# RAM Review 2008 - **operation:** document - **citation:** PHMSA Guidance, RAM Review 2008 - **title:** RAM Review 2008 - **source type:** guidance - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** guidance - **official:** true - **published on:** 2007-01-01 - **effective on:** 2007-01-01 - **summary:** RAM Review 2008 Document ramreview2008.pdf (2.43 MB) This review provides guidance on the Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) contained in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) Parts 171-185, which govern the packaging and shipment of radioactive material. These materials have an excellent safety record when packaged, labeled, marked and transported in accordance with the - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-ramreview2008-249042f9.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-ramreview2008-249042f9.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-ramreview2008-249042f9 - **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/ramreview2008 **body:** RAM Review 2008 Document ramreview2008.pdf (2.43 MB) This review provides guidance on the Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) contained in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) Parts 171-185, which govern the packaging and shipment of radioactive material. These materials have an excellent safety record when packaged, labeled, marked and transported in accordance with these regulations. Issued Date: Monday, January 1, 2007 <<>> RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL December 08 Regulations Review Note: This document is for general guidance only and must not be used to determine compliance with 49 CFR Parts 100-185. <<>> This page intentionally left blank. Radioactive Material Regulations Review ii <<>> TABLE OF CONTENTS I. ..........................................................................................................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION II. BACKGROUND............................................................................................................................................................................................2 A. Uses of Radioactive Material.....................................................................................................................................................................2 B. Review of Radioactivity and Radiation.....................................................................................................................................................2 C. Radiation Protection Principles .................................................................................................................................................................3 D. SI and Customary Radiological Units .......................................................................................................................................................4 E. Radiation Exposures and Biological Effects .............................................................................................................................................4 III. TRANSPORT SAFETY REGULATIONS....................................................................................................................................................6 A. International Regulations...........................................................................................................................................................................6 1. United Nations .......................................................................................................................................................................................6 2. International Atomic Energy Agency ....................................................................................................................................................7 3. International Maritime Organization .....................................................................................................................................................7 4. International Civil Aviation Organization .............................................................................................................................................7 B. Federal Regulations ...................................................................................................................................................................................8 1. Department of Transportation................................................................................................................................................................8 2. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.........................................................................................................................................................11 3. Transportation Security Administration ..............................................................................................................................................12 4. United States Postal Service ................................................................................................................................................................12 IV. RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS TERMINOLOGY.....................................................................................................................................14 A. Radioactive Material................................................................................................................................................................................14 B. Special Form Radioactive Material .........................................................................................................................................................14 C. Normal Form Radioactive Material.........................................................................................................................................................17 D. A and A Quantity Limits ......................................................................................................................................................................17 1 2 E. Excepted Quantities .................................................................................................................................................................................19 F. Highway Route Controlled Quantities (HRCQ)......................................................................................................................................21 G. Low Specific Activity (LSA) Material ....................................................................................................................................................22 H. Surface Contaminated Objects (SCO) .....................................................................................................................................................23 I. Fissile Material ........................................................................................................................................................................................25 J. Radioactive Materials Not Covered by the HMR....................................................................................................................................26 V. CATEGORIES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS PACKAGES ............................................................................................................................................................................................27 A. General Packaging Requirements............................................................................................................................................................28 Radioactive Material Regulations Review iii <<>> TABLE OF CONTENTS B. Excepted Packages ............................................................................................................................................................................... 