GUIDE ST 6.

1 / 17 March 2008

RADIATION SAFETY WHEN USING

UNSEALED SOURCES
1 General 3
2 Risk assessment 3
3 Laboratory classification 3
4 Requirements for the structure and equipment
of radionuclide laboratories 4
4.1 General 4
4.1.1 Protection of the general public 4
4.1.2 Protection of workers 4
4.2 Type C laboratory 4
4.2.1 Fire safety 4
4.2.2 Surface materials and furniture 4
4.2.3 Ventilation 5
4.2.4 Sewerage 5
4.3 Type B laboratory 5
4.4 Type A laboratory, facilities for production of radionuclides
and large-scale use of unsealed sources 6
4.5 Handling facilities of radiopharmaceuticals and other
premises of the nuclear medicine unit 6
4.5.1 General 6
4.5.2 Handling facilities of radiopharmaceuticals and patient rooms 7
4.5.3 PET-CT and SPET-CT 7

This Guide is valid as of 1 June 2008 until further notice. It replaces Guide ST 6.1,
Radiation Safety Requirements for Radionuclide Laboratories, issued on 1 July
1999.
Helsinki 2008 ISBN 978-952-478-419-1 (pdf)
ISSN 0789-4716 ISBN 978-952-478-420-7 (html)

STUK • SÄTEILYTURVAKESKUS Osoite/Address • Laippatie 4, 00880 Helsinki

STRÅLSÄKERHETSCENTRALEN Postiosoite / Postal address • PL / P.O.Box 14, FIN-00881 Helsinki, FINLAND
RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY AUTHORITY Puh./Tel. (09) 759 881, +358 9 759 881 • Fax (09) 759 88 500, +358 9 759 88 500 • www.stuk.fi
STUK OHJE ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008

5 Storage of radioactive substances 7

6 Surface contamination 8
7 Working with unsealed sources 8
8 Tracer tests outside the laboratory 9
8.1 Radiation safety requirements 9
8.2 Notifications to STUK 10

9 Abnormal incidents 10
9.1 Preparation for abnormal incidents 10
9.2 Procedures in the event of an abnormal incident 10
9.3 Notification of abnormal incidents 10

Authorization
Under section 70, paragraph 2, of the Radiation Act (592/91), STUK – Radiation and
Nuclear Safety Authority (Finland) issues general instructions, known as Radiation
Safety Guides (ST Guides), concerning the use of radiation and other operations
involving radiation.
The Radiation Act stipulates that the party running a radiation practice is
responsible for the safety of the operations. The responsible party is obliged to ensure
that the level of safety specified in the ST Guides is attained and maintained.

Translation. Original text in Finnish.

This Guide includes the requirements relating to the implementation of Council

Directive 96/29/Euratom; OJ No. L 159, 29.6.1996, p.1.
guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008 STUK

1 General access control, security arrangements and poten-

tial abnormal incidents, among other things. If
In order to ensure the safe use of radioactive the conditions change considerably, risks shall be
substances, it is important that attention is paid, reassessed.
already when planning a laboratory or other
place of radiation use, to the radiation safety
requirements arising from the nature of the 3 Laboratory classification
work and the radionuclides used. The underlying Radionuclide laboratories are classified as
principles of the planning are to ensure that laboratories of type C, B and A. The laboratory
it is safe to work in the laboratory, discharges type required for a specific operation is determined
of radioactive substances into the environment by the radionuclides used, the activity handled at
remain minimal also in abnormal conditions, and any one time, and the nature of the work involved.
that the passage of radioactive substances from In radionuclide laboratories, the controlled and
the laboratory into the hands of unauthorised supervised areas, as specified in Guide ST 1.6,
persons is prevented. shall also be defined and delineated.
According to section 26 of the Radiation Act The radionuclide laboratory shall be equipped
(592/1991), the safety requirements, affecting to comply with the requirements of laboratory
safety in the use of radioactive substances, that type C, B or A, in accordance with the activity
are to be taken into account in the planning of limits specified in Table I. If the activity handled
laboratories and other premises will be confirmed at any one time is less than the exemption value
by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority given in Guide ST 1.5, no structural special
(STUK). This guide lays down the requirements requirements will be set for the laboratory.
for radionuclide laboratories and storage rooms Table I. Definition of the laboratory type on the basis
of radioactive substances, in which radioactive of the radionuclides used and the activity handled at
substances are used or stored as unsealed any one time.
sources.*) Some general instructions for working
in radionuclide laboratories are also set out. In Laboratory Maximum activity handled at
addition, this guide states the requirements for type any one time
tracer tests carried out outside the laboratory. Type C 10-fold exemption value*)
Guide ST 6.2 has been issued on the treatment Type B 104-fold exemption value*)
of radioactive waste. Type A Larger than 104-fold exemption
value*)

