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 proper use and to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure. Drexel's Radiation Safety Office (RSO) 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.

Please refer to current policies and procedures, located in the University's Radiation Safety Manual.

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 overexposure.
• Conducting an ALARA program to assure the radiation exposures are kept as low as reasonably achievable.
• Maintaining an inventory of all radioactive material at the 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 215.762.4050 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 ask procedural questions.

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