REHS pursues an aggressive decay-in-storage program that solidly backs the University's commitment to the community and the environment. When properly segregated, 80% of the waste can be decayed on site.
The commitment of research staff to this program is the key to its success. An extremely important part of this process is properly segregating radioactive isotopes.
- Solid Waste
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Solid wastes are grouped (or segregated) by half-life.
Half-life range in days:- < 15 days: Examples: P-32, I-131
- > 15 days and < 120 days: Examples: P-33, S-35, Cr-51, I-125
- > 120 days -3H & 14C only: Examples: H-3, C-14
- > 120 days - all others: Examples: Ca-45, Cl-36
- Liquid Waste
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Liquids are segregated into aqueous and organic waste streams and then are grouped (or segregated) by half-life.
Aqueous- Water, Buffer, Urine, etc.
- Follow the half-life segregation scheme
Organic
- Ethanol Methanol Acetonitrile Acetone
- Chloroform etc., with or without water
- Follow the half-life segregation scheme
THEN
Half-life range in days:
- < 15 days: Examples: P-32, I-131
- > 15 days and < 120 days: Examples: P-33, S-35, Cr-51, I-125
- > 120 days -3H & 14C only: Examples: H-3, C-14
- > 120 days - all others: Examples: Ca-45, Cl-36
- Liquid Scintillation Vials
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LSV's are are now grouped by half-life as with liquid and solid wastes. Your lab should implement this change as soon as possible. Contact REHS if you need help with this transition.
Half-life range in days:- < 15 days: Examples: P-32, I-131
- > 15 days and < 120 days: Examples: P-33, S-35, Cr-51, I-125
- > 120 days -3H & 14C only: Examples: H-3, C-14
- > 120 days - all others: Examples: Ca-45, Cl-36
- Biological / Animal
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Biological / Animal wastes are also grouped by half-life:
Half-life range in days:- < 120 days: Examples: P-32, I-131, P-33, S-35, Cr-51, I-125
- > 120 days: Examples: H-3 and C-14 only
- > 120 days: Examples: all others (i.e. Ca-45, Cl-36)
Contact
Please direct all questions regarding hazardous waste to hazwaste@rutgers.edu.
