Radiation Safety Summer Student Policy

Welcome aboard to all of our 2023 summer students! Below are a few reminders about the NIH policy concerning minors and the use of radioactive material. See the Division of Radiation Safety (DRS) website for a more complete list of DRS Requirements for Minors.

  • Minors under the age of 16 are prohibited from working with radiation
  • Minors who are 16 or 17 years of age are prohibited from handling source vials
  • Minors must complete the application and receive signed approval from the Radiation Safety Officer before they use any radioactive material, radiation producing devices or sealed source irradiators
  • Minors are ineligible for unescorted access to sealed source irradiators
  • All minors working in a laboratory posted for radioactive material use who DO NOT intend to use radioactive material must take the Radiation Safety Orientation training
  • All minors must complete a Dosimetry Evaluation Form (DEF)
  • All use of radiation by an RSO-approved minor must be directly supervised by a trained adult NIH staff member at all times
  • All use of radioactive material by the minor MUST be supervised by the designated Authorized User (AU)
  • Written consent of the student's parents/guardians is required as part of the approval process.
  • Prohibited from handling Volatile Radioactive Active Material (RAM)

Dose limits for minors are 10% of the limit for adults​