F-18 Shipment

["Roy A. Parker" <70472.711@CompuServe.COM>]

Ken,
 
To ship a 1 Curie package of F-18 you should roughly follow the
following outline based on the requirements in 49 CFR 171-178:
     Training
     Classification
     Packaging
     Marking
     Labeling
     Documentation
 
Without going into detail through the whole process a few comments of
potential questionable or problem areas:
     Classification: If the gas is compress it may require
                     classification as a subsidiary risk.
 
                     The A2 quantity of 0.5 TBq 13.5 Ci is the
                     applicable value not the A1 quantity reference in
                     one e-mail reply; since it becomes very difficult
                     to have a special form gaseous source.
 
     Packaging: This is going to be your biggest problem.  1 Ci of F-18
                will require a DOT 7A Type A package.  You can not buy
                this type of package off the shelf.  A box marked DOT 7A
                Type A can not be used as Type A package unless you have
                the complete Type A package documentation and your
                shipment is prepared precisely in accordance with that
                documentation.  A box which you received from a shipper
                such as Amersham, DuPont-Merck, Mallinckrodt, etc. that
                is marked USA DOT 7A Type A can not be used as a Type A
                package unless you have on file the Type A package
                documentation and prepare the shipment in accordance
                with that documentation.
 
The purchaser transporting this package becomes a private carrier and as
such is subject to all applicable carrier requirements.  If the package
is label Radioactive Yellow III then the purchaser (carrier) becomes
subject to the Motor Carrier Vehicle Safety Regulations which includes:
commercial driving  license, driver  training and  documentation, driver
qualification  documentation,   financial  responsibility  requirements,
pre-trip inspection,  safety equipment,  periodic load inspection during
trip  ,   hours  of   service  restrictions,   vehicle  inspection   and
maintenance, attendance  at vehicle,  periodic tire  inspections  during
trip, loading  and  separation  distance  requirements,  shipping  paper
availability and  others.   Some regulation  in  49  CFR  Part  177  are
applicable and the Motor Carrier Vehicle Safety Regulations are found in
49 CFR 390-397.
 
The issue  of reciprocity raised by one replier is not applicable.  As a
shipper you  must have  an applicable agreement state or NRC radioactive
material license  to possess,  use and  transfer  the  F-18  radioactive
material, including  preparation of  the shipment.   The  purchaser must
have an  applicable agreement  state or NRC radioactive material license
to receive, possess and use the F-18 radioactive material.  Transport by
the purchaser  as a  private  carrier  is  not  subject  to  reciprocity
requirements.
 
Roy A. Parker, Ph.D.
Radiation Physics Consultant
Federal Express Corporation
E-Mail: 70472.711@compuserve.com
Tel: 504-924-1473
Fax: 504-924-4269
Pager: 800-759-7243 PIN 30630
-------------( Forwarded computer archived letter follows )-------------
    08-Jan-97 15:36 CST
Sb: F18 transport
Fm: "Kenneth Douglass" > INTERNET:KDOUGLAS@WVUHSC1.HSC.WVU.EDU
 
Radsafers:
 
Our institution is interested in shipping F18 (cyclotron produced positron
emitter) out of state. It would be picked up by the purchaser at our
facility and transported in their vehicle. The maximum activity would be
about 1 Curie.
 
What are the regulatory requirements for this? I assume a shielded
package with Transport Index labeling. Is there any other precaution
or requirement to be aware of??
 
Is this covered by anyone besides the DOT?
 
Thanks for your help as always,
 
Ken
 
Kenneth H. Douglass, Ph.D.
Director, Radiation Safety
West Virginia University
West Virginia University Hospitals
PO Box 9006
Morgantown WV 26506
(304) 293-1549
(304) 293-4529 (fax)
kdouglas@wvu.edu