Ionizing Radiation Safety Programs

• Radioactive Materials Authorizations - The Division provides technical assistance and administrative oversight in the procurement, use, and disposal of all radioactive materials. To learn how to obtain authorization to use radioactive materials at Duke in research, visit our page for New Authorized Users.
• Personnel Dosimetry Program - Radiation monitoring devices are provided to more than 2000 employees. This program maintains exposure records for all monitored employees. It also investigates unusual or non-routine exposures.
• Laboratory Audit Program - A program which provides on-site review of radiation safety in laboratories of over 200 Authorized Users of Radioactive Materials. These audits include review of personnel monitoring, training, contamination control records, and posting of radioactive materials areas.
• Annual Reviews of Radiation Protection Program - The Division performs annual reviews of the radiation protection programs associated with the institution’s four Radioactive Materials Licenses and five Accelerator Licenses.
• Accelerator Audit Program - A program which provides a monthly review of radiation safety at each accelerator facility on campus.
• X-Ray Registrations Program - The Division maintains the registration of x-ray generating equipment on campus with the North Carolina Radiation Protection Section's Electronic Product Radiation Branch. This includes analytical x-ray equipment as well as that used in patient care.
• Structural Shielding Design and Evaluation - The Division provides technical assistance in both facility design and verification of shielding for x-ray and accelerator installations.
• Sealed Source Leak Tests - Wipe tests of each sealed radioactive source are performed every six months to assure source integrity. An inventory of all sealed sources is conducted on a semiannual basis.

Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety Programs

• Laser Facility Audit Program - A program which provides on-site review of laser safety in laboratories. These audits include review of facility design, standard operating procedures, identification of laser users, training, laser usage records, and posting of laser areas.
• Laser Registrations Program - The Division currently maintains a registration of all Class 3b and Class 4 lasers on campus.