HAR §11-45-214. Leak testing of sealed sources

(a) Each licensee using sealed sources of radioactive material shall have the sources tested for leakage. Records of leak test results shall be kept in units of microcuries or becquerels and maintained for inspection by the department for three years. (b) Tests for leakage shall be performed only by persons specifically authorized to perform such tests by the department. The test sample shall be taken from the surface of the source, source holder, or from the surface of the device in which the source is stored or mounted and on which one might expect contamination to accumulate. The test sample shall be analyzed for radioactive contamination, and the analysis shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie (one hundred eighty- five becquerels) of radioactive material on the test sample. (c) Each sealed source of radioactive material shall be tested at intervals not to exceed six months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor indicating that a test has been made before the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested. If, for any reason, it is suspected that a sealed source may be leaking, it shall be removed from service immediately and tested for leakage as soon as practical. (d) If the test reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie (one hundred eighty-five becquerels) or more of leakage or contamination, the licensee shall immediately withdraw the source from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated, repaired, or disposed of in accordance with this chapter. A report describing the equipment involved, the test results, and the corrective action taken shall be filed with the department within five days of receiving the test results. (e) The following sources are exempt from the periodic leak test requirements of subsections (a) through (d): (1) Sources of radioactive material with a half-life of thirty days or less; (2) Sealed sources of radioactive material in gaseous form; (3) Sources of beta- or gamma-emitting radioactive material with an activity of one hundred microcuries (3.7 megabecquerels) or less; and (4) Sources of alpha-emitting radioactive material with an activity of ten microcuries (0.370 megabecquerels) or less. [Eff 11/12/99] (Auth: HRS §§321-10, 321-11, 321-71) (Imp: HRS §§321-1, 321-11(21), 321-71)