15 Researchers at UC San Diego Are Exposed to Low-Level Radiation

Fifteen UC San Diego researchers were exposed to low-level radiation Wednesday night after walking through or touching some spilled radioactive liquid, a university safety officer said.

None of the people had to be hospitalized.

The contamination occurred in a laboratory in Pacific Hall as postdoctoral bioresearchers were conducting an annual cleanup, said John Palmer, safety officer for the chemistry and biochemistry departments.

“Somebody inadvertently lifted up a waste container and started this incident,” he said. “Some of the material spilled and some of the researchers stepped in the slight contamination. They used a survey meter to determine that radioisotopes had spilled and that some had tracked it into the hallway.”

Pacific Hall houses biology labs and faculty offices.

Palmer said the material is sulfur-35, a radioactive isotope, and exposure level was low, the same level of radiation that a person would experience in exposure to the sun or during an X-ray. Palmer said isotopes are used in medicines.

“This is a low-energy isotope that won’t penetrate easily through paper or even dead skin cells. What we use is fairly low-level radioactive,” he said.

The researchers had to remove their clothing and get washed down by firefighters who used a fine-spray hose and strong soap. After the decontamination process, the researchers had to wear safety suits.

“We want to make sure they’re not tracking any of this home or that any of them were exposed on the wrist above their gloves,” Palmer said.

Palmer said most, if not all of the researchers would be able to go home after firefighters and hazardous materials experts had finished their reports.