An RMUA gives a principal investigator (the authorized user) authority to order, receive, use, and dispose of the types of radioactive materials specified in the RMUA. Each new RMUA is reviewed and approved by the RSC.
A new investigator who needs to order and use radioactive material or a radiation-generating machine must submit an RMUA and details of his or her training and experience to the RSO. An RMUA must be submitted before the first order of radioactive material is placed. Interim approval may be requested by the PI submitting a new application or amendment, to be reviewed by the Chair of the RSC and the RSO.
RMUA and RMUA Amendment forms are available directly in Forms Central.
The RMUA requests the following information:
For use of sealed sources, LinAc, or animal work, complete the addendum form.
Each new RMUA application requires that the RSO visit the lab, contact the PI, or send a representative to discuss the facilities available to the PI. The following criteria must be met before an investigator is allowed to order or use radioactive material at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center:
RMUAs are also used to track use of radiation-producing machines; not all portions of the RMUA may be applicable in those cases.
After a new RMUA is submitted, the RSO and RSC chairperson can give interim approval for 120 days if the RMUA is complete and the radioactive material will be used safely according to the RMUA. Interim approval allows the PI to order radioactive material. By the end of 120 days, the RMUA will have been reviewed by the RSC and if satisfactory, approved. If approved, the investigator is then termed an authorized user and may use radioactive material within listed locations for five years.
At any time during the approval process, the RSO or any member of the RSC can request further information from the RMUA applicant or can request that equipment be obtained to ensure safe use of the radioactive material.
Permission to use radioactive material can be revoked at any time by a simple majority of the RSC if the PI cannot prove that radioactive material under his or her supervision is being used properly and safely, or if the rules and regulations of the state DOH or this manual are not being followed in the lab(s) under that investigator's direction.
A postdoctoral fellow, staff scientist, or other person who operates under his or her own grant in a lab of an authorized PI is considered to be working under that PI's RMUA.
Revisions to an existing RMUA must be submitted to the RSO on an RMUA Amendment Form or in a letter to the RSO. Amendments must be made for the following circumstances:
New staff will be added to the lab when the RSO receives the Radiation Worker and Dosimeter Application. Lab staff changing labs should notify the RSO by submitting the same application form with only the top section filled out.
An RMUA is approved for five years. At the end of five years, the RSO will request that the PI complete and submit a new RMUA application incorporating all amendments made over the last five years. All renewals involving radioactive materials use in labs must be reviewed and approved by the RSC.
The radioactive material inventory limit is the maximum activity of a radionuclide that a PI can have on hand at any one time. The PI proposes an inventory limit on the RMUA or amendment for each radionuclide to be used. An inventory limit can be changed by submitting an RMUA amendment to EH&S.
The inventory limit is used to:
The type of approval process an RMUA amendment goes through depends on the inventory limit. The larger the inventory limit, the more stringent the approval process. This helps focus the RSC's attention on the higher-risk uses of radioactive material.
If the inventory limit (new or amended) is equal to or less than those listed in Table 3.5.1, the RSO can approve the RMUA amendment and submit a summary at the next RSC meeting. At that time, the committee can request changes or additional information from the PI.
Table 3.5.1: Inventory Limits the RSO Can Approve |
|||||
Radionuclide |
mCi |
Radionuclide |
mCi |
Radionuclide |
mCi |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
H-3 |
100 |
Ni-63 |
100 |
I-123 |
50 |
C-14 |
100 |
Ga-67 |
100 |
I-125 |
10 |
Na-22 |
10 |
Se-75 |
100 |
I-129 |
10 |
Na-24 |
50 |
Br-82 |
100 |
I-131 |
10 |
P-32 |
100 |
Kr-85 |
100 |
Xe-133 |
100 |
S-35 |
100 |
Rb-86 |
100 |
Cs-137 |
10 |
Cl-36 |
10 |
Sr-89 |
100 |
Gd-153 |
50 |
K-42 |
100 |
Sr-90 |
1 |
Gd-159 |
100 |
Ca-45 |
10 |
Zr-88 |
100 |
Sm-153 |
100 |
Cr-51 |
100 |
Y-90 |
100 |
Ho-166 |
100 |
Fe-55 |
100 |
Mo-99 |
100 |
Ir-193 |
100 |
Fe-59 |
50 |
Tc-99m |
100 |
Ra-226 |
1 |
Co-57 |
100 |
Cd-109 |
100 |
Am-241 |
10 |
Co-60 |
10 |
In-111 |
100 |
Cf-252 |
10 |
The inventory limit for radionuclides not listed is 10 mCi. These values represent, at most, 10% of the quantity limits for broad licenses (WAC 246-235-140 Schedule B, Column 1).
If the inventory limit is greater than the limits in Table 3.5.1, the RMUA amendment may receive interim approval by the RSC chairperson and the RSO and submitted at the next RSC meeting. The committee may request changes or additional information from the PI at the committee review. The RSO can approve all use of the irradiators and x-ray-generating machines.