Recordkeeping in Laboratories
This page provides guidelines for the documentation of radioactive material use and surveys in research laboratories working with radioactive material. Laboratory’s licensed for radioactive material use are required to follow the rules and regulations set forth by Einstein and associated regulatory agencies, which includes complying with the recordkeeping. When the laboratory is inspected quarterly by EH&S staff, these records will be checked. All records should be kept within the laboratory’s yellow Radiation Safety Binder.
Records that should be kept on file include:
- Wipe test results (required monthly)
- Packing slips from radioactive material packages
- Inventory records
- Training certificates
- Sink disposal records
- Survey Record of Disposed Radioactive Waste from Decay-in-Storage
Wipe Testing: Wipe testing is a means for testing for radioactive contamination. Wipe tests are to be performed by laboratory personnel on a monthly basis at a minimum in a laboratory where radioactive material is used. This recordkeeping also includes results of wipe tests conducted after decontaminating an area to confirm that it is clean.
The results of the wipe tests must be documented and kept on file for review by Radiation Safety during the quarterly inspections. The laboratory is required to have a wipe test map indicating the locations tested should be kept with the results. According to local regulations the wipe test results must be recorded in disintegrations per minute (dpm). If your results are in counts per minute (cpm), the results must be converted to dpm (See the Radiation Safety Manual for info on converting from cpm to dpm). The results printout should be directly from the liquid scintillation counter or gamma counter, not typed up. Please refer to the Radiation Safety Manual for information on contamination limits.
Packing Slips: The packing slips that accompany a radioactive material package should be kept within the records. This assists inspectors with conveniently providing information on previous orders.
Inventory Records: Licensed laboratories must keep a log of the amount of radioactive material purchased, used and disposed of as radioactive waste. The Record of Radioactive Material Form is used to track this. Each stock container of radioactive material shall be accompanied by a form. As researchers use the radioactive material they should document the date, the amount of activity used, the date of waste disposal and the amount of activity into a specific waste stream, as well as the balance remaining until there is nothing left in the stock. On the form the researcher will indicate how much activity went to waste such as dry solid waste, liquid waste, liquid scintillation vials, sink disposal, or animal carcasses. The activity of the radioactive waste is an estimate of the amount being disposed of.
Training Certificates: All staff members in a licensed radioactivity laboratory must attend Radiation Safety Training provided by Einstein’s EH&S Department. If an individual passes the training quiz they will receive credit for the course and receive a training certificate which shall be kept on file in the laboratories Radiation Safety Binder.
Sink Disposal Records: Any radioactive waste disposed of through sink disposal shall be documented on a Sink Disposal Log. If more logs are needed, please print more out. The sink disposal limits such as daily average and the monthly limit are printed on the bottom of the log for common radioisotopes.
Survey Record of Disposed Radioactive Waste from Decay-in-Storage: If a laboratory decays their radioactive waste inside of their laboratory for 10 half-lives they must complete a Survey Record of Disposed Radioactive Waste from This only applies to radioisotopes with a half-life of 90 days or less as they may be decayed onsite.
These records are checked quarterly during EH&S radiation safety inspections as well as by outside inspectors by agencies such as the NYC Department of Health. Please contact the Radiation Safety Officer with any questions.