LAC 33:XV.544. Leak Testing, Repair, Tagging, Opening, Modification, Replacement, and Records of Receipt and Transfer of Sealed Sources

A. The replacement of any sealed source fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device and leak testing, repair, tagging, opening, or any other modification of any sealed source shall be performed only by persons specifically authorized to do so by the administrative authority, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or any other agreement state. B. Each sealed source shall be tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed six months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the six-month period prior to the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested. The leak testing of the source shall be performed using a method approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or by an agreement state. C. The leak test shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie (185 Bq) of removable contamination on the sealed source. An acceptable leak test for sealed sources in the possession of a radiography licensee would be to test at the nearest accessible point to the sealed source storage position, or other appropriate measuring point, by a procedure which has been approved in accordance with LAC 33:XV.326.E.1.e. Records of leak test results shall be kept in units of microcuries (becquerels) and maintained for inspection by the department for three years. D. Any test conducted pursuant to LAC 33:XV.544.B and C that reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie (185 Bq) or more of removable radioactive material shall be considered evidence that the sealed source is leaking. The licensee shall immediately withdraw the equipment involved from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of in accordance with LAC 33:XV. Within five calendar days after obtaining results of the test, the licensee shall file a written report with the Office of Environmental Compliance describing the equipment involved, the test results, and the corrective action taken. E. Each radiographic exposure device shall have permanently attached to it a durable label which has, as a minimum, the instruction: "Danger―Radioactive Material―Do Not Handle―Notify Civil Authorities if Found." F. Each exposure device using depleted uranium (DU) shielding and an "S" tube configuration must be tested for DU contamination at intervals not to exceed 12 months. The analysis must be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcuries (185 Bq) of radioactive material on the test sample and must be performed by a person specifically authorized by the administrative authority, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or any other agreement state to perform the analysis. Should such testing reveal the presence of 0.005 microcuries (185 Bq) or more of removable DU contamination, the exposure device must be removed from use until an evaluation of the wear on the S-tube has been made. Should the evaluation reveal that the S-tube is worn through, the device may not be used again. DU shielded devices do not have to be tested for DU contamination while in storage and not in use. Before using or transferring such a device, however, the device must be tested for DU contamination if the interval of storage exceeded 12 months. A record of the DU leak test must be made in accordance with Subsection C of this Section. G. Each licensee or registrant shall maintain records showing the receipts and transfers of sealed sources and devices using DU for shielding and retain each record for inspection by the department for three years. These records must include the date, the name of the individual making the record, radionuclide, number of becquerels (curies) or mass (for DU), and manufacturer, model, and serial number of each source of radiation and/or device, as appropriate.