Authorizations
To meet regulatory requirements, radioactive materials use at the University is managed by a Radioactive Use Permit. The Permit authorizes a faculty member (Authorized User) to use specific radioactive material, radiation generating devices or lasers in his or her laboratory under the University's Radioactive Materials License issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Radiation Control Program. Under the License, the University can purchase, process and use radioactive materials under a prescriptive set of conditions. To ensure compliance, the License establishes a Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) to oversee the University's radiation safety program. The RSC is the University Standing Committee responsible for radiation safety and is governed by the License and its Charter. One of the RSC's responsibilities is to issue Radioactive Use Permits that have been reviewed and recommended by the Radiation Protection Office (RPO).
To apply for a Permit, download the Permit Application and follow the process outlined in Obtaining a Permit. When the RPO receives the application, a health physicist will meet with the faculty member to review the application, discuss radiation safety aspects of the experiments and assist in the set up of radiation use laboratories. The Radiation Protection Officer will make a recommendation to the RSC, which will vote by either a mail ballot or the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Email radiation_protection at harvard dot edu to send comments and suggestions to the Radiation Protection Office