2 Risk assessment
*) The amount of activity as given in Guide ST 1.5.

The party running a radiation practice (hereafter The activity limits presented in Table I shall be
the responsible party) must identify the risks of applied when radioactive substances are handled
the operations in advance. When planning such using conventional chemical procedures. In case
premises where radioactive substances are used of uncomplicated handling, such as the dilution
and stored as unsealed sources, the planning of stock solutions, the activities specified in Table
shall be based on a risk assessment carried I can be multiplied by ten. In case of especially
out by the responsible party to ensure the ap- hazardous work with a danger of splashing
propriateness of the facilities. The assessment or vaporisation (e.g. animal experiments,
shall take into account external radiation (also complicated handling of liquids, handling of dry
doses to the hands), internal radiation, contami- matter), a coefficient of 0.1 shall be used. For the
nation risk, stay time in the laboratory facilities, storage of radioactive liquids a coefficient of 100

*) A sealed source is a source, the structure of which

prevents any dispersion of radioactive substances into the
environment in normal use conditions. Other radiation
sources are unsealed sources.

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STUK guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008

can be used. The quantities of stored unsealed as reasonably possible (section 23, Radiation
sources are, however, to be kept to minimum. Decree). Radiation protection regulations for
the discharges of radioactive substances into
the environment are issued in Guide ST 6.2.
4 Requirements for the
structure and equipment of 4.1.2 Protection of workers
To protect workers from unnecessary radiation
radionuclide laboratories exposure, the following principles, in addition
to those presented in item 4.1.1, are to be taken
4.1 General into account in the planning of a radionuclide
In the planning of a radionuclide laboratory, the laboratory:
radiation protection of workers and members of • the radionuclide laboratory shall be spacious
the general public shall be taken into account. enough to enable safe working
• a sufficient number of radiation shields and
4.1.1 Protection of the general public personal protection devices shall be available
In the planning, the following factors shall be • all surfaces shall be easy to clean.
taken into account:
• The operations shall be planned and executed The classification of workers in radiation work
in such a manner that the annual effective is addressed in Guide ST 1.6, the monitoring
dose for other persons than those engaged of radiation exposure in Guide ST 7.1 and
in radiation work does not exceed 0.3 mSv. the arrangement of medical surveillance of
This dose constraint is set according to the occupationally exposed workers in Guide ST 7.5.
section 7 of the Radiation Act (1512/1991) to
fulfil the principle of optimisation of radiation 4.2 Type C laboratory
protection and to take into account the A type C laboratory is intended for the handling
exposure caused by various radiation sources. of low activities. The structures and the
• Moving of radioactive substances on site shall equipment in the laboratory are similar to those
be kept to minimum by locating those premises of a modern, well-planned chemistry laboratory.
between which radioactive substances need to The radionuclide laboratory shall be furnished
be moved close to each other. with a sign indicating a danger of radiation
• The premises in which radioactive substances (see Guide ST 1.3). The laboratory shall be
are handled must be sufficiently protected. It lockable. Ground-floor windows shall not provide
is especially important to pay attention to the unimpeded access to the radionuclide laboratory.
radiation shielding of such premises in which In addition, the requirements laid down in items
radionuclides emitting penetrating radiation 4.2.1-4.2.4 apply to the type C laboratory.
are stored.
• Unauthorised access to radionuclide 4.2.1 Fire safety
laboratories and storages of radioactive With regard to the fire safety and the fire-
substances must be prevented. technical requirements of the structural elements,
• The management of radioactive waste shall be the laboratory must fulfil the requirements set
arranged so that it does not cause a radiation out for premises in special use, as specified in
hazard (see Guide ST 6.2). The National Building Code of Finland, Section
• If the nature of the operations results in E1 “Fire Safety of Buildings” and E2 “Fire Safety
unavoidable minor discharges of radioactive of Production and Warehouse Buildings”.
substances into the air, sewage system or
otherwise into the environment, special care 4.2.2 Surface materials and furniture
shall be taken to ensure that the quantities of • The floor and the surfaces of working benches
substances thus discharged remain below the shall be made of materials impermeable to
activity limits specified by STUK and as small moisture and resistant to ordinary chemicals,