28 C. Industrial Packages (Type IP-1, IP-2, IP-3) ......................................................................................................................................... 30 D. Type A Packages .................................................................................................................................................................................. 31 E. Type B Packages .................................................................................................................................................................................. 36 F. Fissile Radioactive Material Packages................................................................................................................................................. 41 G. Packages Containing Uranium Hexafluoride ....................................................................................................................................... 43 VI. TRANSPORT CONTROLS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 44 A. Transport Index (TI)............................................................................................................................................................................. 44 B. Criticality Safety Index (CSI)............................................................................................................................................................... 48 C. Package Radiation Limits..................................................................................................................................................................... 50 D. Contamination Limits and Contamination Surveys ............................................................................................................................. 54 VII. SHIPMENTS OF LOW SPECIFIC ACTIVITY (LSA) MATERIALS AND SURFACE CONTAMINATED OBJECTS (SCO).................................................................................................................................................................................. 56 A. Transport Requirements for LSA Materials and SCO ......................................................................................................................... 56 B. Packages for LSA Materials and SCO ................................................................................................................................................. 57 1. Unpackaged LSA Material and SCO ............................................................................................................................................... 57 2. Excepted Packages of LSA Material and SCO ................................................................................................................................ 57 3. Industrial Packages of LSA Material and SCO................................................................................................................................ 58 4. Type A Packages for LSA Material and SCO.................................................................................................................................. 58 5. Type B Packages for LSA and SCO................................................................................................................................................. 59 6. Packages for Exclusive Use Transport of Liquid LSA-I.................................................................................................................. 59 7. Typical Packages for Radioactive Waste Shipped as LSA or SCO ................................................................................................. 59 VIII. HAZMAT COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATED REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 61 A. Hazardous Materials Table................................................................................................................................................................... 61 B. Proper Shipping Names for Radioactive Materials.............................................................................................................................. 61 C. Shipping Paper Requirements .............................................................................................................................................................. 63 1. Basic Shipping Paper Requirements ................................................................................................................................................ 63 2. Additional Shipping Paper Description for Radioactive Material ................................................................................................... 64 3. Other Information and Examples of Shipping Papers Entries ......................................................................................................... 65 4. 95% Rule for Mixtures ..................................................................................................................................................................... 67 5. Documentation for Excepted Packages............................................................................................................................................ 69 6. Shipper's Certification ...................................................................................................................................................................... 69 D. Marking Requirements ......................................................................................................................................................................... 70 Radioactive Material Regulations Review iv <<>> TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Basic Marking Requirements...............................................................................................................................................................70 2. Marking Requirement for Liquids .......................................................................................................................................................71 3. Marking Requirements for Radioactive Materials...............................................................................................................................71 4. Marking of Bulk Radioactive Material Packages................................................................................................................................72 E. Labeling Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................................73 F. Placarding Requirements .........................................................................................................................................................................77 G. Emergency Response Information Requirements....................................................................................................................................78 1. Required Information...........................................................................................................................................................................79 2. Emergency Response Telephone Number...........................................................................................................................................79 3. Emergency Response Guidebook ........................................................................................................................................................80 H. Training Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................................81 1. General Awareness/Familiarization Training......................................................................................................................................82 2. Function-Specific Training..................................................................................................................................................................82 