Radiation Safety

Radiation Safety

The use of radioactive materials on campus is governed by the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH). The Radiation Safety Committee advises members of the University community in matters involving radiological procedures and safety; establishing procedures pertaining to the ordering, receipt, use and disposal of radioactive materials; and advises faculty on specific problems related to the use of radioactive materials in research and instruction.

Use of Radioactive Materials

All use of radioactive materials for research or instructional purposes by faculty, staff, or students must be cleared with the Radiation Safety Committee. Prior to starting any experiments with radioactive isotopes, the faculty and staff must apply to the Radiation Safety Committee for radioactive materials use approval via a protocol submission through Pre Award and Compliance System (PACS). After approval by the committee, the faculty and staff and materials will be further approved by the NYS DOH. Only full time faculty and staff may apply to the committee.  All other users must work under the supervision of an approved faculty or staff member and receive training from the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). 

Protocol Submission in PACS

Protocols require review by the Radiation Safety Committee. Please complete and submit the smart form and uplad all required supporting documents via PACS.  It is best practice to consult with Patrick Reardon, Radiation Safety Officer, at 607-777-3589 or preardon@binghamton.edu , or Joseph Biscardi, Laboratory Safety Manager, at 607-777-5799 or biscardi@binghamton.edu prior to submission.  

Please include the following as supporting documents in PACS:

  • Detailed Map of lab using radioactive isotopes: Indicate location of all equipment, location of radioactive material storage and  usage area
  • Lab Safety and SOP documents including emergency names and phones numbers
  • SDS on materials to be used, as applicable
  • Manufacturer, serial number and type for any survey and calibration instruments (i.e. survey meters, liquid scintillation, and gamma counter)

If there are no concerns found on initial review, the Research Compliance office will submit the protocol to the RSO and the Radiation Safety Committee for review. Once approved by the committee, the application will be forwarded on to NYS DOH for final approval. The time line for final approval of the application will be determined by NYS DOH. This review and approval typically takes up to 90 days from receipt of application by NYS DOH but may exceed that estimate.

Training

All faculty, staff and students working with radioactive materials must complete in person training with the RSO prior to beginning any work with radioactive material.  To set up the training please contact Patrick Reardon, Radiation Safety Officer, at 607-777-3589 or preardon@binghamton.edu.  You can also contact Joseph Biscardi, Laboratory Safety Manager, at 607-777-5799 or biscardi@binghamton.edu to set up the training.

Training Verification Document required for all submissions: Required Training Verification

An online radiation safety course is required by all members of study teams that conduct research under the guidelines of a radiation safety protocol via Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).  If you have not completed this course, log in to CITI and add the Radiation Safety course and complete.  The course expires every 4 years. 

If you do not have an account and have a Binghamton University email, please do the following: Click on this CITI link and log in via the blue LOG IN button and then click REGISTER and chose SUNY-University at Binghamton for your organization (select the one with SSO which stands for Single Sign On). Click both boxes that you agree and then choose (Continue To Create Your SSO Username/Password). You should then be prompted to create your account using your Binghamton email and PODS account info.

Additional Information

For questions regarding protocol submission and review, please contact Stephen Kamper, Research Compliance Coordinator at 607-777-3822 or skamper@binghamton.edu.  You can also contact Heather Bragg, Associate Vice President for Research Ethics, Security and Compliance at 607-777-3824 or at hbragg@binghamton.edu.