Most research laboratories do not have the types or quantities of radioactive materials to pose a significant health threat; however, if radioactive material is spilled, you must ensure that no one becomes contaminated and that the contamination is confined to the lab.
In the event of a spill, please do not hesitate to call the Environmental Health & Safety Department . The EHS is here to assist you in controlling contamination and cleaning up spills. Be assured that there won't be any negative consequences to reporting a spill - no one's job, appointment or position will be jeopardized due to reporting a spill or accident involving radioactive materials to the EHS.
To ensure the University's compliance with federal regulations for exposure to ionizing radiation and contamination control levels, the EHS must be involved in spills or potential personnel contamination incidents. These incidents include: contamination of an individual's skin or clothes (including shoes), the ingestion, absorption or inhalation of radioactive materials, or the contamination of work surfaces outside the immediate workstation (including bench tops, fume hood surfaces, lab equipment or furniture, and any floor contamination). If you suspect that any of these incidents may have occurred, please do not hesitate to call the EHS.
What to do in an incident involving radiation: