DRSO Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 10 & 17, 2004 11h30 to 13h30

June 10, 2004 Joseph Vincelli Attendance June 17, 2004 Gerry Baquiran, Polypeptide Lab Attendance Jennifer Bisson, Psychiatry Robin Beech, Parasitology Ali Fazel, Anatomy Daina Brumelis, Civil Engineering Colin Lister, Biochemistry Judy Campbell, Dietetics Dusica Maysinger, Pharmacology Claude Lahaie, Waste Management Program Anna McNicoll, Biology Dave Meek, Natural Resources Science (replacing Dr. Leo Nikkinen, Physics Whyte) Joan Papillon, Nephrology Dana Praskickova, Animal Science Isabelle Richer, Earth & Planetary Sciences Sylvie Wise, Microbiology & Immunology Elsa Schotman, Meakins Christie Rachid Zerrouki, Psychology Hélène Ste-Croix, Animal Resources Centre Jean François Théberge, Cancer Centre Absent Alexander Wahba, Chemistry Ajjamada Kushalappa, Plant Science John Orlowski, Physiology ESO Robert Robb David Swan

Agenda

1) DRSO Appointment 2) Common Radioisotope Labs Facilities a. Update on locations b. Inspections of sites c. Actions to be taken 3) Liquid Scintillation Counter a. Location b. Radiation Health Risks c. Maintenance 4) Clandestine Radioactive Activities a. Is there a permit? b. Is there a lab classification? c. Is there signage? 5) Lab housekeeping

Minutes

1) J. Vincelli reviewed the list of DRSO. All persons with the exception of one individual will continue as DRSO for the next coming year. For Natural Resource Sciences, Mr. Dave Meek will replace Dr. Whyte as DRSO.

D:\Docs\2018-04-05\0183d60a6ccb0811a2a8aba49431f1a3.doc 2) J. Vincelli explained the problem associated with common radioisotope lab facilities, they are not wipe tested for radioactive surface contamination and housekeeping is a constant issue. It was discussed that these areas need to be inspected and it would be best that the representative DRSO accompany the EH&S personnel during the annual inspection.

A list of common radioisotope lab facilities was created to maintain a proper inspection log. The list is attached with this document.

3) J. Vincelli, D. Swan and R. Robb discussed proper maintenance of the liquid scintillation counter. This instrument can become contaminated therefore it must be wipe tested. In addition, these machines contain permanently housed sealed radioactive sources (Ba- 133 or Ra-221) and accessible sealed radioactive sources (H-3 and C-14) that are not required to be leak tested, and they don’t pose a radiation health hazard. The H-3 and C- 14 reference vials release very little radioactivity while the Ba-133 or Ra-221that do are properly shielded. Therefore, the location of the liquid scintillation counter is not a health risk to the occupants in the room. (See email attachment)

4) J. Vincelli explained the problem of clandestine radioactive activities in certain departments. It is important that these areas, be identified with a lab information card; a copy of the internal radioisotope permit, a copy of the CNSC lab classification poster and finally, the bilingual radiation warning sign.

5) Finally, J. Vincelli repeated the importance of keeping laboratory facilities clean and tidy.

Next DRSO meeting is scheduled in December 2004.

D:\Docs\2018-04-05\0183d60a6ccb0811a2a8aba49431f1a3.doc Attachments

∙2004 DRSO Member List ∙David Swan’s email ∙List of Common Rooms

D:\Docs\2018-04-05\0183d60a6ccb0811a2a8aba49431f1a3.doc