4
guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008 STUK

such as dilute acids, alkalis and organic a radiation danger to the environment and to
solvents. allow easy replacement of the filter.
• Joints and gaps shall be filled so as to obtain a • The exhaust duct shall be designed so that
smooth, easy-to-clean surface. radioactive vapours do not condense in it.
• The walls and the ceiling shall be made of • When necessary, the exhaust duct shall be
materials that have a smooth surface and are furnished with a sign indicating a danger of
easy to clean. radiation, in a manner that is clearly visible
• The working areas must be equipped with for the maintenance personnel.
only the minimum furniture needed, the • For maintenance, ventilation drawings shall
coatings of which do not accumulate dust and indicate which ventilation flues come from
are easy to clean. radionuclide laboratories.
• No office or similar facilities may be located in • More detailed regulations for discharges into
the laboratory facilities. the air are given in Guide ST 6.2.

4.2.3 Ventilation 4.2.4 Sewerage

• It shall be possible to ventilate the laboratory The following factors concerning sewerage shall
sufficiently. be taken into account:
• The distance between the intake and exhaust • If liquid radioactive wastes are discharged
openings of the ventilation system of the into the sewage system, there shall be a
building shall be sufficient to prevent possibly separate sink for this purpose, which shall be
contaminated exhaust air from flowing back labelled with an ionising radiation symbol.
into the intake opening. • The sewage pipes from the radionuclide
• If due to the nature of the work, it is probable laboratory should lead directly to the main
that radioactive substances will pass into the sewage pipe. Inside the building, they
air, the laboratory shall be equipped with a should not be connected to any other sewage
sufficient number of fume cupboards or glove pipes than those coming from radionuclide
boxes. laboratories.
• The flow rate of air at the working opening of • When necessary, the sewage pipes from
the cupboard shall be at least 0.5 m/s when radionuclide laboratories shall be furnished
the height of the opening is 30 cm. with a sign indicating a danger of radiation,
• Any faucets connected to the cupboard shall in a manner which is clearly visible for the
be operable from outside the cupboard. maintenance personnel.
• The exhaust blower shall be located so as to • It is recommendable to prevent reflux.
ensure negative pressure in the exhaust duct. • There shall be a washbasin for washing hands.
• The fume cupboards and glove boxes shall The faucets of the basin shall be operable
be equipped with a light indicating when the without having to touch them.
blower is in operation.
• The exhaust air must not be circulated but 4.3 Type B laboratory
shall be led outside via a separate exhaust In addition to what is stated above about type C
duct. laboratories, a type B laboratory must fulfil the
• The need to filter the exhaust air shall be following additional requirements:
considered case by case. It depends on the • The laboratory must have a vestibule with
nature of the work, the radionuclides used a washbasin as well as space for changing
and on their chemical and physical form. If it and keeping protective clothing and for
is necessary to filter the exhaust air, the filter contamination measurements.
shall be located as close to the fume cupboard • The floor coating shall be unbroken and
or glove box as possible, in such a manner extend at least 10 cm up the walls. All lead-
as to prevent the radioactive substances, throughs for piping shall be insulated.
accumulating in the filter, from constituting

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STUK guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008

