Radiation & Laser Safety

Radioactive Materials (RM)

The use of RM is highly regulated, regardless of amount used including small research quantities and high exposure irradiators. They are regulated under a license issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Radiation Control Program (MRCP), sanctioned by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

The Radiation Permit is required for any use of radioactive materials, devices, and lasers.

• This permit application will be reviewed by EHS Radiation Safety and will include a meeting with the faculty member to review the application and discuss safety considerations for the specific activity. EHS will make a recommendation to the UMass Radiation Use Committee (RUC), which will vote on approval for use. 
• Approved applications will be reviewed and renewed annually; complete the Radiation Permit Renewal to update the approval permit or to add isotopes to the permit. 

Laboratories are responsible for notifying EHS Radiation Safety when an order has been placed an order for radioactive material via the Radiation Shipment Notification Form in SciShield. This will help to expedite the order delivery to the lab. 

All shipments must be delivered to Laboratory Health and Safety Services (LHSS) at 179 Lederle Graduate Research Tower. The following types of supplies are not permitted to be delivered directly to the labs by a commercial shipping company or by someone using a private vehicle:

• Radioactive material, radiotracer, sealed radioactive source or other device containing radioactive material, or material that emits ionizing radiation.