Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024
Subpart
1.
Testing and record keeping requirements.
A licensee that uses a sealed source must have the source
periodically tested for leakage. The licensee must keep a record of leak test
results in units of microcuries and retain the record for inspection by the
commissioner for three years after the leak test is performed.
Subp. 2.
Method of
testing.
The wipe of a sealed source must be performed using a leak
test kit or method approved by the commissioner, the NRC, or an agreement
state. The wipe sample must be taken from the nearest accessible point to the
sealed source where contamination might accumulate. The wipe sample must be
analyzed for radioactive contamination. The analysis must be capable of
detecting the presence of 0.005 microcuries (185 Bq) of radioactive material on
the test sample and must be performed by a person approved by the commissioner,
the NRC, or an agreement state to perform the analysis.
Subp. 3.
Test frequency.
A. Each sealed source, except an energy
compensation source (ECS), must be tested at intervals not to exceed six
months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been
made within the six months before the transfer, the sealed source may not be
used until tested.
B. Each ECS that
is not exempt from testing under subpart 5 must be tested at intervals not to
exceed three years. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a
test has been made within the three years before the transfer, the ECS may not
be used until tested.
Subp.
4.
Removal of leaking source from service.
A. If the test conducted under subparts 1 and
2 reveals the presence of 0.005 microcuries (185 Bq) or more of removable
radioactive material, the licensee must remove the sealed source from service
immediately and have it decontaminated, repaired, or disposed of by a person
licensed by the commissioner, the NRC, or an agreement state to perform these
functions. The licensee must check the equipment associated with the leaking
source for radioactive contamination and, if contaminated, have it
decontaminated or disposed of by a person licensed by the commissioner, the
NRC, or an agreement state to perform these functions.
B. The licensee must submit a report to the
commissioner within five days of receiving the test results. The report must:
(1) describe the equipment involved in the
leak;
(2) include the test
results;
(3) describe any
contamination that resulted from the leaking source; and
(4) describe the corrective actions taken up
to the time the report is made.
Subp. 5.
Exemptions.
The following sealed sources are exempt from the periodic
leak test requirements under this part:
A. hydrogen-3 (tritium) sources;
B. sources containing licensed material with
a half-life of 30 days or less;
C.
sealed sources containing licensed material in gaseous form;
D. sources of beta- or gamma-emitting
radioactive material with an activity of 100 microcuries (3.7 MBq) or less;
and
E. sources of alpha- or
neutron-emitting radioactive material with an activity of ten microcuries (0.37
MBq) or less.
Statutory Authority: MS s
144.1202;
144.1203
