Radiation Safety

Environment, Health, & Safety

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Radiation Safety at SUNY Plattsburgh

The purpose of this Handbook is to inform the College community in a concise user-friendly manner about the rules and regulations pertaining to the safe use of ionizing radiation. It is important that all persons who work in radiation-handling laboratories adhere to these procedures so as to ensure that safe working are present. Safety comes from a partnership of knowledge and trust between the users and the regulators. The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) looks forward to working with radiation handlers to ensure safe working conditions so that the College's research and educational mission can be met.

The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) has supplements to this Handbook for use by the college community. They contain detailed information and helpful hints on the following subjects;

  • Introduction to Radioactivity
  • Radiation Safety Principles
  • Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation
  • Radiation Contamination Surveys
  • Radioactive Waste Disposal
  • Standard Operating Procedures for Iodination
  • Standard Operating Procedures for X-ray Machines
  • Policy for Pregnant Radiation Workers at SUNY Plattsburgh
  • Standard Operating Procedures for:
    • Hydrogen-3
    • Carbon-14
    • Suflur-35
    • Phosphorus-32
    • Chromium-51
    • Iodine-125

The procedures listed in this Handbook are required by law. Failure to follow any procedures is considered a violation, which must be corrected in a time commensurate with the severity of the violation. Failure to correct the violation, or repeat violations, may lead to suspension of radiation handling privileges and the possible loss of the College's license to use radioactive materials.

Abbreviations Used in this Handbook

  • ALARA - As Low As Reasonably Achievable
  • CFR - Code of Federal Regulations
  • DOH - New York State Department Of Health
  • DOT - Department Of Transportation
  • EH&S - Environmental Health & Safety
  • NRC - Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • RSC - Radiation Safety Committee
  • RSO - Radiation Safety Officer

Learn More About Radiation Safety at SUNY Plattsburgh

Contact Information

Cathleen Eldridge, Associate Director
Office: Sibley Hall 421
Phone: (518) 564-5009
Fax: (518) 564-5082
Email: eldridcm@plattsburgh.edu