Apply for Authorization to Use Radioactive Materials
For Non-Human Research

Only individuals who have applied for and have been issued a specific protocol can order and use radioactive materials at WFUBMC and WFU. An individual must meet the outlined experience and training criteria. Once the application is submitted, it is reviewed by the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and the General Radiation Safety Committee (GRSC). The RSO and GRSC will approve or deny individual applications; approved applications are valid for four years.

The applicant must have relevant experience handling the types of sources and radiation quantities commensurate with those requested in the application. The applicant must also abide by the rules and regulations as outlined in the Radiation Safety Handbook.

Application Information

A completed application requires the following information:

1. The applicant's name, degree, department, office telephone number and email address. The formal training of any new applicant including location and duration; list the radionuclides and typical activities that the applicant has handled.
2. A list of each isotope for which possession authorization is requested with the following information:
   1. maximum activity to be possessed
   2. experimental procedures, including:
      1. experimental design
      2. radiolabled compounds
      3. approximate activity per experiment
      4. estimated number of experiments per month
      5. type of laboratory animal, if applicable
   3. precautions to be taken for any volatile radionuclides
   4. iodinations and bioassays information, if applicable
3. A list of all rooms where radioactive materials will be used or stored. This includes waste storage areas and fume hoods used for radioactive purposes.
4. A list of all radiation detection equipment used (e.g., liquid scintillation counters (LSC), gamma counters and survey meters.) Include the manufacturer and model for each, as well as the internal source used in LSCs and probe types for survey meters.
5. Names of all employees who will work with radioactive materials for the applicant.
   Note: Anyone who handles radioactive materials must first attend a WFUHS radiation safety training session regardless of prior experience.
6. A description of radiation safety equipment used to protect individuals from radiation hazards. These include but are not limited to:
   1. radiation shielding
   2. remote handling devices
   3. secondary containment for liquids
7. List the forms and type of waste expected from the experiments.
8. Location of all documentation for this application.

Application Entry

The application can be completed either online or as a downloaded Word document. The online option has several advantages over the Word document:

1. validation
2. no limit on the number of requested nuclides, locations or employees
3. pop-up help windows

It is recommended that the web forms be used; the Word document has a limit of 10 nuclides, 12 locations and 10 employees that can be listed.

If the Word document option is chosen, the application will be put online for electronic review by the Radiation Safety Office and the GRSC. This makes it easier to change the application based on the review.

Please select your option.