Certain elements will become activated by the beam. As part of the ERA approval process an induced activity prediction is made based on the chemical composition declared. This prediction allows categorisation of them as either red, orange, green.

Radioactive samples require special risk assessments and transport arrangements. Uranium and Thorium samples must also be transported well in advance to ISIS for your experiment in compliance with EURATOM SAFEGUARDS regulations. 

The Radiation Hazard section of the sample record sheet gives an estimate of the likely radioactivity of the sample and what length of time is required for this activity to an acceptable level for handling. The sample will be put in one of three categories – Short, medium, long.

RED HIGH INDUCED RADIOTOXICITY

Red samples are expected to have a high level of activity when they are removed from the neutron beamline. 

MODERATE INDUCED RADIOTOXICITY

Orange samples are expected to have some level of activity. 

GREEN LOW INDUCED RADIOTOXICITY

Green samples are expected to have no activity. 

It is important to remember that the ERA document provides only an estimate of induced activity and samples should always be checked with a radiation monitor when they come out of the beam.

Follow the procedure below when you remove a sample attached to a centre stick from the instrument.

• Do not touch the sample holder.
  
• Check its activity using the beamline radiation monitor. Keep the sample at arm's length and minimise the time you are in contact with it.
  
• If the activity level on the sample is less than 75 µSv per hour (micro-Sieverts) then you may remove it from the stick yourself.
  
• If it is above 75 µSv per hour then ring the Duty Officer on 6789 or Health Physics on 6696 for assistance.
  
• If the sample is spilt, leave the area immediately, call the MCR, warn others and wait for Health Physics assistance.  
  

If you are unsure how to deal with an active sample then talk to your Local Contact first. If they are unable to help then call Health Physics during working hours and the MCR otherwise.

If you are leaving an active sample at ISIS then please enter the details in the active samples logbook and label the sample with the supplied labels in the log book.

If you would like to take an active sample away with you, or if you would like to dispose of it then please contact the sample safety team (isissamplesafety@stfc.ac.uk).

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