3. Safety Training ....................................................................................................................................................................................82 4. Security Awareness Training...............................................................................................................................................................82 5. In-Depth Security Training..................................................................................................................................................................83 6. Testing and Record Keeping................................................................................................................................................................83 I. Security Requirements.............................................................................................................................................................................83 J. Incident Reporting Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................84 IX. QUALITY ASSURANCE............................................................................................................................................................................85 A. Prior to First Use......................................................................................................................................................................................85 B. Prior to Each Use .....................................................................................................................................................................................85 C. NRC QA Requirements ...........................................................................................................................................................................86 X. OVERVIEW OF NRC'S 10 CFR TRANSPORT-RELATED REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................................................................................................87 A. 10 CFR PART 71.....................................................................................................................................................................................87 B. 10 CFR PART 20.....................................................................................................................................................................................88 1. Procedures for Receiving and Opening Packages ...............................................................................................................................88 2. Control Of Access To High Radiation Areas Containing Radioactive Material Packages.................................................................89 3. Requirements for Transfers of Low-Level Radioactive Waste ...........................................................................................................89 C. Notification Requirements.......................................................................................................................................................................90 D. NRC Requirements for Radioactive Materials in Quantities of Concern................................................................................................ 90 Radioactive Material Regulations Review v <<>> TABLE OF CONTENTS XI. OTHER REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................................................................................................91 A. Carrier Requirements .............................................................................................................................................................................91 B. Registration Requirements .....................................................................................................................................................................92 C. Motor Carrier Safety Requirements .......................................................................................................................................................93 1. Commercial Driver’s License.............................................................................................................................................................93 2. Hazardous Materials Safety Permits ..................................................................................................................................................94 3. Highway Routing Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................95 D. Radioactive Material Shipments By Air ................................................................................................................................................96 XII. DOT AND NRC ENFORCEMENT POLICIES .....................................................................................................................................97 APPENDIX A INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS (SI) FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS IN TRANSPORTATION ..............................................................................A-1 Radioactive Material Regulations Review vi <<>> TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures Figure 1 - Radiation Doses in Perspective ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 2 - NRC Agreement States.......................................................................................................................................................................12 Figure 3 - “Special Form” Radioactive Material ...............................................................................................................................................16 Figure 4 - “Normal Form” Radioactive Material ...............................................................................................................................................17 Figure 5 - Material Quantity Categories ............................................................................................................................................................22 Figure 6 - Example Excepted Package...............................................................................................................................................................29 Figure 7 - Industrial Packages (IP).....................................................................................................................................................................31 Figure 8 - Type A Packaging Tests....................................................................................................................................................................33 Figure 9 - Typical Type A Packaging Configurations .......................................................................................................................................35 Figure 10 - Type B Hypothetical Accident Conditions......................................................................................................................................38 Figure 11 - Example Type B Packages ..............................................................................................................................................................40 Figure 12 - Fissile Radioactive Material Packaging ..........................................................................................................................................42 Figure 13 - Transport Index................................................................................................................................................................................45 Figure 14 - Package Radiation Limits for Non-Exclusive Use Shipments ........................................................................................................50 Figure 15 - Allowable Dose Rates for an Exclusive Use