Effluent controls help contain and reduce airborne concentrations. Airborne concentrations of radioactive material do not often occur, but are encountered for aerosols or volatile compounds. This section is mainly for workers who use volatile compounds of radioactive materials.
Aerosols can be either particulate or airborne droplets produced from powder forms or from homogenization or sonification processes. In some cases, there is a small potential for aerosol during centrifuging. Any procedures that could potentially generate aerosol must be performed in the designated certified fume hood.
Some radioactive material compounds are in a volatile form, most notably sodium iodide. Examples of other compounds that have a potential volatility to varying degrees are water, ethanol, acetate, methionine, as well as some experimental procedures that produce carbon dioxide. All work with volatile compounds must be conducted within your designated certified fume hood. Volatile compounds like water, ethanol, and trapped carbon dioxide should be stored tightly capped in a non-permeable container. Once the neck of the ampoule of water or ethanol is broken, you should transfer the stock to a labeled non-permeable tightly sealed vial. Tape around the vial cap to help hamper any volatility through the cap seal.
