Purchasing Restricted Substances

Approval of Radioactive Material Purchases

To purchase any radioactive material at the University, you must have a valid radioactive materials (RAM) permit issued by Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). The possession and use of radioactive substances and nuclear materials is regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission under an institutional licence.

All purchases of radioactive materials must be approved by EHS Radiation Protection Service (RPS) prior to ordering or receipt of the material. This requirement applies to purchases, gifts, exchanges and donations of radioactive materials.

The use of radioactive materials within institutions other than the University of Toronto, such as teaching hospitals, are covered under separate Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) licences.

The review and approval process applies to all:

Open-source radioisotopes
Sealed radioactive sources, radiation devices (Liquid Scintillation Counters, Gas Chromatographs, Static eliminators, Aerosol neutralizers, Calibration sources, etc.)
Safeguarded nuclear materials (compounds of Uranium, Thorium and Plutonium)
Stable isotopes used as chemicals

The CNSC requires the University to maintain a record of all radioactive materials received under the Consolidated Licence. This information is reported to the CNSC annually or more frequently and must be available for inspection by the CNSC on demand.

Obtaining a Valid University Permit

To obtain a valid university permit, contact:

Radiation Protection Service
Environmental Health and Safety
215 Huron Street, 7^th Floor
rps.ehs@utoronto.ca
(416) 978-6846

Completing an Electronic Purchase Requisition

Purchases of Radioactive materials must be initiated by creating an electronic Purchase Requisition in FIS. For step-by-step instructions see the FAST Team’s Reference Guide –
Create Purchase Requisition for Isotope .

Create PR for Isotope

All orders for radioactive materials require the following minimum information for approval by Radiation Protection Service:

Permit Number
Permit Holder Name
Radioisotope
Chemical Form
Activity per unit stock vial (mCi, uCi or MBq)
Number of stock vials ordered
Supplier Name
Requisition Date
Expected Day of Delivery
Delivery Location (Building and Room Number)
Requisitioner’s Name

Orders are reviewed usually between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. Orders must be placed by 10:30 am in order to be approved on the same business day.

Additional Information

The EHS Radiation Protection Service holds the sole responsibility for negotiating with the appropriate authorities and has within the University jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to the use, handling, storage and disposal of radioactive materials and the installation, development and operating of equipment producing ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation.

Therefore, material for use within the University must be purchased under the University license. Materials for use outside the University must be purchased under the external institution’s CNSC licence. Material being transferred between the University and external institutions must adhere to the CNSC and Transport Canada requirements for transfer and transport between licensees. Permit holders must contact the EHS Radiation Protection Service to make appropriate arrangements for such transfers.