1. Radioactive waste is accepted for disposal by Radiation Safety, Sanger Hall, 2nd basement, room B2-011 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Advance appointments are required and may be scheduled by calling 828-9131.

2. Segregate and package radioactive waste according to type as described in the MCV/VCU Radiation Safety Guide.

3. Complete a Radioactive Waste Disposal form and bring it with the radioactive waste. Keep a copy of the waste form for your records.

4. Radioactive waste in red bags will not be accepted for disposal. This includes solid, scintillation vials, animals, and biological waste.

5. Solid waste must be completely dry - no liquid is allowed. Do not dispose of non-radioactive materials in radioactive waste. Place all sharp objects in puncture-proof containers. Contaminated lead pigs must be packaged separately from other waste. All solid waste must be segregated by isotope whenever possible. Contact Radiation Safety if there are questions about segregation by isotope.

6. Bring no more than 10 trays of scintillation vials during any one waste appointment.  Scintillation vials containing ³H and ¹⁴C must be separated from vials containing other radioisotopes.

7. Bring no more than 20 liters of liquid waste during any one waste appointment with no more than 8 liters in any one container. If glass bottles are utilized for disposal purposes, they must be transported in protective holders. Scintillation fluors and other organic solvents must be kept separate from water-soluble liquids. Be prepared to provide the total activity of ³²P or ¹²⁵I liquid waste when calling for your disposal appointment.

8. Animal carcasses and other biological wastes should be frozen prior to disposal (whenever possible) and packaged separately from other solid wastes. Additionally, animal carcasses containing ³H and ¹⁴C must be segregated from carcasses containing other isotopes.

9. Deactivate potentially infectious agents in radioactive waste prior to disposal. Remember: radioactive waste in red bags will not be accepted for disposal.

10. Whenever possible, utilize the freight elevator to transport waste to the Sanger Hall collection site. Always wear lab coats when transporting radioative waste.

This page last updated 10/24/11.