Radiation Safety

At Drexel University radiation and radioactive materials may be used for education, scientific research, medical diagnosis and medical therapy. Because radiation can affect health and safety when used improperly, care must be taken to assure its proper use and to minimize unnecessary radiation exposures. The Radiation Safety Office at Drexel University is responsible for managing the beneficial uses of radiation and radioactive material while protecting our students, patients, visitors, faculty and professional staff from potential hazards as well as assuring compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

The policies and procedures, which make up the radiation safety program, are contained in the university’s Radiation Safety Manual. Please refer to the manual for the current policies and procedures.

The RSO provides a variety of services, including:

• Monitoring radiation exposures, including surveys, personal monitoring, and bioassays.
• Investigating spills, incidents, and other unusual events involving radioactive material.
• Investigating overexposures.
• Conducting an ALARA program to assure the radiation exposures are kept as low as reasonably achievable.
• Maintaining an inventory of all radioactive material at university.
• Disposing radioactive waste.
• Surveying packages of radioactive material upon receipt.
• Transporting radioactive material in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation requirements.
• Auditing/inspecting laboratories for compliance with the radiation safety program.
• Conducting independent surveys of laboratories.
• Training radiation workers through short courses, in-services, and meetings.
• Approving users and uses of radioactive materials.
• Maintaining requisite records.

Contact the RSO at 215.895.5919 or via email at radiationsafety@drexel.edu to request personal monitoring (film badges and ring TL dosimeters), to report accidents, incidents, or spills, to request services, or if there is any question as to the proper procedures.

For emergencies after normal business hours, contact the emergency operator who will contact the radiation safety personnel on call.