La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § XV-2014

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section XV-2014 - Leak Testing of Sealed Sources

A. Requirements. Each licensee using sealed sources of radioactive material shall have the sources tested for leakage. Records of leak test results shall be kept in units of microcuries and maintained for inspection by the department two years after the next required leak test is performed or until transfer or disposal of the sealed source.

B. Method of Testing. Tests for leakage shall be performed only by persons specifically authorized to perform such tests by the Office of Environmental Compliance, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an agreement state, or a licensing state. The wipe of a sealed source must be performed using a leak test kit or method approved by the department, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or an agreement state. The test sample shall be taken from the surface of the source, source holder, or from the surface of the device in which the source is stored or mounted and on which one might expect contamination to accumulate. The test sample shall be analyzed for radioactive contamination by a person approved by the department, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or an agreement state to perform the analysis. The analysis shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie (185 Bq) of radioactive material on the test sample.

C. Interval of Testing

1. Each sealed source of radioactive material, except an energy compensation source (ECS), shall be tested at intervals not to exceed six months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor indicating that a test has been made prior to the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested. If, for any reason, it is suspected that a sealed source may be leaking, it shall be removed from service immediately and tested for leakage as soon as practical.

2. Each ECS that is not exempt from testing in accordance with Subsection E of this Section 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.

D. Leaking or Contaminated Source. If the test reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie (185 Bq) or more of leakage or contamination, the licensee shall immediately withdraw the source from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated, repaired, or disposed of in accordance with these regulations. The licensee shall check the equipment associated with the leaking source for radioactive contamination and, if it is contaminated, have it decontaminated or disposed of in accordance with these regulations. A report describing the equipment involved, the test results, any contamination that resulted from the leaking source, and the corrective action taken shall be filed in writing with the Office of Environmental Compliance within five days of receiving the test results or within 30 days of discovery of a leaking or contaminated source.

E. Exemptions. The following sources are exempted from the periodic leak test requirements of LAC 33:XV.2014.A-D:

1. hydrogen-3 (tritium) sources;

2. sources of radioactive material with a half-life of 30 days or less;

3. sealed sources of radioactive material in gaseous form;

4. sources of beta- and/or gamma-emitting radioactive material with an activity of 100 microcuries (3.7 MBq) or less; and

5. sources of alpha- or neutron-emitting radioactive material with an activity of 10 microcuries (0.370 MBq) or less.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § XV-2014

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Nuclear Energy Division, LR 13:569 (October 1987), amended by the Office of Air Quality and Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection Division, LR 18:34 (January 1992), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:2604 (November 2000), LR 29:1471 (August 2003), LR 30:1667 (August 2004), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 31:2538 (October 2005), LR 33:2190 (October 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2001 et seq.