All radionuclides used on campus are tracked through an inventory system managed by Radiation Safety Service (RSS). The inventory system ensures that Authorized Users receive only quantities of those radionuclides for which they are properly approved, trained, and equipped to receive and use (for more information refer to Authorization to Use Radioactive Material). In order to maintain these controls, authorized users must obtain approval for all radioactive material orders, transfers, and shipments from another institution, commercial vendor, or another authorized user.
Generally Licensed Devices Containing Radioactive Material
Notify RSS prior to procuring generally licensed devices that contain radioactive material (sealed sources), such as, but not limited to:
- Liquid scintillation counters (LSC)
- Static eliminator devices (air guns, bars, brushes, plastic rods)
- Exit signs containing tritium (H-3)
- Smoke detectors
- G-C/ECD devices
RSS must ensure such devices are properly labeled, inventoried, leak-tested, and/or disposed as radioactive waste. To accomplish this the Authorized User must ensure all radioactive materials are addressed and shipped to RSS (contact RSS for exceptions to this requirement or to arrange special-case shipments) at:
Radiation Safety Service University of Michigan Campus Safety Services Building 1239 Kipke Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1010 ATTN: Clearance Code # / Authorized User’s Name
NOTE: If the vendor indicates that information cannot be included in the attention line, then it must be included in the packing list for the item.
RSS will:
- Inventory items
- Initially survey packages
- Distribute packages to labs
The Authorized User will open, inspect, and survey radioactive materials packages as soon as possible after receipt in the laboratory:
- Perform contamination surveys of radioactive material packages using smears or an appropriate radiation-survey meter
- Maintain documentation of all such surveys for inspection using the form Radionuclide Receipt, Utilization and Disposal Record
- Contact RSS immediately at (734) 647-1143 if:
- You suspect the package or the package contents to be contaminated
- The package does not contain the correct amount or type of material ordered
- Deface or remove all radiation symbols, labels, markings or wording from the shipping carton prior to discarding in normal trash or recycling stations
NOTE: DO NOT recycle or discard in ordinary trash any package or container found to be contaminated. Contact RSS for assistance.
Ordering Radioactive Materials
The purchase or acquisition of radioactive materials by researchers at U-M is restricted and requires prior approval by RSS. Upon approval, RSS will provide a clearance code, which must be given to the vendor at the time of the order. RSS uses the clearance code numbers to identify the correct recipients of the radioactive material packages and to maintain an accurate inventory of radioactive material. NOTE: RSS has instructed radioactive material vendors to refuse any order that does not include a clearance code.
To order radioactive material:
- Call RSS, (734) 647-1143 to obtain a clearance code to order radioactive material, or fill out the online form. If you prefer to call please provide RSS with the following information:
- Name of the radionuclide
- Chemical form of the material
- Activity being ordered in millicuries (mCi) or microcuries (uCi)
- Vendor name
- Catalog number
- Select one of the ordering options and place the order according the option selected. When completing the order, verify the shipping address as (NOTE: Contact RSS for exceptions to this requirement or to arrange for special shipments):
Radiation Safety Service University of Michigan Campus Safety Services Building 1239 Kipke Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1010 ATTN: Clearance Code # / Authorized User’s Name
NOTE: If the vendor indicates that information cannot be included in the attention line, then it must be included in the packing list for the item.
RSS will:
- Inventory items
- Initially survey packages
- Distribute packages to labs
The Authorized User will open, inspect, and survey radioactive packages as soon as possible after receipt in the laboratory:
- Perform contamination surveys of radioactive material packages using smears or an appropriate radiation-survey meter
- Maintain documentation of all such surveys for inspection using the form Radionuclide Receipt, Utilization and Disposal Record
- Contact RSS immediately at (734) 647-1143 if:
- You suspect the package or the package contents to be contaminated
- The package does not contain the correct amount or type of material ordered
- Deface or remove all radiation symbols, labels, markings or wording from the shipping carton prior to discarding in normal trash or recycling stations
NOTE: DO NOT recycle or discard in ordinary trash any package or container found to be contaminated. Contact RSS for assistance.
Users at the U-M Dearborn or Flint Campuses
RSS liaisons place and process all orders for U-M Dearborn and Flint campuses.
- U-M Dearborn, contact the Director of Laboratories in the Department of Natural Sciences
- U-M Flint, contact the Laboratory Services Supervisor for the Department of Chemistry
Ordering Options
NOTE: U-M Procurement Services prohibits the use of P-cards for the purchase of restricted items, including radioactive materials. Refer to: Restricted Purchases & Special Approvals
Using a Purchase Order
Authorized users can order radioactive materials from any vendor through M-Pathways using the ePro system. However, some discounts may be realized by using a strategic supplier.
For specific instructions, refer to the document Radioactive Materials Procurement Protocols Using the M-Pathways ePro System.
Using Strategic Suppliers
Authorized users can order radioactive materials from a strategic supplier using a short code and by completing a strategic supplier-specific requisition form containing pertinent order information. The following companies are U-M approved strategic suppliers for radioactive materials:
- Fisher Scientific — MP Biomedical Radiochemicals
- EMD Millipore — Radiochemicals NOTE: You cannot use Marketsite to order radiochemicals from EMD Millipore.
For instructions and requisitions forms for strategic suppliers, contact Procurement Services at 764-8212, prompt 2 or refer to the Procurement Services website.
Call RSS at (734) 647-1143 if you have questions regarding the proper way to order radioactive materials.
