Radioactive Waste

Preparation Procedures

1. Segregate radioactive waste according to waste segregation poster.
2. Enter radionuclide and activity disposed into each container in waste log book.*
3. Label containers to be picked up with:
   • Radionuclide(s)
   • Activity
   • Authorization number
   • Date
   • pH (if liquid)
   • solvents and percentages, must total to 100% (if liquid)
4. Seal containers (plastic ties are provided for bags, cap if carboy, clamp on lid if metal & glass drum, tape scintillation vials into original box or double bag, seal or close sharps container)
5. Submit a request through the online Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) system (see below for details.

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New Waste Pickup Request Process as of July 3, 2023

Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA)

As of July 3, 2023, the process for waste pickup requests transitioned to an online platform: Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA). Word documents, PDFs, Qualtrics, phone calls and other informal methods of pickup requests are not accepted beginning July 3.

EHSA is also being used for biological and hazardous (chemical) waste pickup requests.

Learn more about the new process below.

Benefits

Users will benefit from using the new waste pickup request process in the following ways:

• Automated radioactive material inventory levels will be updated in EHSA as waste pickup requests are completed for each location
• Increased transparency to see submitted requests
• Access to electronic records for waste pickups
• Ability to create waste pickup request templates 
• Ease of duplicating repeat pickup requests
• Request supplies such as disposal tags online

EHSA will also create consistency among customer requests and streamline the submission process through a single online system. 

Training/Resources

Resources will be added soon. Please check back.

Submit a Pickup Request

New users will need to register for EHSA and use Purdue Login to access the system.

Please copy and paste this URL directly into the browser address bar (Purdue Network only):

• https://wpvitbsonehsa01.boilerad.purdue.edu/ehsa/

If you are using a non-Purdue supported computer or are located off campus, you will need to login to the WebVPN2 first before attempting to access EHSA. View a Purdue IT Knowledge Base article for instructions.

Contact

For general questions and those related to the EHSA system, contact purdueehsa@purdue.edu. For radioactive waste questions, contact radsafety@purdue.edu.

Radioactive waste is picked up every Tuesday. Waste pickup requests must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday for Tuesday pickup.

Contact Anca Condret with questions.

* We suggest a waste log be kept near the waste area to keep a record of the isotope and activity added to each container to aid the person preparing the radioactive waste for pickup in labeling the waste.

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Pickups

Radioactive waste pickup requests need to be received by 5:00 pm on Monday for delivery Tuesday.  To ensure that waste will be picked up, make sure waste is free from contamination and all labels are completely filled out. Submit a request through EHSA (see details above) to facilitate your pickup.