Re: Therapeutic I-131 waste

[gfeldman@uci.edu (Gerald Feldman)]

Hi again:

Kimberly, we did about twenty I-131 therapies last year, and have a 
reasonibly good procedure in place to reduce contamination in the room.  We 
spend about 4-6 hours preparing the room (plastic backed paper on the floor; 
plastic wrap or 4 mil polyethylene sheeting on sink, toilet, TV, etc.; 
rubber gloves over door knob to bathroom and handle to flush toilet; etc.).  
Rad waste is collected into three separate containers: one for linen, one 
for regular wastes, and one for food wastes.  We hold all of these for 
decay-in-storage for a minimum of 10 half-lives (81 days), before survey and 
disposal/recycle.  (The food waste is stored in our rad waste freezer, of 
course.)  Decon of the room involves removal of the floor and accessory 
coverings, followed by an initial survey (both survey meter and wipe tests), 
and decontamination as necessary.  Room teardown can take from 6 to 16 
hours, depending upon the amount and location of contamination.  My tech is 
currently working on revising our written procedures, so I don't have our 
most up to date procedures to send to you.  If you have any specific 
questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them. 

Jerry

.......................reply separator................................
>
>Hi my name is Kimberly Knight (Radiation Safety Specialist) at Medical 
>College of Wisconsin and 3 hospitals in my area.  I'm new to this and 
>could use all the help and information possible.  I've had ? on room 
>preps ect. and if you have time could you fax or e-mail me any 
>information needed to get started on the right track.  I have a 
>person semi training me (if you get my drift) I'm not sure he knows 
>whats going on either.  Thanks for your time and looking forward to hearing
>from you.
>						K.K.
>
>e-mail
>kknight@post.its.mcw.edu
>
>fax.  
>(414) 226-8905
>
>address:
>Kimberly Knight
>Radiation Safety Specialist
>8701 Watertown Plank Road
>Milwaukee WI 53266
>
>
>
***************************************************************************
  Gerald Feldman, M.S.
  Radiation Safety Officer
  UCI Medical Center
  101 City Drive South, Rt. 107
  Orange, California  92668
  Voice:  (714) 456-5607;     FAX:  (714) 634-8639
  E-mail: gfeldman@uci.edu
***************************************************************************