PROCEDURES FOR MANAGEMENT
OF RADIOACTIVE MINERAL SPECIMENS (1996)

Virginia A. Mast, Curator, Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, Golden, CO 80401

1. General: Mineral specimens which contain more than .05% (500 ppm) uranium or thorium are regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Radiation Control Division. Campus personnel who acquire, posses, store, use, handle or dispose of radioactive mineral specimens must comply with provisions in State Radiation Control Regulations. The School's Environmental Health and Safety office administers these regulations on the campus. The Director of the Environmental Health and Safety is designated as the School's Radiation Safety Officer.
2. Hazards Associated with Radioactive Mineral Specimens: Three hazards are associated with radioactive mineral specimens:
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   1. Specimens release radon gas. Radon and its decay products are alpha emitting radionuclides which cause irradiation of sensitive lung tissues when inhaled.
   2. Many specimens are highly friable and produce airborne dust when handled. Inhalation or ingestion of radioactive dust causes irradiation of sensitive tissues. Radioactive material which enters the body may be retained for prolonged periods.
   3. Specimens release gamma radiation which causes external exposure to penetrating radiation. Some specimens have been found to have a surface exposure rate at high as 80 milliroentgens per hour. Handling a specimen with an exposure rate in this range can result in a significant exposure to radiation.
4. Coordinator: The Curator of the Geology Museum is designated as the Coordinator for acquisition, use, storage and disposal of all radioactive mineral specimens on the campus.
5. Acquisition and Disposal of Radioactive Mineral Specimens: No one may acquire or dispose of radioactive mineral specimens without the prior approval of the Geology Museum Curator. The Curator and the Radiation Safety Officer will specify handling procedures on a casebycase basis.
6. Storage: Room 506 in Berthoud Hall is the designated storage area for all radioactive mineral specimens on the campus (excluding specimens displayed in the Geology Museum). Specimens may not be stored in any other location. The Museum Coordinator is in charge of this room and is the only person who can grant access. Pregnant women and persons under the age of 18 are at greater risk to suffer adverse effects of radiation exposure and may not enter the storage area.
7. Containment: All radioactive mineral specimens shall be kept in sealed plastic bags. The bags prevent the release of particles which can be inhaled and which cause contamination of storage drawers.
8. Checkout and Handling Procedures: Radioactive mineral specimens in plastic bags may be checked out of the Berthoud storage room by faculty members and graduate students. The Museum Curator will coordinate checkout and return of specimens. Specimens which are used for classroom display and demonstration shall not be taken out of plastic bags and should not be handled by students. If close examination or manipulation of specimens requires the removal of the plastic bags, the specimen shall be examined inside a fume hood. Persons who handle unbagged specimens should wear rubber gloves. Handling surfaces should be cleaned with a damp paper towel to remove particles. The used paper towel should be place in a plastic bag and returned to the Museum Curator along with the rebagged specimen.