N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.12.18

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 17, September 10, 2024

Section 20.3.12.18 - LEAK TESTING OF SEALED SOURCES

A. Testing and recordkeeping requirements. Each licensee who uses a sealed source of radioactive material shall have the source tested for leakage periodically. Records of leak tests results shall be kept in units of microcuries and maintained for inspection by the department for 3 years after the leak test is performed.

B. Method of testing. The wipe of a sealed source shall be performed using a leak test kit or method approved by the department, NRC or an agreement state. The wipe sample shall be taken from the nearest accessible point to the sealed source where contamination might accumulate. The wipe sample shall be analyzed for radioactive contamination. The analysis shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie (185 becquerels) of radioactive material on the test sample and shall be performed by a person approved by the department, NRC or an agreement state to perform the analysis.

C. Test frequency.

(1) Each sealed source (except an energy compensation source (ECS)) shall be tested at intervals not to exceed 6 months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the 6 months before the transfer, the sealed source may not be used until tested.

(2) Each energy compensation source (ECS) that is not exempt from testing in accordance with Subsection E of this section shall be tested at intervals not to exceed 3 years. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the 3 years before the transfer, the energy compensation source (ECS) may not be used until tested.

D. Removal of leaking source from service.

(1) If the test conducted pursuant to Subsections A and B of this section reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie (185 becquerels) or more of removable radioactive material, the licensee shall remove the sealed source from service immediately and have it decontaminated, repaired or disposed of by a department, NRC or an agreement state licensee that is authorized to perform these functions. The licensee shall check the equipment associated with the leaking source for radioactive contamination and, if contaminated, have it decontaminated or disposed of by a department, NRC or an agreement state licensee that is authorized to perform these functions.

(2) The licensee shall submit a report to the department within 5 days of receiving the test result. The report must describe the equipment involved in the leak, the test results, any contamination which resulted from the leaking source and the corrective actions taken up to the time the report was made.

E. Exemptions. The following sealed sources are exempt from the periodic leak test requirements set out in Subsections A through D of this section:

(1) hydrogen-3 (tritium) sources;

(2) sources containing licensed material with a half-life of 30 days or less;

(3) sealed sources containing licensed material in gaseous form;

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

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

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.12.18

20.3.12.18 NMAC - Rp, 20.3.12.1208 NMAC, 6/30/2011