Labelling and Marking Radioactive Materials
The labelling and marking requirements for radioactive materials can vary depending on the mode of transport used and the precise nature and quantity of the substance. Here are a few general principles which can be followed, along with checking the exact requirements in the appropriate dangerous goods regulations.
Although interest in the transport of radioactive materials tends to focus on the nuclear industry, by far the greatest transport of these materials occurs for medical use. In the UK, these are predominantly Type A ,and excepted packages. Type A packages are intended for safe and economical transport of radioactive materials and they must maintain integrity in minor accidents, such as falling from a vehicle or being exposed to water.The size or weight of a package does not indicate how much radioactivity is in the shipment. There is no direct correlation between the physical size of the material and the level of radioactivity.
Radioactive Class 7 Labels for Packages
These labels are used only on packages containing (or previously containing) radioactive materials. Class 7 labels are 100mm square, set at a point, and should be made of a durable material. The use of the word RADIOACTIVE in the bottom half of the label is optional.
Although the package required for transporting radioactive material is based on the activity INSIDE the package, the label required on the package is based on the radiation hazard OUTSIDE the package. Radioactive material is the only hazardous material which has three possible labels, depending on the relative radiation levels external to the package. Also, labels for radioactive material are the only ones which require the shipper to write some information on the label. The information is a number called the Transport Index (TI), which, in reality, is the highest radiation level at 1 meter from the surface of the package.
The three labels are commonly called White I, Yellow II, and Yellow III, referring to the color of the label and the Roman Numeral prominently displayed. The White I label has no TI, the Yellow II label must have a TI no greater than 1, and the Yellow III would have a TI greater than 1.
Transport Index associated with conditions of use of different categories of package
Category I – White, Transport Index 0 (No Transport Index is required for category I-WHITE).
For Category 1 packages, the name, or symbol, of the radionuclide and the activity (in Bq multiples) of the contents must be marked on the label. Used for extremely low levels of radiation.
The background colour of the label must be white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing must be black, and the colour of the category bar must be red.
Category II – yellow, Transport Index 0-1
For Category 2 packages, the the name, or symbol, of the radionuclide, the activity (in Bq multiples) and the appropriate Transport Index must be marked on the label. Used for low radiation levels.
The background colour of the upper half of the label must be yellow and the lower half white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing must be black, and the colour of the category bars must be red.
Category III – yellow. Transport Index > 1 < 10
For Category 3 packages, the the name, or symbol, of the radionuclide, the activity (in Bq multiples) and the appropriate Transport Index must be marked on the label. Used for higher radiation levels.
The background colour of the upper half of the label must be yellow and the lower half white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing must be black, and the colour of the category bars must be red.
Label Placement
The appropriate category labels should be affixed to two opposite sides of the outside of the package. Full details of label design are given in Chapter 5.2 of the ADR. In addition, details of the consignor and consignee should be clearly indicated and the correct UN number and proper shipping name must be clearly and durably displayed.
Fissile Material Labels
Fissile labels apply to packages that contain fissile materials – materials that are capable of sustaining a nuclear fission chain reaction. These materials are the key component of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices. The three primary fissile materials are uranium-233, uranium-235, and plutonium-239.
The Fissile label is used as an additional label that appears alongside the radioactive material label.
The Criticality Safety Index (CSI) for each package must be noted on the label. The CSI is a number (rounded up to the next tenth) that appears on the label assigned to a package containing fissile material and is used to provide control over the accumulation of packages containing fissile material. The CSI for an overpack, freight container, consignment, or conveyance containing fissile material packages is the arithmetic sum of the criticality safety indices of all the fissile material packages contained within the overpack, freight container, consignment, or conveyance.
Criticality safety index label. The background colour of the label must be white, the colour of the printing must be black.
Package Markings
Package markings are different to labels and are designed to inform transportation workers and emergency response personnel about the package’s radioactive contents. Markings may be printed directly on a cardboard container or attached via a printed shipment specific label to more robust containers.
Some of the markings on a radioactive material package can include the following: Proper Shipping Name, Package type, UN number, weight, emergency contact information, and orientation arrows to show which way the package should be up – this is a good indication that the package contains liquids.
Excepted Packages
Transport Label for Excepted Package (IATA)
Excepted packages are authorised for limited quantities of radioactive material that have a very low level of radioactivity and would pose a very low hazard if released in an accident.
Excepted packages are the most basic category of package and may be used for the lowest risk material. This term should not be confused with “exempt” and merely indicates that this category is excepted (excluded) from some of the more stringent packaging, labelling, and shipping document requirements; they are however, required to have the letters ‘UN’ and the appropriate UN number marked on the outside of the package.
Examples of material typically shipped in excepted packaging include consumer goods such as smoke detectors.
The label must be at least 74x105mm and the border of the label must have red diagonal hatchings. The label may be printed in black and red, on white, or red only, on white. The text “The information for this package need not appear on the Notification to Captain (NOTOC” is optional and does not have to appear on the label.
It should be noted that the dangerous goods regulations do not differentiate between radioactive sources and radioactive waste when it comes to excepted package quantities. As long as the waste fulfils the requirements for excepted packages it can be transported as such.
Radioactive Class 7 Placards
All vehicles transporting any type of labelled radioactive package, other than excepted packages, must display Class 7 vehicle placards.
Placards are larger versions of the package labels and are placed on bulk packages or transport vehicles to communicate the hazards of hazardous material inside.
Placards must be printed in the square-on-point configuration measuring 250 mm on all sides (about 10 x 10″) and include a solid inner border that is 12.5 mm from the edge of the placard. The figure 7 must be 25mm, or larger.
The placard should be affixed to all four sides of the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon; be affixed in a vertical plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon; and, be clearly visible.
This article should not be used in substitute for checking the exact requirements in the applicable modal regulations.
We advise customers to check with the relevant dangerous goods regulations as to whether or not there are any restrictions or special provisions that may affect their shipment.