LIQUID SCINTILLATION 5

LSC Vials - Activity Estimates

uCi per tray of 100 vials

WASTE PROCEDURES
4

STORAGE TRANSFER
1

0
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000

1. The RSD recommends that liquid scintillation vials 1. Packaging instructions: Average CPM per vial
be stored in the original cardboard trays or “flats” of q Double bag flats of LSC vials in clear plastic bags
NOTE: Assumes 50% LSC Efficiency

100 vials supplied by the vendor. The trays provide at least 3 mil thick. Vials may be bagged without
a means to keep the vials upright to avoid spillage. flats, but this practice is not recommended.
2. The RSD will provide empty trays, if available, upon q No more than 5 flats of 100 vials per waste bag. Dr. Bruin 000
request. q Securely close bags with tape or a knot. Medicine MBI/101 5-5555
M. Curie 7/4/00
3. Liquid scintillation vials should be stored and
transferred within a secondary container. 2. Complete the waste tag: P-32 N/A 5
q Include the manufacturer and brand name of the
4. Prohibited items: scintillation cocktail (The RSD maintains a
q Lead or Hazardous Materials. database of hazardous and non-hazardous
scintillation cocktails).
q Biohazardous Materials.
q For non-radioactive vials (<70 cpm): Packard/Ultima Gold
q Animal tissue. 2.5
q Enter N/A under “Nuclide” and 0 (zero) under
q Liquids other than scintillation cocktail. “Activity.”
q Sharps. N/A 0 0

SEGREGATION
1. Segregate LSC vials as follows:
q Non-Radioactive. Packard/Ultima Gold
2.5
q Vials from routine laboratory surveys
determined to be negative or non-radioactive. M. Curie

q The maximum count rate: 70 cpm (At NON-RADIOACTIVE LAB SWIPES

least a (1) minute count)
q The RSD will perform random sampling of LSC
q Indicate NON-RADIOACTIVE LAB SWIPES
vials declared non-radioactive. under “Chemical Constituents.”
q Radioactive q For radioactive vials:
q All isotopes other than H-3/C-14 must be q Proper disposal of scintillation vials requires
packaged separately. accurate activity estimates. DO NOT
overestimate the activity on the waste tag.
Notes:
Even “biodegradable” scintillation cocktails may meet the
California definition of a hazardous waste. It is UCLA policy to
dispose of scintillation media as both hazardous and radioactive.
Biodegradable or any other counting cocktail should never be
poured down the drain.
Cl-36 liquid scintillation vials must never contain hazardous
scintillation fluid.
2002-12 (Rev 0)