N.M. Code R. § 20.3.15.1521 – Detection of Leaking Sources

A. Each dry-source-storage sealed source must be tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed 6 months using a leak test kit or method approved by the department. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the six months before the transfer, the sealed source may not be used until tested. The test must be capable of detecting the presence of 200 becquerels (0.005 microcurie) of radioactive material and must be performed by a person approved by the department to perform the test.
B. For pool irradiators, sources may not be put into the pool unless the licensee tests the sources for leaks or has a certificate from a transferor that a leak test has been done within the six months before the transfer. Water from the pool must be checked for contamination each day the irradiator operates. The check may be done either by using a radiation monitor on a pool water circulating system or by analysis of a sample of pool water. If a check for contamination is done by analysis of a sample of pool water, the results of the analysis must be available within 24 hours. If the licensee uses a radiation monitor on a pool water circulating system, the detection of above normal radiation levels must activate an alarm. The alarm set-point must be set as low as practical, but high enough to avoid false alarms. The licensee may reset the alarm set point to a higher level if necessary, to operate the pool water purification system to clean up contamination in the pool if specifically provided for in written emergency procedures.
C. If a leaking source is detected, the licensee shall arrange to remove the leaking source from service and have it decontaminated, repaired or disposed of by a department licensee that is authorized to perform these functions. The licensee shall promptly check its personnel, equipment, facilities and irradiated product for radioactive contamination. No product may be shipped until the product has been checked and found free of contamination. If a product has been shipped that may have been inadvertently contaminated, the licensee shall arrange to locate and survey that product for contamination. If any personnel are found to be contaminated, decontamination must be performed promptly. If contaminated equipment, facilities or products are found, the licensee shall arrange to have them decontaminated or disposed of by a department licensee that is authorized to perform these functions. If a pool is contaminated, the licensee shall arrange to clean the pool until the contamination levels do not exceed the appropriate concentration in column 2 of table II, 20.3.4.461 NMAC. (See 20.3.3.325 NMAC for reporting requirements.)
[5/3/1995; 20.3.15.1521 NMAC - Rn, 20 NMAC 3.1.15.1521, 4/15/2004; A, 4/30/2009]