Radiation Emergencies

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Find contact information for emergencies involving radioactive material or X-ray devices.

Contact Numbers for Radation Emergencies

During normal working hours:

  • Call Environment, Health & Safety at 829-3281 for assistance.

After normal working hours, call as follows:

  • North & South Campuses: Call UB Police at 645-2222.
  • Center of Excellence (COE) in Bioinformatics: Call Roswell Park Cancer Institute Security at 845-3333 for emergency assistance.
  • Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC): For Fire, Police or Medical Emergency, call 9-1-1. After business hours, call Buffalo General Security at 859-7911.

Handling Radioactive Material Spills

  • Stop the spill. Turn the container up right and/or apply absorbent material to minimize spread of contamination.
  • Warn others. Notify all other persons in the room to avoid the spill.
  • Isolate the spill. Prevent others from entering the area. 
  • Minimize exposure. For small spills initiate decontamination. Otherwise obtain assistance from EH&S. Begin at the periphery and work towards the center. Place contaminated items in the proper waste containers.
  • Survey the area. Perform and document the decontamination.

Personnel Contamination

  • Notify all other persons in the area and ask for assistance.
  • If contamination is found on skin or personal clothing or internal exposure (inhalation/ingestion) is suspected, immediately notify EH&S.
  • Remove contaminated clothing.
  • Wash contaminated skin or hair with mild soap and water. Do not irritate the skin.
  • Do not leave the area until found free of contamination.

Radioactive Material Lost or Released to the Environment

Notify EH&S immediately if radioactive material is missing or inadvertently released to the sewer, non-radioactive trash or air.

Contact an Expert

head shot of Jeffrey Slawson Radiation Safety Officer.

Jeffrey Slawson, CHP

Radiation Safety Officer

Environment, Health & Safety

Phone: 716-829-5823

Email: jslawson@buffalo.edu