Radiation Safety
Radiation safety support is an essential part of the University of Louisville’s research enterprise.
Radiation Safety Program
Support for Research Community
Our program helps protect faculty, staff and students and supports strong and innovative basic, translational and applied research programs, and ensures the responsible use of radiation across campus. The Radiation Safety Program oversees how radioactive materials and radiation‑producing equipment are used in research laboratories, core facilities and other research spaces.
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) works closely with Principal Investigators, research teams and UofL research review committees and provides services including assistance with authorizations for radioactive materials and X‑ray equipment, laboratory inspections, monitoring radiation exposure of users, safety training, coordination of radioactive waste disposal and expert technical advice. These services protect researchers, the public, and the environment while allowing UofL to continue advancing discovery, innovation and real‑world impact in support of the university’s research and public service mission.
Support for UofL Health System
Our Radiation Safety Program supports the UofL Health System (8 hospitals and the Brown Cancer Center) and plays an important role in keeping patients, staff, and the community safe while supporting high‑quality care of patients being treated for various diseases and cancers. Our program provides radiation safety services to UofL Health via contract to diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, radiation therapy to help ensure that radioactive materials and radiation‑producing equipment are used safely in all of their hospitals and clinics.
DEHS works closely with UofL Health leaders, clinical teams and technical staff to promote safe day-to day practices and operations providing a wide range of radiation safety services including dosimetry to monitor radiation exposure of faculty and staff, safety training, routine inspections, incident response and expert technical advice on shielding and patient dose calculations. Together, these services help reduce risk, support safe and effective patient care and reinforce UofL’s role as a dependable academic and healthcare partner.
Questions regarding the Radiation Safety Program can be directed to the Radiation Safety Officer at 502-852-5231.
Radiation Safety Program Highlights
The University has been granted two "Type A - broad scope" licenses for radioactive material possession by the state of Kentucky. As a condition of these licenses the University has chartered the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) as the oversight committee for issues of radiation safety at the University and U of L Hospital. RSC membership includes representatives of both the faculty and administration. The RSC sets university policies and oversees the implementation of all aspects of the safe use of radioisotopes and radiation on the Belknap campus, the Health Sciences Campus, the Shelby Campus and the UofL Hospital. The goal of the RSC is to ensure the protection of all University personnel and the general public regarding the safe use of radioisotopes and radiation.
The RSC meets quarterly. Meetings are sometimes rescheduled, so please contact DEHS at 502-852-6670 to confirm meeting dates and locations.
Today, lasers may be used in almost all aspects of research, manufacturing, and clinical use. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) provides safety services to the users and operators of lasers in the research and education portions of the campus community.
The University of Louisville Environmental Health and Safety operates a Radiation Producing Machine Program through the Radiation Safety Office. There are a variety of radiation producing machines that are used on campus for research purposes using the machines for diagnostic imaging and therapy. The purpose of the program is to ensure the safety of campus staff and students when using machines that produce ionizing radiation. The type of units utilized at the University are:
- X-ray irradiators
- X-ray diffraction units
- Cabinet X-ray units
- C-arm or fluoroscopy units
- X-ray units
The components of the program include:
- Shielding calculations in the areas where radiation producing machines are kept that are not self-shielded
- Registration of all radiation producing machines with the State of Kentucky Radiation Health Branch
- Performing radiation safety tests as required per regulation
- Radiation dosimetry program to monitor personnel radiation exposure as required
- Training as needed
- Investigation of incidents or injuries
PLEASE NOTE: Any vendor of radiation producing equipment must also be registered with the State of Kentucky Radiation Health Branch prior to selling the equipment in the state of Kentucky.
CONTACT THE RADIATION SAFETY PRIOR TO PURCHASING ANY RADIATION PRODUCING EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE THE REQUIRED SHIELDING, REGISTRATION, AND COMPLIANCE ISSUES ARE COMPLETED.
Radiation producing machines such as x-ray, diffraction, c-arm units
- Contact Radiation Safety directly for shielding, registration, procedures, and dosimetry requirements
X-ray Irradiator
- We have 2 x-ray irradiators on HSC for research use; both are managed by Radiation Safety Office
- Contact Radiation Safety Office for the use of these units. They require training on the use and access to login and perform irradiation procedures
- These units are self-shielded and do not require any personnel monitoring for exposure
- You must have a documented registration form and training with Radiation Safety Office to use these units