Requirements for Possession of Sealed Sources and Brachytherapy Sources

(A) A licensee in possession of any sealed source or brachytherapy source shall follow the radiation safety and handling instructions supplied by the manufacturer or equivalent instructions approved by the Agency. (B) A licensee in possession of a sealed source shall: (1) Test the source for leakage before its first use, unless the licensee has a certificate from the supplier indicating that the source was tested within six months before transfer to the licensee; and (2) Test the source for leakage at intervals not to exceed six months or at intervals approved by the Agency, another Agreement State, a Licensing State or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the Sealed Source and Device Registry. (C) To satisfy the leak test requirements of 105 CMR 120.536(B), the licensee shall measure the sample so that the leak test can detect the presence of 185 becquerels (0.005 :Ci) of radioactive material in the sample. If the leak test reveals the presence of 185 becquerels (0.005 :Ci) or more of removable contamination, the licensee shall: (1) Immediately withdraw the sealed source from use and store, repair or dispose of it in accordance with the requirements of 105 CMR 120.100 and 120.200; and, (2) File a report with the Agency within five days of receiving the leak test results with the Agency describing the equipment involved, the test results, and the action taken. (D) A licensee shall retain leak test records in accordance with 105 CMR 120.590(I)(1). (E) A licensee in possession of a sealed source or brachytherapy source, except for gamma stereotactic radiosurgery sources, shall conduct a semi-annual physical inventory of all such sources. The licensee shall retain each inventory record in accordance with 105 CMR 120.590(I)(2).