Separate the source vials by:

• 32P only
• <90 days half-life
• >90 days half-life

Place source vials separated by these categories in separte plastic bags. You are not required to empty the source vials prior to pick-up for disposal. You do not need to account for radioactive decay. For the "empty" vials, record a value of 1% of the total original source vial activity. Example: for a vial originally containing 1 millicurie of any isotope, 1 mCi x 0.01 mCi, record 0.01 millicurie on the waste form and tag. For partially full vials, enter the value from the usage log. For unused vials, record the total vial quantity. 

Lead pigs are shielded containers used for transport and storage of source vials. Pigs are usually constructed of lead, plastic, or a combination of the two. To dispose of lead pigs, separate them from the source vials and place them in a plastic zip log bag for disposal. 

Dry waste is defined as any solid waste, generally composed of paper, plastic, gloves, i.e. general lab trash, containing less than 0.5% by volume of free standing liquid. Dry waste shall not contain any of the following:

• Sharps
• Biological Materials
• Scintillaion Vials

Dry waste must be packaged in 4-mil yellow transparent plastic bags marked with the "Caution Radioactive Materials" and trefoil radioactive symbol. These bags may be purchased from a commercial vendor. For more information contact your DSA. Bags must be securely closed with tape and the UCSF Radioactive Waste Tag must be attached to each bag. 

Dry waste must also be segregated into one of three categories based on the radioisotope or half-life of the radioactive material:

• 32P only
• <90 day half-life (e.g. 35S, 51Cr, 125I, 131I)
• >90 day half-life (e.g. 3H, 14C, 57Co) top

Aqueous radioactive liquids are those in which the solvent and solute are both water-based, and may not contain hazardous chemicals. Liquid waste containing toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive chemicals must be disposed of as mixed radioactive and chemical waste. Liquid waste must be contained in plastic transparent narrow-necked containers with secure screw tops. Containers should not be larger than one-gallon; glass and metal containers are not acceptable. One-gallon jugs which meet these criteria are available from a commercial vendor. 

Aqueous liquid waste must also be segregated by the radioisotope or half-life of the radioactive material:

• 32P only
• < 90 day half-life (e.g. 35S, 51Cr, 125I, 131I)
• > 90 day half-life (e.g. 3H, 14C, 57Co)

Every attempt should be made to segregate all categoeis of waste by INDIVIDUAL isotope. 

The UCSF Radioactive Waste Tag must be attached to each container. Enter the chemical composition activity, and isotope(s) on the tag. To avoid cross-contamination, the jugs should be clearly marked and reused only for the same isotope. Containers must not be leaking and the outer surfaces must be free of contamination. Leaking containers will not be picked-up. The contents of the container should be limited to acqueous liquids; no foreign items such as pipette tips are allowed. 

Liquid Scintallation vial waste consists of glass or plastic containers of less than 25 ml capacity that contain or have contained liquid scintillation media. Unused liquid scintillation vial or vials which have been useed for other purposes must be handled as radioactive liquid scintillation vial waste. This latter requirement is due to the recognition by commercial waste handlers and regulatory personnel fo these vials as normally containing radioactive material. 

Liquid Scintillation vials are divided into two specific categories:

• Deminimus Vials contain only 14C and / or 3H with total activity concentration not exceeding 0.05 microcuries / ml (1.85 KBg / ml).
• Regulated Vials contain 14C and / or 3H that has a detectable level of radiation above 3x background as measured on a scintallation counter. 

When possible, scintillation vials should be packaged in the original trays for subsequent pick-up by EH&S. Write on the trays the category of scintillation waste, e.g. "Deminimus" or "Regulated." 

If the original trays are not available, the waste vials must be double bagged in the 4-mil yellow transparent plastic waste bags marked with "Caution Radioactive Materials" and trefoil radioactive symbol. Each bag must have a Radioactive Waste Tag attached with the proper category written on the tag, e.g., "Deminimus" or "Regulated." Contaminated trays/bags and leaking bags will not be picked up. 

Vials must not contain stock solutions of radioisotopes, biological specimens, or foreign objects. All lids must be securely fastened to prevent leakage. 

Mixed chemical and radioactive waste includes uranyl compounds and any waste that is also considered to be toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive due to the chemical composition of the waste. To determine whether your waste should be managed as a mixed waste refer to the "Determining if Your Waste is Hazardous" section. 

This type of waste must be packaged in one-gallon plastic or glass transparent containers with a screw top and narrow neck. Clear or amber bottles which originally contained other chemicals may be used for this purpose if the original labels have been removed and the empty container triple-rinsed before being used to collect waste. The container should be compatible with the waste being stored. 

The UCSF Radioactive Waste Tag must be attached to each container. In addition, a hazardous waste tag must be attached to the container using WASTe. Containers must not be leaking and the outer surfaces must be free of contamination. Leaking or contaminated containers will not be picked-up. 

Because mixed radioactive and chemical waste is much more expensive to dispose, laboratories should attempt to minimize their generation of this type of waste where possible. 

Radioactive waste that contains biologic, pathogenic, or infectious material must be segregated into general categories: carcass and non-carcass. Carcass waste consists only of animal carcasses and / or large carcass parts. Non-carcass waste may consist of the following:

• Human or animal specimen cultures
• Cultures and stocks of infectious agents
• Waste from the production of bacteria, viruses, spores, live and attenuated vaccines, and culture dishes and devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures
• Microbiological specimens
• Human specimens or tissues removed at surgery or autopsy
• Material containing fluid blood or blood products
• Material containing excreta, exudate, or secretions from humans or animals
• Sharps (items or materials that can cut or pierce; such as needles, blades, teeth, razor blades, etc.)
• Test tubes, capillary tubes, general tubing which have come in contact with such materials

In addition, radioactive biological waste must be segregated by radioisotopes as follows:

• 32P
• < 90 days half-life, e.g., 125I, 51Cr, 35S
• > 90 days half-life, e.g., 3H, 14C

Every attempt should be made to segregate all categories of waste by INDIVIDUAL isotope. 

Carcass waste containing only 14C and / or 3H with a total concentration not exceeding 1.85 KBg per gram (0.05 microcuries / g) of tissue averaged over the weight of the entire carcass or carcass part may be classified as "deminimus" with the approval of the Radiation Safety Officer. Disposing of waste under this classification may reduce the disposal cost. Please contact your Department Safety Advisor (DSA) for further information.

Sharps contamined with radioactivity must be placed in a sharps container labeled with "Caution Radioactive Materials" and trefoil radioactive symbol. Pipettes can be placed in hard sided containers that have a UCSF Radioactive Wastge Tag attached. 

Biological material must be double-bagged in 4-mil red plastic waste bags and labeled with radioactive label tape. Bags must be secured, closed with tape and the UCSF Radioactive Waste Tag must be attached to each bag. 

 All radioactive waste must be labeled with one of the following color coded waste tags from EH&S.

Radioactive waste pickup requests are submitted through RIO. Prior to pick up by EH&S ensure your waste is properly closed and labeled. Laboratories without an RUA who need to dispose of uranyl compounds should submit a Radioactive Waste Disposal Form to EH&S. 

Review EH&S recharge rates for radioactive waste disposal