• The floor and the working benches shall be • structural materials (a summary of the
strong enough to bear the weight of a radiation construction method)
shield assembled of lead bricks, for example. • a description of the treatment and discharge
• When locked, the windows must not be of radioactive wastes
openable without a separate key. • a description of the radiation meters to be
• The laboratory shall be furnished with used for the protection of workers and the
mechanical ventilation which maintains the environment, and of their calibration
air pressure in the handling area, during • a description of potential abnormal incidents
the use of radioactive substances, slightly and precautions as to them
lower than that in the surrounding area, in • an evaluation of the exposure levels of
order to ensure that air flows towards those workers and residents, caused by the incidents
areas of the room which are most subjected to mentioned above.
contamination.
The requirements set for the type B laboratory
4.4 Type A laboratory, facilities for also apply to the type A laboratory. In addition,
production of radionuclides and large- STUK lays down safety requirements for each
scale use of unsealed sources type A laboratory on a laboratory-specific basis,
A type A laboratory is intended for the large-scale depending on the information presented in the
use of radioactive substances. The maximum plan. Final approval for the start-up of operations
activities of radioactive substances used in type is granted in the safety license.
A laboratories are specified in the safety license,
taking into account the environmental conditions, 4.5 Handling facilities of
the laboratory’s security systems, the properties radiopharmaceuticals and other
and activities of the radionuclides to be used, premises of the nuclear medicine unit
and other factors linked to radiation safety. If the
operations are expected to cause releases into 4.5.1 General
the environment (into the air, waters, soil), plans Units, where radioactive substances are used as
for a type A laboratory and other large-scale use unsealed sources in diagnostic and/or therapeutic
of radioactive substances, such as radionuclide nuclear medicine procedures, typically include:
production, shall be submitted to STUK for • handling facilities of radiopharmaceuticals
inspection prior to the start of construction. In • a room for changing clothes (vestibule)
the plan, the following matters concerning the • a room for carrying out cell labelling
environment, and the use, structures and safety • a room for administering radiopharmaceuticals
arrangements of the laboratory shall, at the very to patients
least, be presented for the appraisal of safety: • a waiting room for patients
• a map of the region showing the location of • for patients, a room for changing clothes and a
the installation toilet
• residential and working premises in the near • imaging facilities
environs of the installation • a storage room for radiation sources
• utilisation of soil and waters in the environs of • a storage room for radioactive waste
the installation (e.g. agricultural land, water • possibly a room for measuring samples
supplies, wells) • a patient room for those receiving radionuclide
• a description of the operations, the therapy.
radionuclides used and their activities
• layout of the rooms in the laboratory (plan The patient room of patients who have received
drawings) radionuclide therapy may need to be radiation-
• heating, plumbing and ventilation shielded to protect other patients and workers.
arrangements (especially the filtering of Radiation shielding of the imaging room may
exhaust air) also be necessary in order to prevent radiation

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guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008 STUK

