PPE – glove selection

Wear gloves any time that you could comein contact with radioactive material.

Select glove based on the chemical(s) inuse. Be aware that no one glove is completelychemical resistant.

Non latex gloves are available for those withlatex allergies.

Where to get glove information

Talk to your supervisor,

Read the chemical(s) MSDS sheet forinformation about glove selection,

Information is also available from thechemical manufacturer or from numerousInternet sites. For example, see:

http://www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezf191.htm

Or contact EH&S for assistance.

Radiation can penetrate gloves

Although gloves can shield the skin from theradioactive chemical itself, the radiation emittedfrom the radioisotope can penetrate the gloveand deliver radiation dose to the skin.X-ray and gamma radiation easily penetratestandard lab gloves. ~90% of high energybeta radiation, such as from P-32, alsopenetrate lab gloves. Betas from very lowenergy betas and alphas may be shielded.

Removing gloves

Grasp first glove several inches from wrist, peel the glove off the handso that the glove is inside out. Hold removed glove in hand that is stillgloved.

With clean [glove free] hand, insert fingers under cuff ofsecond glove. Remove second glove from underneath.Avoid touching outside of second glove. Second glove isnow 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.