Shipment...................................................................................................................52 Figure 16 - Allowable Dose Rates for an Exclusive Use Shipment in a Closed Transport Vehicle..................................................................52 Figure 17 - Typical Packages for LSA Materials and SCO ...............................................................................................................................60 Figure 18 - Package Orientation Marking for Liquid Packages.........................................................................................................................71 Figure 19 - Trefoil Symbol.................................................................................................................................................................................72 Figure 20 - ICAO Excepted Package Label .......................................................................................................................................................73 Figure 21 - Radioactive Material Labels............................................................................................................................................................75 Figure 22 - Fissile Label.....................................................................................................................................................................................76 Figure 23 - Empty Label ....................................................................................................................................................................................76 Figure 24 - Vehicle Radioactive Placard............................................................................................................................................................77 Figure 25 - HRCQ Placard .................................................................................................................................................................................78 Radioactive Material Regulations Review vii <<>> TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables Table 1 - Type A Package Quantity Limits for Selected Radionuclides........................................................................................... 18 Table 2 - Activity Limits for Limited Quantities, Instruments, and Articles.................................................................................... 20 Table 3 - Contamination Limits for SCOs ....................................................................................................................................... 24 Table 4 - TI Limits for Freight Containers and Conveyances on Vessels ........................................................................................ 47 Table 5 - CSI Limits for Freight Containers and Conveyances on Vessels......................................................................................49 Table 6 - Radiation Level Limitations .............................................................................................................................................. 53 Table 7 - Non-Fixed External Radioactive Contamination Limits for Packages.............................................................................. 54 Table 8 - Non-Fixed External Radioactive Contamination Wipe Limits for Packages* ................................................................... 54 Table 9 - Industrial Package Integrity Requirements for LSA Material and SCO............................................................................ 58 Table 10 - Radioactive Materials Proper Shipping Names and Identification Numbers .................................................................. 62 Table 11 - Label Category Based on TI and Surface Radiation Level.............................................................................................. 74 Radioactive Material Regulations Review viii <<>> I. INTRODUCTION This review provides guidance on the Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) contained in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) Parts 171-185, which govern the packaging and shipment of radioactive material. These materials have an excellent safety record when packaged, labeled, marked and transported in accordance with these regulations. This review serves as a reference document and is not an official interpretation or restatement of the regulations. This review of the radioactive material regulations was designed as a guidance document and should not be used without simultaneous reference to all applicable and current regulations pertaining to the transportation of radioactive material. Users of this review are strongly encouraged to obtain the latest copy of the HMR from the Government Printing Office (http://bookstore.gpo.gov). Amendments to the HMR are published in the Federal Register (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html). The current HMR may be found at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html. Additional information on DOT’s hazardous materials transportation regulations and programs may be found at http://hazmat.dot.gov. The first version of this document was issued in 1972, with subsequent revisions issued in 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1983, and 1998. This version updates the contents to be consistent with changes in the regulations since the last edition. These changes include those made in rulemaking RSPA-99-6283 (HM-230) to be compatible with changes contained in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) publication, “IAEA Safety Standards Series: Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material,” 1996 Edition, No. TS-R-1. This document may be reproduced without further permission from DOT, subject to the following: The name and the seal of the U.S. Department of Transportation may not be reproduced unless that copy accurately reproduces the entire content (text and format) of this document without modification. In addition, the publisher’s full name and address must be displayed on the cover of each copy. Comments, suggestions, corrections or requests for additional training aids should be mailed to: U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training, PHH-50, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590. Radioactive Material Regulations Review 1 <<>> II. BACKGROUND A. Uses of Radioactive Material Radioactive materials are used for a wide range of purposes, including the generation of electric power, research, manufacturing, industrial processes, and medical diagnosis and therapy. Industrial applications of radioactive material include inspection and gauging operations such as examining the integrity of welded joints or measuring the thickness of paper as it is produced. Sealed radioactive sources are also used extensively in oil and gas exploration drilling operations and to check the compactness of roadbeds during paving operations. Every major hospital in the United States has a nuclear medicine department in which radionuclides are used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases. Millions of radioactive materials packages are shipped annually in the United States; a large percentage of these are radiopharmaceutical shipments. To date, there have been no known deaths or injuries to transport workers, emergency services personnel, or the general public as a result of the radioactive nature of materials in transport. This safety record can be attributed to the proper packaging of radioactive material and the effectiveness of the transportation safety standards and regulations. B. Review of Radioactivity and Radiation If there are too few neutrons or too many neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, the atom is unstable. Such an unstable atom will try to become more stable by emitting energy in the form of radiation, and it is said to be radioactive. When it emits radiation to become more stable, it is said to disintegrate or