sources outside the room from disturbing the facilities. The patient room shall be furnished
functioning of the imaging device. with a sign indicating a danger of radiation.
When dividing the premises into controlled • The surfaces of the room where radiopharma­
and supervised areas, guidelines laid down in ceuticals are administered to patients and
Guide ST 1.6 must be followed. The waiting rooms of the imaging room shall be easy to clean,
of patients and imaging rooms can normally and the rooms shall be suitable for handling
be classified as supervised areas. The rooms unsealed sources.
of patients receiving radionuclide therapy are
generally controlled areas. 4.5.3 PET-CT and SPET-CT
The requirements for structural shielding for
4.5.2 Handling facilities of CT devices belonging to PET-CT or SPET-CT
radiopharmaceuticals and patient rooms equipment are the same as for x-ray devices. The
Operations involving handling facilities for radiation safety requirements for x-ray facilities
radiopharmaceuticals and patient rooms are issued in Guide ST 3.6.
shall be arranged according to the following
requirements:
• In relation to handling facilities of 5 Storage of radioactive
radiopharmaceuticals, it shall be taken into
account that the operations are regulated
substances
by both the Drug Act (395/1987) and by the Radioactive substances shall be stored in such
Radiation Act (592/1991) as well as by the a manner as to prevent them from constituting
provisions issued by virtue of both of these a radiation hazard to the environment or
Acts. passing into the hands of unauthorised persons.
• STUK oversees compliance with the If significant quantities of radioactive waste
Radiation Act and with the provisions are generated, a separate storage facility for
and regulations issued by virtue of it. The radioactive waste might be needed. The following
National Agency for Medicines is responsible requirements apply to the storage of radioactive
for the regulatory control of, and instructions substances and radioactive waste:
for, radiopharmaceuticals as well as medical • As regards the fire safety of the storage facility
devices and accessories (Medical Devices Act, of radioactive substances, the requirements
1505/1994). specified in item 4.2.1 shall be taken into
• A laboratory used for the handling of account.
radiopharmaceuticals must comply with the • With regard to the surface materials and
requirements set for a type B laboratory (see furniture, the requirements specified in item
items 4.2 and 4.3 of this Guide). 4.2.2 shall be taken into account.
• Regulations for the handling facilities of • The radiation shielding of the storage facility
radiopharmaceuticals have been laid down shall be sufficient to ensure that the annual
by the regulation of National Agency for radiation dose accruing from stored radioactive
Medicines 7/2007. substances does not exceed 0.3 mSv for people
• The storage and injection of ready-to-use other than those engaged in radiation work.
radiopharmaceuticals is allowed also in other The dose rate outside the storage room should
suitable premises. not be more than 2.5 µSv/h.
• For administering therapeutic amounts of • The storage room must not be used for any
radiopharmaceuticals, there shall be a other purpose.
separate room with a floor coating as specified • The storage room shall be furnished with a
in item 4.2.2. sign indicating a danger of radiation.
• There shall be a separate patient room for • The storage room shall be organised so that
those patients receiving 131I therapy who are each radiation source can be taken into and
staying at the hospital. The patient room shall out of the room without causing any danger.
be equipped with its own toilet and washing

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STUK guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008

• Solutions which may develop excessive nor contamination protectors which are used in
pressure shall be stored in such a way that addition to the standard protective clothing when
there is no danger of radiation even if the working in contaminated areas. Also in such
container or package is broken. cases, contamination shall, however, be kept as
• If radioactive substances may be released into low as reasonably possible.
the air, it shall be possible to ventilate the When determining surface activity, the
storage sufficiently. amount of both fixed and non-fixed contamination
• The storage room of radioactive substances is to be taken into account. The surface activity is
shall be lockable. determined as the average activity over an area
• In the radionuclide laboratory, radioactive of not more than 100 cm2. The smear method is
substances shall be stored in a locked cupboard set out in standard SFS 4575.
or a locked refrigerator.
• Ground-floor windows shall not provide
unimpeded access to the storage facility of 7 Working with
radioactive substances.
unsealed sources
When using unsealed sources, attention shall be
6 Surface contamination paid not only to the exposure caused by external
Good working practices, regular cleaning and radiation but also to the exposure caused by
contamination measurements are important for internal radiation, which may be caused by
keeping the contamination at a low level on contaminated breathing air, working benches
the premises. Cleaning of radioactive substances or other surfaces. The passage of radioactive
on the premises may also be necessary when substances out of the laboratory or into the hands
operations are closed down and the radionuclide of unauthorised persons shall be prevented.
laboratory is put to other use. Below is a list of general working instruc­
If the activity levels on various surfaces in tions:
the radionuclide laboratory and in other places • Unauthorised people are not to be admitted to
of radiation use exceed the limits specified in the radionuclide laboratory.
Table II, measures are to be taken to remove • The radionuclide laboratory must be kept
or isolate the contamination. If the working clean.
site, tools or clothing cannot be decontaminated • Tools and instruments which have been used
sufficiently, their use shall be restricted and the for handling radioactive substances shall be
passage of radioactive substances into the body cleaned after use and kept separate from
and their dispersal into the environment shall be other tools and instruments.
prevented by other measures. • A sufficient number (to be decided depending
The surface activity limits do not apply to on the nature of the operations) of radiation
the inner surfaces of fume cupboards and other shields, personal protection devices and
similar handling areas, such as glove boxes,

Table II. Surface activity limits.

Radioactive substance Working areas and tools Workers

Controlled area*) Supervised *) Clothing Skin
and other area
(Bq/cm2) (Bq/cm2) (Bq/cm2) (Bq/cm2)
Alpha emitters 4 0,4 0,4 0,2
Beta and gamma emitters 40 4 4 2
*) The definitions of and requirements for controlled and supervised areas are set out in Guide ST

1.6.

