, which may contain pathogens. The heat emitted by constant flame disrupts airflow in biosafety cabinets and clean benches and may damage the filters in these units. Open flames present a fire hazard in the lab.
EH&S is responsible for calibrating portable survey instruments at Iowa State University. When the instrument is due for calibration, an EH&S staff member will inspect, inventory, and calibrate the meter. A calibration sticker is affixed to the instrument, indicating the calibration date, when the next calibration is due, and the name of the calibrator. However, lab personnel must ensure they use a meter with current calibration. Do not use a meter not calibrated within the last 12 months. Call EH&S at (515) 294-5359.
Principal Investigators are ultimately responsible for the safe use of X-ray equipment and must ensure that all personnel using the equipment have up-to-date safety and device-specific training. The requirements for using X-ray equipment on campus are in the Radioactive Materials Safety Manual (PDF) and the X-Ray Safety Manual (PDF).
Principal Investigators must receive specific authorization from EH&S to use radiation-producing equipment on campus. EH&S conducts an annual inventory and inspection of the radiation-producing equipment and submits the required registration information to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
We provide highly reliable equipment for detection and identification of radioactive and nuclear materials in order to prevent their illicit transfer. Our portable solutions are used to search and localize sources of gamma, beta, alpha and neutron radiation.
For many years ECOTEST TM devices have been in operational service with the Ukrainian Army and delivered to power-wielding structures of other countries worldwide. The separate military Ukrainian 19th Battalion of NBC-defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which served a peacekeeping mission in the Arabian Gulf, was equipped with our devices. Military ecologists use our devices to examine military firing ranges and other facilities within the international program of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test -Ban Treaty.
Ministry of Internal Affairs criminalists have adopted ECOTEST TM instruments for personal radiation safety, as well as for obvious and hidden search for radioactive sources and their further identification.
Our company received its first state order from the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine more than 15 years ago. Since then and until now fruitful and effective cooperation has been developing between us.
Radiation measurement instruments of ECOTEST TM are included in the equipment list of the Ukrainian MES units and are successfully used by the units of civil defense and fire-fighting and rescuing troops.
ECOTEST TM products have been successfully used for a long time at nuclear power plants in Ukraine, France, Bulgaria, Korea and other countries worldwide. Our devices are effectively used at nuclear power facilities for:
Metals are not just recyclable, they are infinitely recyclable what makes them some of the most re-used materials in the world. Thus, there is always a risk of radioactive contamination during the melting process.
It is essential to carry out radiation monitoring in the mining industry during extraction of iron ore, metals and other raw materials. ECOTEST TM products are effectively used in the mining industry for:
In order to ensure monitoring of large facilities, freights and vehicles we have developed the devices that can quickly find sources of gamma, beta, alpha and neutron radiation. With our devices you will be able to detect and identify radioactive and nuclear materials to prevent their illicit transfer.
Over the years the apartments, built from hazardous radioactive materials, may impose a negative impact on their residents. When building new houses, office centers, supermarkets or other architectural objects one should have a responsible attitude to the choice of construction materials. ECOTEST TM products allow to effectively control radiation safety of building materials and construction projects and search for ionizing radiation sources.
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