decay. Each radioactive isotope has a specific known time in which half of the atoms will decay, called the “half-life,” measured in years, days, hours, minutes or seconds. The activity of a radioactive material is the number of decays per unit of time measured in becquerels (Bq) (or curies (Ci)). The activity per unit mass is called the “specific activity,” often measured in becquerels (or curies) per gram. When an isotope decays, one or more of the following may be emitted: • A particle consisting of two neutrons and two protons, called an alpha particle (α-radiation), • Electrons or positrons, called beta particles (β-radiation), • Electromagnetic energy in the form of gamma radiation (γ-radiation) or X-rays, and/or • Neutrons. Radioactive Material Regulations Review 2 <<>> Alpha radiation consists of high-energy particles that are relatively large, heavy, and only travel a short distance. Alpha particles lose their energy very rapidly, have a low penetrating ability and a short range of travel - only a few inches in air. Because of the alpha particle’s short range and limited penetrating ability, external shielding is not required. A few inches of air, a sheet of paper, or the dead (outer) layer of skin that surrounds our bodies easily stops alpha particles. Alpha radiation poses minimal biological hazard outside the body. The greatest hazard from alpha-emitting material occurs when the material is inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through open wounds. Once inside the body, the alpha radiation can cause harm to individual cells or organs. Common alpha emitters transported include smoke detectors containing americium-241. Beta radiation consists of particles that are smaller, lighter, and travel farther than alpha radiation. Beta radiation is more penetrating than alpha radiation. The range of penetration in human tissue is less than ¼ inch. In air, beta radiation can travel several feet. Beta radiation may be blocked or shielded by plastic, aluminum, thick cardboard, several layers of clothing or the walls of a building. Outside the body, beta radiation constitutes only a slight hazard. Because beta radiation penetrates only a fraction of an inch into living skin tissue, it does not reach the major organs of the body. However, exposure to high levels of beta radiation can cause damage to the skin and eyes. Internally, beta radiation is less hazardous than alpha radiation because beta particles travel farther than alpha particles and, as a result, the energy deposited by the beta radiation is spread out over a larger area. This causes less harm to individual cells or organs. Common beta emitters transported include medical isotopes such as iodine-131, carbon-14, tritium (H-3), and sulfur-35. Gamma radiation frequently accompanies the emission of alpha and beta radiation. Gamma radiation, like X-rays, is electromagnetic radiation. This means that it does not consist of particles like alpha and beta radiation but, rather, waves of energy that have no mass and no electrical charge. Because they have no mass and no electrical charge, they are able to travel great distances and require dense material for shielding. Gamma radiation poses a hazard to the entire body because it can easily penetrate human tissue. Lead, steel, and concrete are commonly used to shield gamma radiation. Common gamma emitters transported include radiography sources such as cobalt-60 and iridium-192. Neutron radiation can travel great distances and is highly penetrating like gamma radiation. Thus, neutron radiation is an external and internal hazard. It is best shielded with material having a high hydrogen content (e.g., water, plastic). The ease with which neutrons can be shielded and detected depends on their energy; fast neutrons can be shielded by hydrogenous material while cadmium or boron can be used to shield slow thermal neutrons. In transportation situations, neutron radiation is not commonly encountered. Neutron emitters transported include californium-252 and spent nuclear fuel. C. Radiation Protection Principles A key principle of radiation protection is the minimization of dose. The external dose received is the product of the dose rate and the time exposed. Dose from external radiation can be reduced by either: Radioactive Material Regulations Review 3 <<>> • reducing the activity of the source, • increasing shielding around the source • increasing the distance from the source, or • reducing the time spent near the source. Transport packages provide distance and shielding from the contained material, as needed to maintain safe dose rates at the surface of the package. Transport packages also provide for containment of the radioactive material. If the containment is breached, the material can contaminate objects and potentially be inhaled or ingested by people. Contamination can be either fixed or removable. Removable, or non-fixed contamination, is contamination that is deposited on the surface of objects or personnel that can readily be picked up or wiped up by physical or mechanical means during a survey or through decontamination efforts. Fixed contamination is bound to the contaminated surface and not easily removed and so presents primarily a radiation hazard and not a contamination hazard. D. SI and Customary Radiological Units To ensure compatibility with international transportation standards, units of measure in the HMR are expressed using International System of Units (SI) units. U.S. standard or customary units, which appear in parentheses following the SI units, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be the regulatory standard. Shipping papers and labels must use the International System of Units (SI) units, which may be followed by customary units in parentheses. The basic SI unit for quantity of radioactive material is the becquerel (Bq), and the customary unit is the curie (Ci). One becquerel is equivalent to one atom decaying (or disintegrating) each second. A curie (Ci), originally defined as the activity of 1.0 g of radium, is equal to 3.7 x 1010 Bq. For radiation levels, or dose rates, the basic SI unit is the sievert per hour (Sv/h), and the customary unit is rem per hour (rem/h). The information in Appendix A may be useful in converting values between SI Units and customary units. E. Radiation Exposures and Biological Effects The average annual radiation exposure from natural sources to an individual in the United States is about 3 millisieverts (mSv) (equivalent to 300 millirem (mrem)); however, levels of background radiation vary greatly from one location to the next. Radon gas accounts for two-thirds of this exposure, while cosmic, terrestrial, and internal radiation account for the remaining third. Man-made sources of radiation from medical, commercial, and industrial activities contribute about another 0.6 mSv (60 mrem) annually, with diagnostic medical procedures accounting for about 0.4 mSv (40 mrem) of this. Consumer products such as tobacco, fertilizer, welding rods, gas mantles, luminous watch dials, and smoke detectors contribute another 0.1 mSv (10 mrem) to annual radiation exposure. Radioactive Material Regulations Review 4 <<>> Radiation is known to be carcinogenic at high doses. The association between radiation exposure and the development of cancer is mostly based on populations exposed to high levels of radiation. Currently there are no data to unequivocally establish the occurrence of cancer following exposure to low doses and dose rates, i.e., those below about 100 mSv (10,000 mrem). However, it is conservatively assumed that any amount of radiation exposure may pose some risk for causing cancer and hereditary effects, and that the risk is higher for higher radiation exposures. The following figure provides some radiation doses in perspective. Figure 1 – Radiation Doses In Perspective (in millirem) Radioactive Material Regulations Review 5 <<>> III. TRANSPORT SAFETY REGULATIONS A. International Regulations There are a number of - **truncated:** true - **body characters:** 200798