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guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008 STUK

radiation meters shall be available in the In addition to what is stated above, any
laboratory. laboratory-specific special regulations and
• Workers handling radioactive substances instructions shall be followed.
must wear adequate protective clothing. Such
protective clothing must not be worn outside
the laboratory. 8 Tracer tests outside
• It is not permitted to eat, drink, smoke or
make up in a radionuclide laboratory. Neither
the laboratory
is pipetting by mouth permitted. Radioactive substances are used as unsealed
• Work involving the handling of volatile or sources in tracer tests also outside the laboratory.
dusty radioactive substances shall be carried Radioactive substances can, for example, assist
out in a fume cupboard or glove box. with the measurement of flow rates and lag
• If the work carries a specific risk of times of industrial and sewage processes, or
contamination, working alone in the of the mixing of substances in such processes.
radionuclide laboratory should be avoided. The radionuclides used for measurements
• During work stages with a risk of are normally short-lived gamma emitters, the
contamination, working surfaces shall be movement of which can be traced from the
covered with a material preventing the spread outside of pipes, or by taking samples.
of the contamination. Tracer tests using radioactive substances are
• When handling radiation sources, radiation prohibited in those water systems, the water of
shielding (syringe shields, lead shields or which is used as drinking water.
equivalent) shall be used whenever possible.
• Radiation sources shall be labelled so that 8.1 Radiation safety requirements
they are easily identifiable. The labelling shall The following radiation safety requirements
at least include: the radionuclide, its activity, apply to tracer tests:
date the activity was measured and the person • The requirements stated in Guide ST 6.2
who measured it. For unsealed sources, the for discharges of radioactive wastes into the
total volume or activity concentration shall environment also apply to tracer tests carried
also be indicated (activity per unit of volume, out outside the laboratory. When necessary,
for example). the fulfilment of these requirements shall be
• Tools and equipment needed for preventing demonstrated by calculations (evaluation of
the spread of radioactive substances and the radiation exposure caused by the tracer
removing contamination shall be available at tests to the member of the critical group) or by
all times. monitoring the discharges.
• The dose rate of external radiation and the • A person who independently carries out
amount of contamination in the radionuclide tracer tests outside the laboratory must be
laboratory shall be monitored at appropriate a radiation safety officer qualified to use
intervals. Contamination measurements unsealed sources in the industry, research and
shall be carried out after finishing work and education (see Guide ST 1.8).
always when considerable contamination of • When shipping radioactive substances,
working benches or other surfaces, the air the transport regulations of radioactive
of the laboratory, working clothes or tools is substances must be followed.
suspected. The results of the measurements • When tracer tests are carried out outside
shall be documented. the laboratory, the controlled area shall be
• A record shall be kept of incoming shipments separated by barricade tape or a clearly visible
containing a radioactive substance and of equivalent warning line, and furnished with a
stored radioactive substances. sign indicating a danger of radiation.
• A record shall also be kept of radioactive • Access of unauthorised persons into the
wastes and discharges. controlled area must be prevented.

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STUK guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008

• There must be written instructions for written instructions to workers engaged in duties
the tracer tests, including instructions for involving radiation sources on how to act in the
radiation protection and the event of abnormal event of abnormal incidents.
incidents. Further details of action to be taken in the
• After finishing the tracer test, measurements event of abnormal incidents and of reporting
shall be carried out to ensure that the area is of such incidents to STUK are set out in Guide
not contaminated. ST 1.6.

