For radiation safety's sake

General Article
October 16, 2003

Safety team supports scientists working with radioactivity in center labs

Kate Rice, an intern from Stanford University, displays a Geiger counter used to measure radiation levels in the Press lab. Photo by Todd McNaught

By MELINDA YOUNG

Mention radioactivity and the mind may envision an eerie glow. But at Fred Hutchinson, where radioactivity is a vital research tool in more than 80 labs, it is a means to major advances in science.

Dr. John Pagel uses radioactive isotopes in four of his clinical trials and stresses the importance of these materials to his work in the Clinical Research Division. He and his colleagues in Dr. Oliver Press' lab study radioactivity-labeled antibodies as possible tools for curing lymphomas.

"Radioactive isotopes are simply critical for us to do science," Pagel said. "If we weren't compliant with state radiation-use regulations and were to lose our license, there is no way we could do the type of cutting-edge research we do here at the center."

Scientists have enough on their hands without having to think about the strict rules and regulations governing radiation use. That is the job of the center's radiation-safety team.

"We are charged with keeping up with state regulations," said Bruce Busby, radiation-safety officer and manager. "Our job is to ensure the health and safety of lab workers using radiation."

Experts on board

Part of the Environmental Health and Safety department, the radiation-safety team is made up of Busby; David Gillette, assistant radiation safety officer; Emily Brown, technician; and Phil Campbell, senior technician. Busby has worked in radiation safety for 18 years. He, Gillette and Campbell spent time in the Naval Nuclear Power Program in jobs that prepared them well for the center's smaller radiation program. Brown's interest in radioactivity and knowledge of the center from her previous job in Animal Health make her another great fit for the team.

Conducting quarterly audits of every lab that uses radioactivity keeps the team busy. They measure levels of radioactivity, calibrate equipment and make sure labs follow general radiation-safety standards. Their primary focus, though, is to be available to address the questions and concerns of workers using radiation.

Team members also are available to offer quick response to the occasional mishap. Small spills in the lab are inevitable. Lab coats and shoes may do time in one of the storage rooms, where items contaminated from spills are enclosed in bags until the respective isotope decays to background levels.

People usually get their clothes back without any problem. But Brown and Campbell recalled a few times when they found unpleasant surprises on shoes after they were "safe" for use. With the array of odors and growths encountered during the several-month stay, it's no surprise the owners typically don't ask for the return of their shoes.

Anine Grumbles, state inspector with the Department of Health Division of Radiation Protection, has positive things to say about the team's work.

"The group is generally proactive and experienced and appears to work very well together," she said. This level of teamwork is evidenced by the high marks the program continues to receive during yearly state inspections.

Collaborative customer service

Having a broad-scope state license at the center means that EH&S has the primary responsibility for issuing permits and monitoring all users of radioactivity. A license of this type costs more for the center because it means more intensive monitoring processes, but the advantages are worth it. Principal investigators (PIs) apply for permits to use radioactivity directly through the radiation-safety team. And in many instances, their lab can be licensed within the hour.

"There isn't a whole lot that we can't do here," Busby said. "At other smaller institutions, investigators have to take every permit request to the state. This can take months at a time. Instead, our team is licensed to quickly provide permits as we deem fit."

As a result, studies in which radioactivity use is essential continue to increase at the center. For example, Dr. Jim Olson's lab currently uses the linear accelerator to irradiate specific areas of the brain and research the resulting inflammation, while Dr. Brenda Sandmaier's lab examines alternatives to total-body irradiation and systemic chemotherapy for stem-cell transplantation.

An emphasis on customer service for all labs that use radiation was launched a few years ago under the direction of Debbie Shiozaki, EH&S manager. When Busby, a former inspector with the Department of Health, joined the center and the radiation-safety program expanded to four members, the focus began to shift even more toward customer service. They wanted to make it clear that they work with the labs as collaborators, not as "watchdogs."

"We want to have a friendly relationship with the labs," Gillette said. "Our goal is to help researchers do their work without taking an adversarial approach." While the team has to be strict about many regulations because of state directives, they are doing it for the betterment of the science.

Dr. Andrew Taylor, a staff scientist in the Smith lab, praised the team for its collaborative approach. "They have eased the paperwork load significantly and their new customer service focus has been notable."

Critical response

Drs. Taylor and Pagel are both members of the radiation-safety committee. Comprised of PIs and staff scientists, the committee audits the radiation-safety team and helps Busby develop new policies and procedures. In reviewing and approving the use of radioactive material at the center, the committee has a hands-on role in radiation-safety processes. What's more, they can better learn the intricacies of state regulations and relay them to their own staff.

The more involved scientists are in radiation-safety efforts, the more the collaboration with the radiation-safety team can flourish. And that, say all four team members, is what it's all about ? working together and making the research life a little easier for scientists.

"They are tremendously helpful at meeting our needs and making sure we're doing the right thing," Pagel said. "They are on top of things, thorough, diligent and responsive. And with all the work that we do using radiation, that is absolutely critical."

[Melinda Young is a journalism student and a former training coordinator in the Human Resources Department.]

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