Biological Safety FAQ's
Who is required to attend bloodborne pathogen training?
Do I have to attend Bloodborne Pathogen Training if I have already attended a seminar offered by the VA?
Do Bench tops need to be decontaminated if bench coats are used?
Does lab equipment need to be decontaminated prior to disposal, repair or servicing?
Biomedical Waste FAQ's
Where can I get needleboxes?
My autoclave room in the medical school is out of the small and large cardboard boxes and bags. What should I do?
The aluminum cart in my autoclave room in the medical school is overflowing with waste. What should I do?
What do I use the red buckets for in the medical school?
Chemical Safety FAQ's
Who is required to attend Chemical Safety training?
Can chemical containers be stored on shelves above a bench?
Can chemicals of different hazard classes be stored within the same cabinet?
Can chemicals with high toxicity be used on the open bench?
Is there a limit on the quantity of chemicals which can be stored in the laboratory at one time?
Where can I obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
What are some alternative methods to chromic acid for cleaning glassware?
Hazardous Waste FAQ's
What do I do with empty chemical containers?
Where do I get waste tags?
Where do I get blue secondary containment trays for segregating hazardous waste containers?
What do I do with a broken thermometer?
Does EHS supply containers to collect hazardous waste?
I have chemicals that I can't use and they have never been opened and are not expired. Can anyone use them?
Radiation Safety FAQ's
Who is required to attend Radiation Safety training?
What are the commonly used radioactive materials at Yale?
Can I work with radiation producing equipment or radioactive material if I am pregnant?
How is radioactive material ordered at Yale?
How is radioactive material stored at Yale?
Is there a limit to the amount of radioactive material that can be stored in the laboratory at one time?
Can I take my radioactive material to another facility outside Yale University?
Who needs a radiation dose monitor (film badge)?
How do I get a badge?
What is ALARA?
What is an iodination?
An iodination is a chemical procedure used to attach a radioactive tracer to a compound of medical or biological interest. This
compound is usually protein such as a hormone or antigen. The isotope I-125 is most commonly used for producing radiolabeled compounds,
although I-123 or I-131 can also be used. Specific iodination methods include Chloramine-T, Bolton Hunter, Iodogen and Iodo-bead
methods.
A laboratory is available in BCMM/B-01 for radioactive iodinations. This laboratory is equipped with protective matting, charcoal traps,
fume hoods, air sampling apparatus and other laboratory equipment. All iodinations should be performed in this laboratory unless an
alternative fume hood has been approved for iodinations by Radiation Safety. Use of this laboratory is available by appointment by
calling 737-2139 or 785-4250.
Thyroid counts should be obtained by all individuals prior to working with radioactive iodine. Thyroid counts are also required for
those individuals performing iodinations 6 to 72 hours post each iodination. Quarterly thyroid counts may be required for individuals
who work with iodine but do not actually perform iodinations.
Stock vials containing mCi amounts of 125 I should be shielded as these vials can generate substantial radiation on the outside
surface of the vial and the surrounding air volume. A thickness of 2 millimeters of lead is sufficient to shield standard stock vials.
When handling potentially volatile 125 I, perform the reaction in the original shipping vial, working through the septum with a
syringe and hypodermic needle. All stock vials containing volatile 125 I compounds should be purged prior to use. Purging the
airspace of the stock vial through a trap containing activated charcoal will prevent an initial release of built-up volatilized
activity. This will assist in significantly reducing environmental releases, contamination of facilities and possible internal
personnel exposures. Purging is accomplished by first inserting the hypodermics of both a charcoal trap and an air filled syringe
through the septum of the closed stock vial. Be certain that the tips of the hypodermics reside in the airspace of the stock vial
and are not touching the liquid. Slowly and gently force the air from the syringe into the stock vial, causing an exchange of air
and forcing the volatilized activity from the stock vial into the charcoal trap. Remove the syringe and then the charcoal trap.
Discard the used syringe and the charcoal trap into the 125 I sharps waste. Do not recap hypodermic needles. Charcoal traps are
available free of charge from Radiation Safety. Please call 785- 4250 for more information or to obtain a charcoal trap.