Rubidium-86 Handling Precautions

SAFE
HANDLING
GUIDE
Rubidium-86 Handling Precautions
Rb
18.66 d
ß–1.774
γ 1.077
E 1.774
86
This document contains general information designed to provide a basic understanding of radiation
safety. While we believe the information to be accurate, regulatory requirements may change and
information contained herein is not tailored to individual needs. A radiation protection specialist
should be consulted for specific applications.
Physical data
Dosimetry
Principal radiation emissions
Maximum beta energies: 1.774 MeV (91%)
0.698 MeV (9%)
Gamma: 1.077 MeV (9%)
Maximum range of beta in air: 6.4 m (21 ft)(2)
Maximum range of beta in water: 8 mm (0.3 in)(2)
Unshielded exposure rate at 1 cm from a 1 mCi point
source: 0.5 R/h(3)
Unshielded exposure rate at 1 m from a 1 MBq point
source: 0.35 nC/kg/h(3)
Half-value layer for lead shielding: 9.0 mm (0.3 in)(3)
The high energy beta emissions from 86Rb can present a
substantial skin and eye exposure hazard. The high energy
gamma emissions and secondary radiation presents a penetrating
external hazard. 25% of uptake of 86Rb is assumed to be
transferred to the skeleton and 75% uniformly distributed
to all other organs and tissues of the body(4). 86Rb is retained
in the body with a biological half-life of 44 days(4).
(1)
Decay Table
Physical half-life: 18.66 days(1).
To use the decay table, find the number of days in the top and
left hand columns of the chart, then find the corresponding
decay factor. To obtain a precalibration number, divide by
the decay factor. For a postcalibration number, multiply by
the decay factor. Visit www.perkinelmer.com/toolkit to
use our online Radioactive Decay Calculator.
Occupational limits(4)
Annual limit on intake: 500 µCi (18 MBq) for oral ingestion
and 800 µCi (30 MBq) for inhalation
Derived air concentration: 3 x 10-7 µCi/ml (11 kBq/m3)
Days
Days
0
10
20
30
0
1.000
0.690
0.476
0.328
1
2
0.964
0.665
0.458
0.316
0.928
0.640
0.442
0.305
3
0.895
0.617
0.426
0.294
4
0.862
0.595
0.410
0.283
5
0.831
0.573
0.395
0.273
6
0.800
0.552
0.381
0.263
7
0.771
0.532
0.367
0.253
8
0.743
0.512
0.354
0.244
9
0.716
0.494
0.341
0.235
PerkinElmer has developed the following suggestions for handling Rubidium-86
after years of experience working with this high-energy beta and gamma emitter.
General handling precautions for Rubidium-86
1.­Designate area for handling 86Rb and clearly label all containers.
2. Store
86
Rb behind lead shields.
3. ­Wear extremity and whole body dosimeters while handling
mCi (37 MBq) quantities.
4. ­Use shielding to minimize exposure while handling
86
Rb.
5. Do not work over open containers.
6. ­Use tools to indirectly handle unshielded sources and
potentially contaminated vessels.
17. Establish surface contamination, air concentration and urinalysis
action levels below regulatory limits. Investigate and correct any
conditions which may cause these levels to be exceeded.
18. On completing an operation, secure all 86Rb; remove protective clothing; dispose of protective coverings; monitor
and decontaminate self and surfaces; wash hands and
monitor them again.
8. ­Prohibit eating, drinking, smoking and mouth pipetting in
room where 86Rb is handled.
The dose rates due to energetic beta radiation can be much higher
than dose rates due to gamma radiation from unshielded 86Rb.
Avoid direct eye exposure by interposing transparent shields or
indirect viewing. Avoid skin exposure by indirect handling and
prompt removal of contaminated protective clothing.
9. ­Use transfer pipets, spill trays and absorbent coverings to
confine contamination.
References
10. ­Handle potentially volatile compounds in ventilated enclosures.
1.­Kocher, David C., Radioactive Decay Data Tables, Springfield:
National Technical Information Service, 1981 DOE/TIC-11026.
7. ­Practice routine operations to improve dexterity and speed
before using 86Rb.
11. Sample exhausted effluent and room air by continuously
drawing a known volume through membrane filters.
12. Wear lab coat, wrist guards and disposable gloves for secondary protection.
13. Maintain contamination and exposure control by regularly
monitoring and promptly decontaminating gloves and surfaces.
14. Use end-window Geiger-Mueller detector, NaI(Tl) detector
or liquid scintillation counter to detect 86Rb.
15. Submit periodic urine samples for bioassay to indicate
uptake by personnel.
16. Isolate waste in sealed, clearly labeled shielded container
and hold for decay.
2. Kaplan, Irving, Nuclear Physics, New York: AddisonWesley, 1964.
3. Calculated with computer code ‘Gamma’ utilizing decay
scheme data from Kocher and mass attenuation coefficients for lead and mass energy absorption coefficients for
air from the Radiological Health Handbook. Washington:
Bureau of Radiological Health, 1970. The HVL reported
here is the initial HVL for narrow beam geometry.
4. ICRP Publication 30, Part 2, Limits for Intakes of
Radionuclides by Workers. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1980.
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007042B_01
Jul. 2010