Hazardous Waste

Radioactive Waste

Liquid LLRW

HMM will provide 4 or 20 liter plastic waste jugs for low-level liquid radioactive wastes upon request. Segregate low-level liquid radioactive wastes by radionuclide(s) and by type:

    (1) Aqueous (water only)
    (2) Liquid Scintillation Cocktail (LSC) fluid
    (3) Chemicals / Solvents

    DO NOT combine the above separate liquid waste categories in the same waste jug. Please see the Table of Acceptable Segregation Categories for LLRW. (Use a separate jug for each category).

  • Use a funnel to decant liquid radioactive wastes into jugs to prevent external contamination.
  • First and second washes of reusable contaminated lab equipment should be discarded into OSEH jugs. Third and subsequent rinses may be discarded down sink drains if a sample’s count rate is < 3 times background.
  • Ensure biological (blood & urine), toxic or carcinogenic liquid radioactive wastes are made innocuous (i.e. bleach, Lysol detergent, other methods), non-toxic or otherwise neutralized prior to HMM collection. Special handling instructions or precautions should be given to HMM personnel when requesting waste collections containing biological, toxic or carcinogenic material.
  • Avoid acidic solutions of radioiodine waste; acidity enhances volatile nature of radioiodines.
  • Place approximately 500 ml of sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) in waste jugs containing I-125 or I-131; sodium thiosulfate binds free or volatile radioiodine and reduces volatility.
  • Ensure jugs are filled to scribed line on container, but no higher, prior to requesting HMM collection.
  • Ensure waste jugs are not leaking and free of external contamination prior to HMM collection.
  • Ensure caps are tightened securely on waste jugs prior to HMM collection.
  • Fill out a Container Label (instructions) and insert through the handle and affix the two adhesive ends together so that information is visible to OSEH personnel.
  • Fill out a LLRW Manifest (instructions).
  • Perform a contamination survey on the exterior of each waste container (instructions).

Jug
Liquid waste container with a properly attached label

NOTE: To ensure accurate reporting of radionuclidic activity content, jugs of liquid radioactive waste should be sampled and analyzed by lab personnel prior to HMM collection.

  • Do not discard liquid radioactive wastes down sink drains.
  • Do not fill waste jug beyond fill line scribed on jug (i.e. approximately 3" below cap).
  • Do not use any container, or jug cap, other than those provided by OSEH.
  • Do not write directly on OSEH waste jugs. (Note: jugs are cleaned, surveyed, re-labeled and re-used).
  • Do not discard solid material (eg. pipette tips, needles, filter paper, biological material , etc.) into liquid waste jugs.
  • Do not discard strong acids or bases (>1N) into OSEH plastic waste jugs. (Note: contact HMM for special handling or processing of acidic or caustic liquids).
  • Do not remove cap from waste jug containing volatile radioiodine or S-35 labeled methionine/cystenine unless performed in an OSEH approved exhaust hood.
  • Do not store uncapped waste jugs of volatile radioiodines or S-35.
  • Do not use glass or other containers for wastes unless approved by OSEH.
  • Do not mix bleach with radioiodines. (Note: bleach enhances volatile nature of radioiodines).

Note: HMM may elect not to collect waste jugs or may return jugs to the laboratory of origin for reprocessing if any of the following unacceptable conditions are noted:

  • External contamination detected on jugs;
  • Radionuclide(s), activity, or chemical content in the waste jugs are inconsistent with those identified by the waste generator;
  • Bi-phasic mixture of liquids in waste jug;
  • Cap on jug is not an OSEH approved cap;
  • Solid material discovered in jug (e.g. pipette tips, filter paper, needles, biological material, etc.);
  • Jugs filled beyond scribed line;
  • Jugs bloated (positive pressure) or crumpled (negative pressure);
  • Writing or defacing noted on jug surface and not on Container Label.