In addition to requirements stated above, 9.2 Procedures in the event

STUK may set out further requirements for a of an abnormal incident
single tracer test. Other requirements shall be In the event of an abnormal incident, all
considered case by case. feasible measures shall be taken to decrease the
radiation exposure and to prevent the spread
8.2 Notifications to STUK of contamination. The causes of the abnormal
An advance notification of tracer tests shall be incident shall be identified and actions shall be
made to STUK at least two weeks prior to the taken to prevent similar incidents in future.
date of the tracer test. The advance notification
shall be in a written form and must contain at 9.3 Notification of abnormal incidents
least the following information: Under section 17 of the Radiation Decree, STUK
• the holder and number of the safety license, must be notified without delay of any abnormal
and the radiation safety officer event involving the use of radiation. The first
• the place and time of the tracer test notification (normally by telephone) must state
• the purpose of the tracer test the following details:
• the radionuclide used, including its chemical • the responsible party (safety license-holder)
and physical form and the radiation safety officer
• the total activity used in the tracer test, the • the name and contact details of the person
number of measurements to be taken, the submitting the report
activity used in a single measurement, and • the time and place of the incident
the expected time of the tracer test • a short description of the incident
• risk assessment (a description of the amounts • details of any persons involved in the
of radioactive substances discharged into hazardous situation and of their possible
the environment and an evaluation of the radiation exposure
radiation exposure to the member of the • the immediate measures taken due to the
critical group). incident.

A written report on the abnormal incident shall

9 Abnormal incidents also be sent to STUK. In addition to the foregoing
9.1 Preparation for abnormal incidents details, the written report must also give an
The responsible party must identify the possible account of the causes and consequences of the
hazardous abnormal incidents associated with abnormal incident (particularly of potential
the use of radiation sources in advance. The radiation exposure) and of the measures taken to
responsible party must plan and implement prevent corresponding incidents in future.
operations in a manner that minimises the Medical Devices Act sets out the regulations
likelihood of abnormal incidents. Steps must for notifying National Agency for Medicines of
nevertheless be taken to prepare for potential hazardous situations.
abnormal incidents by such means as issuing

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guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008 STUK

Bibliography 9. DIN 25425-1. Radionuklidlaboratorien - Teil

1: Regeln für die Auslegung. Berlin: Deutsches
1. International Atomic Energy Agency. Safe Institut für Normung.
Handling of Radionuclides. IAEA Safety 10. DIN 25425-2. Radionuklidlaboratorien – Teil
Series No. 1. Vienna: IAEA; 1973. 2: Betriebliche Strahlenschutzanweisungen.
2. International Atomic Energy Agency. Applying Berlin: Deutsches Institut für Normung.
Radiation Safety Standards in Nuclear 11. Madsen MT et al. AAPM Task Group 108:
Medicine. IAEA Safety Reports Series No. 40. PET and PET/CT Shielding Requirements.
Vienna: IAEA; 2005. Med. Phys. 2006; 33 (1): 4-15.
3. International Atomic Energy Agency. Nuclear 12. The National Building Code of Finland. E1
Medicine Resources Manual. Vienna: IAEA; Fire Safety of Buildings. Regulations and
2006. guidelines 2002. Ministry of the Environment.
4. EU Commission Recommendation 1999/829/ Housing and Building Department. Available
Euratom of 6 December 1999 on the at www.ymparisto.fi
application of the Article 37 of the Euratom 13. The National Building Code of Finland. E2
Treaty. Official Journal L 324, 16.12.1999, p. Fire Safety of Production and Warehouse
0023–0043. Buildings. Guidelines 2005. Ministry of
5. International Commission on Radiological the Environment, Housing and Building
Protection. 1990 recommendations of the Department. Available at www.ymparisto.fi
International Commission on radiological 14. SFS 4575. Measurement of radioactive surface
Protection. ICRP Publication 60. Oxford: contamination. Smear method. Helsinki:
Pergamon Press; 1991. Finnish Standards Association SFS. (in
6. International Commission on Radiological Finnish)
Protection. Protection of the Patient in 15. ISO 7503-1:1988, Evaluation of surface
Nuclear Medicine. ICRP Publication 52. contamination – Part 1. Beta- emitters
Oxford: Pergamon Press; 1987. (maximum beta energy greater than 0.15 MeV)
7. International Commission on Radiological and alpha-emitters. Geneva: International
Protection. Radiological Protection of the Organization for Standardization.
Worker in Medicine and Dentistry. ICRP 16. ISO 7503-2  :1988, Evaluation of surface
Publication 57. Oxford: Pergamon Press; contamination – Part 2: tritium surface
1990. contamination. Geneva: International
8. Medical and Dental Guidance Notes, 2002. Organization for Standardization.
A good practice guide on all aspects of 17. Lääkelaitoksen määräys 7/2007. Sairaala-
ionising radiation protection in the clinical apteekin ja lääkekeskusten toiminta.
environment; Prepared by the Institute of (Regulation of National Agency for Medicines
Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) 7/2007. The operation of hospital pharmacy
with the support of NRPB, HSE, Health and drug center). (4.12.2007). (in Finnish)
Departments, Environment Agencies. York;
IPEM: 2002.

