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Question 229: Will the radiographers have to wipe test the
sealed source upon receipt (10 CFR 20.1906 (b) (1)) even if
the manufacturer has performed a recent leak test on the
source?
Answer: The requirements of 20.1906 refer to the external
surface of package, not the source itself; the requirement
to wipe test a source is usually a license condition. If
the source is not a gas or not in special form, the
licensee is required to monitor the labeled package (White
I, Yellow II or III) for contamination regardless of
whether a leak test has been performed. If the source is
in special form as defined in 10 CFR 71.4, the external
surface of the package does not need to be monitored for
contamination. (Reference: 10 CFR 20.1906, 71.4)