1. Bins for solid radioactive waste must be labelled with the radionuclide they contain. Bins must not contain a mixture of radionuclides unless this is unavoidable, e.g. in the case of dual labelling experiments. When full, bench-top bins should be emptied into the larger radioactive waste bins provided by your RPS. Inform your RPS immediately when a larger bin becomes full. See Safety Services' Mangement of Solid Radioactive Waste document for further details.
2. Vials/tubes containing scintillation waste are collected in black drums (available from Stores). Drums must be labelled with the radionuclide they contain and, as for solid waste, different radionuclides should not be mixed unless it is unavoidable.
3. Aqueous radioactive waste is disposed of via designated sinks. Every radioactive waste disposal sink has a yellow sign on it, displaying the radioisotopes you are permitted to put down the sink and the maximum activity of each isotope that can be disposed of to that particular sink, per month. You must not use any other sinks for the disposal of radioactive waste. Beside each radioactive waste sink is an Aqueous Radioactive Waste Disposal Record that must be filled in every time you do a disposal. You must not exceed the aqueous waste disposal limits. The School could be prosecuted by The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) if you do. If it becomes apparent that disposal limits are inadequate, Group Leaders should review their RADNUC forms.
4. Some procedures, e.g. 32P cell labelling experiments, generate aqueous waste of such a high activity that it must be stored for decay before it can be disposed of to drains. When planning experiments of this nature Safety Services must be consulted.
5. Experiments that produce radioactive gas must be carried out in a designated fume hood. The activity released to atmosphere must be recorded on the log sheet provided. The log sheet states the radioisotope and the daily limit. You must not exceed the gaseous waste disposal limit. The School could be prosecuted by SEPA if you do.
6. If you produce any other type of radioactive waste, e.g. clinical or organic solvent, ask your RPS for advice on storage and final disposal.