Is a urine sample necessary for molecular biological work with radionuclides?

In molecular biology, radionuclides are used primarily for analytical and diagnostic purposes. Typical applications include the radioactive labeling of nucleic acids and proteins, as well as the labeling of metabolites and drugs in cell and tissue diagnostics. The radionuclides used here include, in particular, 32P and 33P (phosphorus-32 and -33, respectively), 35S (sulfur-35), 3H (tritium), 14C (carbon-14), and 125I (iodine-125).

According to § 64 para. 1 StrlSchV, the Radiation protection officers to ensure that persons who are in a Radiation protection area (§ 52 StrSchV) who Body dose To determine the body dose, the Personal dose be determined with an officially approved dosimeter. Based on the exposure conditions, the authority may additionally or differently determine that, among other things, the body activity or the Activity of excretions is measured (§ 65 para. 1 StrlSchV). Exceptions to the determination of the body dose can be used by people residing in Surveillance area apply if in the calendar year a effective dose of 1 mSv , an organ equivalent dose higher than 15 mSv for the lens of the eye and a local skin dose of 50 mSv are not reached. This applies unless the competent authority explicitly requires an assessment. Exceptions to the assessment of the body dose for persons staying in Control area The responsible authority must explicitly approve these.

In principle, the regulations and limits already specified for radiation protection regarding effective dose, organ equivalent dose for the lens of the eye, and local skin dose also apply to persons who are not in a radiation protection area when performing work involving radionuclides. In the event of a missed or incorrect measurement, the radiation protection officer must ensure, in accordance with Section 65 (2) of the Radiation Protection Ordinance, that the competent authority is informed and the dose is estimated.

To finally clarify which regulations and exceptions apply in your laboratory, you should carefully check the radiation protection instructions applicable to your laboratory as well as the conditions of the approval notice.