WAC 246-235-103
Prototype tests for manufacture of
calibration or reference sources containing americium-241 or
radium-226. An applicant for a license under this chapter
shall, for any type of source which is designed to contain
more than 0.185 kilobecquerel (0.005 microcurie) of
americium-241 or radium-226, conduct prototype tests, in the
order listed, on each of no less than five prototypes of the
source, which contains more than 0.185 kilobecquerel (0.005
microcurie) of americium-241 or radium-226, as follows:
(1) Initial measurement. The quantity of radioactive
material deposited on the source shall be measured by direct
counting of the source.
(2) Dry wipe test. The entire radioactive surface of the
source shall be wiped with filter paper with the application
of moderate finger pressure. Removal of radioactive material
from the source shall be determined by measuring the
radioactivity on the filter paper or by direct measurement of
the radioactivity on the source following the dry wipe.
(3) Wet wipe test. The entire radioactive surface of the
source shall be wiped with filter paper, moistened with water,
with the application of moderate finger pressure. Removal of
radioactive material from the source shall be determined by
measuring the radioactivity on the filter paper after it has
dried or by direct measurement of the radioactivity remaining
on the source following the wet wipe.
(4) Water soak test. The source shall be immersed in
water at room temperature for a period of twenty-four
consecutive hours. The source shall then be removed from the
water. Removal of radioactive material from the source shall
be determined by direct measurement of the radioactivity on
the source after it has dried or by measuring the
radioactivity in the residue obtained by evaporation of the
water in which the source was immersed.
(5) Dry wipe test. On completion of the preceding test
in this section, the dry wipe test described in subsection (2)
of this section shall be repeated.
(6) Observations. Removal of more than 0.005 microcurie
(185 becquerels) of radioactivity in any test prescribed by
this section shall be cause for rejection of the source
design. Results of prototype tests submitted to the
department or the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall be
given in terms of radioactivity in microcuries (or becquerels)
and percent of removal from the total amount of radioactive
material deposited on the source.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.98.050 and 70.98.080. 09-06-003, § 246-235-103, filed 2/18/09, effective 3/21/09.]