PPE – glove selection 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.

Radiation can penetrate gloves Although gloves can shield the skin from the radioactive chemical itself, the radiation emitted from the radioisotope can penetrate the glove and deliver radiation dose to the skin. X-ray and gamma radiation easily penetrate standard lab gloves. ~90% of high energy beta radiation, such as from P-32, also penetrate lab gloves. Betas from very low energy betas and alphas may be shielded.

Removing gloves Grasp first glove several inches from wrist, peel the glove off the hand so that the glove is inside out. Hold removed glove in hand that is still gloved. 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.