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STUK guide ST 6.1 / 17 March 2008

ST GUIDES (13 November 2008)

General Guides ST 5.8 Installation, Repair and Servicing of
ST 1.1 Safety Fundamentals in Radiation Practices, 23 Radiation Appliances, 4 October 2007
May 2005 (in Finnish)
ST 1.3 Warning Signs for Radiation Sources, 16 May Unsealed Sources and Radioactive
2006 Wastes
ST 1.4 Radiation User's Organization, 16 April 2004 ST 6.1 Radiation safety when using unsealed
ST 1.5 Exemption of the Use of Radiation from the sources, 17 March 2008
Safety Licence and Reporting Obligation, ST 6.2 Radioactive Wastes and Discharges,
1 July 1999 1 July 1999
ST 1.6 Operational Radiation Protection, ST 6.3 Use of Radiation in Nuclear Medicine,
29 December 1999 18 March 2003
ST 1.7 Radiation Protection Training in Health Care,
17 February 2003 Radiation Doses and Health
ST 1.8 Qualifications of Persons Working in
Radiation User’s Organization and Radiation Surveillance
Protection Training Required for Competence, ST 7.1 Monitoring of Radiation Exposure, 2
16 April 2004 August 2007
ST 1.9 Radiation Practices and Radiation ST 7.2 Application of Maximum Values for
Measurements, 17.3.2008 Radiation Exposure and Principles for the
Calculation of Radiation Dose, 9 August
2007
Radiation Therapy
ST 2.1 Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy, ST 7.3 Calculation of the Dose Caused by Internal
22 May 2003 Radiation, 23 September 2007
ST 2.2 Radiation Safety of Radiotherapy Equipment ST 7.4 The Dose Register and Data Reporting,
and Treatment Rooms, 2 February 2001. 9.9.2008.
ST 7.5 Medical Surveillance of Occupationally
Exposed Workers, 4 May 2007
Diagnostic Radiology
ST 3.1 Use and Regulatory Control of Dental X-ray
Installations, 27 May 1999 Non-Ionizing Radiation
ST 3.2 Mammography Equipment and Their Use, 13 ST 9.1 Radiation Safety Requirements and
August 2001 Regulatory Control of Tanning Appliances
ST 3.3 X-ray Examinations in Health Care, 20 March 1 December 2003 (in Finnish)
2006 ST 9.2 Radiation Safety of Pulsed Radars,
ST 3.6 Radiation Safety in X-ray Facilities, 2 September 2003 (in Finnish)
24 September 2001. ST 9.3 Radiation Safety during Work on Masts at
ST 3.7 Breast Cancer Screening Based on FM and TV Stations, 2 September 2003 (in
Mammography, 28 March 2001 Finnish)
ST 9.4 Radiation Safety of High Power Display
Lasers, 28 February 2007 (in Finnish)
Industry, Research, Education and
Commerce Natural Radiation
ST 5.1 Radiation Safety of Sealed Sources and
ST 12.1 Radiation Safety in Practices Causing
Devices Containing Them, 7 November 2007
Exposure to Natural Radiation, 6 April
ST 5.2 The Use of Control and Analytical X-ray
2000
apparatus, 26.9.2008
ST 12.2 The Radioactivity of Building Materials
ST 5.3 Use of Ionising Radiation in the Teaching of
and Ash, 8 October 2003
Physics and Chemistry, 4 May 2007
ST 12.3 Radioactivity of Household Water,
ST 5.4 Trade in Radiation Sources, 2 October 2000
9 August 1993
ST 5.6 Radiation Safety in Industrial Radiography,
ST 12.4 Radiation safety in aviation, 20 June 2005
17 February 1999

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