Personal Protective Equipment Wear gloves any time that you could come in contact with radioactive material. Select glove based on the chemical(s) in use. Be aware that no one glove is completely chemical resistant. Non latex gloves are available for those with latex allergies.

Where to get glove information Talk to your supervisor, Read the chemical(s) MSDS sheet for information about glove selection, Information is also available from the chemical manufacturer or from numerous Internet sites. For example, see: Or contact EH&S for assistance.

Ability to Penetrate Gloves Although gloves may protect the skin from the radioactive chemical itself, the radiation emitted by the radioactive material potentially can penetrate the glove, resulting in radiation dose to the skin. X-ray and gamma radiation easily penetrate standard lab gloves. Beta particles emitted by soft radionuclides ( 3 H, 14 C, 35 S) are not energetic enough and unlikely to penetrate the glove thickness; however, higher energy beta particles such as those emitted by 32 P potentially will penetrate lab gloves.

Removing Gloves Grasp first glove several inches from wrist, peel the glove off the hand, such that the glove is inside out. Hold the removed glove in hand that is still covered. With clean [glove free] hand, insert fingers under cuff of second glove. Remove second glove from underneath. Avoid touching outside of second glove. Second glove is now inside out with first glove contained within it. Dispose of gloves in appropriate laboratory waste container. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Transporting Radioactive Material Between Labs Use a secondary container that is clean, not contaminated, unbreakable and which has a tight fitting lid. This will allow you to carry radioactive material through internal Tufts hallways from lab to lab eliminating the need to wear gloves in hallways. For large, heavy or cumbersome items, use a cart for radioactive material/equipment transfer.