Radioactive Material Labels

Radioactive Materials labels are based on the type and quantity of radioactive material being shipped and the associated levels of radiation. Radioactive White–I, Radioactive Yellow–II, and Radioactive Yellow–III are used as labels on radioactive material packaging. Radioactive label markings are used during an incident to evaluate the integrity of the packaging. DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations define radioactive material placard and label requirements. These requirements are:

  • Contents—Radioactive content of the packaging
  • Activity—Rate of disintegration or decay of a radioactive material; activity indicates how much radioactivity is present and not how much material is present
  • Transport Index (TI)—Maximum radiation level in millirems per hour (mrem/hour) at one meter (3 feet) from an undamaged package; TI can be an indicator for determining the external radiation hazard of an undamaged package and can be used as a starting point for determining whether or not damage has occurred
    • Radioactive White I Label—Packages with extremely low or almost no level of radiation. Maximum contact radiation level of 0.5 mrem/hour. No TI on this label
    • Radioactive Yellow II Label—Packages with low radiation levels. Maximum contact radiation level ranging from 0.5 mrem/hour to 50 mrem/hour. Maximum allowable TI = 1
    • Radioactive Yellow III Label—Packages with higher radiation levels. Maximum contact radiation level ranging from 50 mrem/hour to 200 mrem/hour. Also required for Fissile Class III or large quantity shipments, regardless of radiation level. Maximum allowable TI = 10

Fissile Labels are used in combination with the appropriate labels above and indicate the presence of a material capable of undergoing fission reactions such as uranium and plutonium.

Three radioactive placards one white diamond placard with the radioactive symbol on top, with the word radioactive in black, with a red Roman numeral one and a black seven at the bottom. Below that placard and to the left, a yellow and white placard with a radioactive symbol on top, the word radioactive in black below that and a red Roman numeral two with a black number seven on the bottom. On the bottom right the same type placard, except with a red Roman numeral three.