# Radiation Safety ## Radiation and Radioactive Materials ![Green laser on optical table in a quantum optics lab.](/sites/g/files/omnuum641/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-06/AdobeStock_207956025.jpg?itok=vyJLrHi9) ## expand\_more ## Summary How to manage and work with radiation and radioactive materials. ## Who is this for? - All students, faculty, and staff who work with radioactive materials, with radiation-generating devices, or in radioactive material use areas. - Labs and research. ## Managing radiation and radioactive materials Radiation and radioactive materials include devices like [lasers](/resource/lasers "Lasers"), irradiators, electromagnetic frequency (EMF) devices and high-powered magnets, and [X-rays](/resource/x-rays "X-Rays"). Lab and research staff who work with radiation or radioactive materials at Harvard can access EHS resources and support to: - Manage ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in collaboration with EHS. - [Apply for radiation use permits](/node/121#radiation-use-permits). - [Complete radiation safety training](/node/121#radiation-safety-training) and learn about common radionuclides. - Follow the [Radiation Safety Manual](/resource/radiation-safety-manual "Radiation Safety Manual"). - Minimize exposure and protect everyone who enters your work area. - Use personal protective equipment (PPE) and [dosimeters](/node/121#radiation-dosimeters). - Prepare your work area and set up shielding. - Perform routine personal and area contamination surveys. - [Buy radioactive materials](/radiation-safety#purchasing-radioactive-materials "Radiation Safety"). - [Dispose of radiation waste](/resource/radiation-waste "Radiation Waste"). ## Radiation use permits The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) manages using radiation at Harvard by issuing radiation use permits. The RSC issues these permits based on Harvard’s radioactive materials license and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Division of Radiation Control. Do not use radioactive materials or devices at Harvard without a valid permit. Permits are valid for two years. Permit holders are primarily responsible for radiation safety in facilities under their control. To apply for a permit: 1. Submit a permit application in the [Assessment and Inspection Management System (AIMS)](/resource/assessment-and-inspection-management-system "Assessment and Inspection Management System"). Follow the [Radiation AIMS User Guide](/resource/radiation-assessment-and-inspection-management-system-user-guide "Radiation Assessment and Inspection Management System User Guide"). 2. EHS meets with you to review your application, discuss the experiment's radiation safety, and help with lab setup. 3. EHS submits recommendations to the RSC, which votes by mail ballot or at the next scheduled committee meeting. ## Required training You must complete Harvard-specific training before using radioactive materials or devices. Open all sections Close all sections ### Class 3B or 4 laser training expand\_more 1. Complete [laser safety training](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail/cours000000000003166) before you use Class 3B or 4 lasers. 2. Complete [laser safety refresher training](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail/cours000000000003239) every two years to renew your training. ### Electromagnetic frequency device training expand\_more Request in-person EMF device safety training for magnets from EHS. ### Irradiator training expand\_more Follow [irradiator access requirements](/resource/irradiator-access-requirements "Irradiator Access Requirements"). ### Microscope training expand\_more #### Lab-made laser microscopes Complete [enclosed laser instruments safety training](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003167). #### Unmodified, commercially-made laser microscopes - Complete commercial laser microscope safety training. - If you service or adjust your commercial microscope's laser or use a lab-made microscope, complete the full laser safety requirements. ### Radioactive materials training expand\_more 1. Complete [radioactive materials safety training](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail/cours000000000003165) before you use radioactive materials. 2. Complete [radioactive materials refresher training](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail/cours000000000003238) every two years to renew your training. ### X-ray device training expand\_more Complete [X-ray device safety training](https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/app/me/learningeventdetail;spf-url=common%2Fledetail%2Fcours000000000003240). Contact [radiation\_safety@harvard.edu](mailto:radiation_safety@harvard.edu) with questions about your specific setup. ## Radiation dosimeters Lab and other Harvard staff who work with radioactive materials or in radioactive material use areas can work with EHS to monitor radiation exposure using dosimeters. Dosimeters track and monitor external radiation exposures and help keep exposures as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Dosimeters measure external radiation exposure, but they don’t protect you from radiation. Complete Harvard radiation safety training to learn how to select and use dosimeters. ## Buying radioactive materials EHS must approve all radioactive material purchases before shipment, including free items and shared samples from other universities and institutions. ### Harvard funding Use [Buy-to-Pay (B2P)](https://huit.harvard.edu/buy-pay) to buy radioactive materials with Harvard funding. EHS reviews and approves purchase requests. ### Samples and external funding Use [AIMS](/resource/assessment-and-inspection-management-system "Assessment and Inspection Management System") to buy radioactive material samples and make purchases with external funding. ## Radiation and radioactive material safety at Harvard flashlight\_on [### Lasers ](/resource/lasers) delete [### Radiation Waste ](/resource/radiation-waste) close [### X-Rays ](/resource/x-rays) ## Related resources Find documents and online tools to manage radiation and radioactive materials. [### Assessment and Inspection Management System ](/resource/assessment-and-inspection-management-system)Manage lab safety inspections, personal protective equipment (PPE) assessments, and radiation-related materials and activities [### Irradiator Access Requirements ](/resource/irradiator-access-requirements)Request unescorted irradiator access [### Lab Pregnancy and Reproductive Health ](/resource/lab-pregnancy-and-reproductive-health)Pregnancy and reproductive health in labs [### Lab Safety Guideline: Uranyl Acetate, Uranyl Formate, and Uranyl Nitrate ](/resource/lab-safety-guideline-uranyl-acetate-uranyl-formate-and-uranyl-nitrate)Work with uranyl acetate, uranyl formate, or uranyl nitrate for processes like uranium staining in a lab [### Lab Shipping and Transportation Manual ](/resource/lab-shipping-and-transportation-manual)Ship and transport lab and research materials [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: In Vitro Transcription with P-32 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-vitro-transcription-p-32)Template to create a lab standard operating procedure (SOP) for in vitro transcription with 32P [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: In Vitro Translation with S-35 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-vitro-translation-s-35)Template to create a lab standard operating procedure (SOP) for in vitro translation with 35S-methionine [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: Kinase Assay with P-32 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-kinase-assay-p-32)Template to create a lab standard operating procedure (SOP) for in vitro kinase assay with 32P [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: Northern Blotting with P-32 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-northern-blotting-p-32)Template to create a lab standard operating procedure (SOP) for northern blotting with 32P [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: Nucleic Acid End Labeling with P-32 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-nucleic-acid-end-labeling-p-32)Template to create a lab standard operating procedure (SOP) for nucleic acid end labeling with 32P [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: Radioactive Uptake Assay with H-3 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-radioactive-uptake-assay-h-3)Lab standard operating procedure (SOP) template for radioactive uptake assays with 3H [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: Radioactive Uptake Assay with P-32 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-radioactive-uptake-assay-p-32)Template to create a lab standard operating procedure (SOP) for radioactive uptake assays with 32P [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: Radioimmunoassay with I-125 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-radioimmunoassay-i-125)Template to create a lab standard operating procedure (SOP) for radioimmunoassays with 125I [### Lab Standard Operating Procedure Template: Uptake Assay with C-14 ](/resource/lab-standard-operating-procedure-template-uptake-assay-c-14)Template to create a lab standard operating procedure (SOP) for uptake assays with 14C [### Magnet Device Inventory Amendment Form ](/resource/magnet-device-inventory-amendment-form)Form to amend a magnet device inventory [### Radiation Assessment and Inspection Management System User Guide ](/resource/radiation-assessment-and-inspection-management-system-user-guide)Use the Assessment and Inspection Management System (AIMS) to manage radiation permits, inventories, purchases, and waste pickups [### Radiation Declared Pregnancy Form ](/resource/radiation-declared-pregnancy-form)Form to submit a voluntary pregnancy declaration for work with radiation [### Radiation Declared Pregnancy Policy ](/resource/radiation-declared-pregnancy-policy)Declared pregnancy policy to work with radiation [### Radiation Minor Notification Form ](/resource/radiation-minor-notification-form)Form to notify Harvard about a minor working with radiation in a lab [### Radiation Personal Survey Form ](/resource/radiation-personal-survey-form)Form to survey for personal radiation contamination [### Radiation Safety Manual ](/resource/radiation-safety-manual)Safety policies and procedures for radiation, radioactive materials, and radiation generating devices [### Radio Frequency Device Inventory Amendment Form ](/resource/radio-frequency-device-inventory-amendment-form)Form to amend a radio frequency device inventory [### Radioactive Materials Use and Disposal Log Form ](/resource/radioactive-materials-use-and-disposal-log-form)Form to document radioactive material use and disposal [### Ultraviolet Device Inventory Amendment Form ](/resource/ultraviolet-device-inventory-amendment-form)Form to amend an ultraviolet device inventory [ All radiation resources arrow\_circle\_right ](/all-radiation-resources) ## EHS support [Contact EHS](/contact-us "Contact Us") or [radiation\_safety@harvard.edu](mailto:radiation_safety@harvard.edu) for additional lab safety support, including: - Bioassays. - Buying and receiving radioactive materials. - Cellphone towers and radiofrequency. - Dosimetry and exposure reports, including dosimeter individual dose reports (IDR) access. - Exposure limits and external dose minimization principles. - Radiation safety enforcement policy and terminology. - Radioactive animal husbandry. - Radioactive material reference sheets. - RSC charter and membership. - Signs and labels. - Surveys, meters, and probes. - Terminating radiation permits. See also:- [ All Students, Faculty, and Staff ](/audience/all-students-faculty-and-staff) - [ Labs and Research ](/audience/labs-and-research) - [ Labs ](/topic-areas/labs) - [ Radiation ](/topic-areas/radiation)