Radioactive Sources Applications and Alternative Technologies (2021) / Chapter Skim
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1 Background and Study Task
1 Background and Study Task
Pages 11-24
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From page 11... ...
Although adequate security measures can reduce the risks posed by radioactive sources, the most direct approach to risk reduction is elimination of radioisotope use and its replacement with technologies that do not pose such risks but can adequately perform the intended function of the radioactive sources. Hospitals, research centers, and governments have increasingly recognized the safety and security risks and liabilities associated with possession of radioactive sources and in some cases are voluntarily removing and replacing them with alternative technologies.
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From page 12... ...
ORS is charged to "work with government, law enforcement, and businesses across the globe to protect radioactive sources used for medical, research, and commercial purposes; remove and dispose of disused radioactive sources; and reduce the global reliance on high activity radioactive sources through the promotion of viable nonradioisotopic alternative technologies."3 ORS requested that the National Academies review and assess developments in radioactive source applications and feasible alternative technologies for replacing the radioactive sources currently used in those applications. The goal of this study is to provide technical information and independent insights that can support existing and future activities of ORS aiming to reduce the current use of high-risk radiological materials in these applications and promote alternative technologies.
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From page 13... ...
sections collectively provided several hours of briefings on the agency's activities related to radioactive sources and alternative technologies for all SIDEBAR 1.1 Statement of Task The National Academies will appoint an ad hoc committee of experts to carry out principal tasks: 1. to review (using the 2008 National Academies report Radiation Source Use and Replacement as a baseline)
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From page 14... ...
1.2 THE RADIOACTIVE SOURCE CATEGORIZATION SYSTEM The IAEA is the leading international organization for intergovernmental scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear and radiological field. In 2004, the IAEA published the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (IAEA, 2004)
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socioeconomic consequences of radiological incidents that involve these radioactive sources. For factor (a)
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From page 16... ...
. In addition, real-life experience from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident and other radiological incidents has demonstrated that radiation releases and radiation exposures to populations far below the levels that can cause deterministic effects can have serious and long-term socioeconomic consequences (see Sections 2.3.2 and 2.3.4)
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From page 17... ...
. Future availability of cesium-137 in the form of cesium chloride is uncertain because a number of countries aim to eliminate risks associated with this form.
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government enhance support of research and development of alternative technologies to replace the use of high-risk radioactive sources and establish a government-incentivized program for replacement of high-risk devices with effective alternatives (U.S.
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1.4.1 Proposed Change to Ranking of Source Hazards The 2008 National Academies report highlighted that the U.S. NRC ranks the hazards of radioactive sources primarily based on the potential for deterministic health effects (death or severe bodily harm due to radiation)
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From page 20... ...
When the 2008 report was issued, approximately 550 licensees in the United States possessed about 1,100 self-contained cesium chloride irradiators, which contain at a minimum Category 2 quantities of radioactivity. The report concluded that for most applications, radioactive cesium chloride could be replaced by either less hazardous forms of radioactive cesium, radioactive cobalt, or nonradionuclide alternatives.
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From page 21... ...
The financial incentives offered by CIRP, powered by technological advancements that have improved the reliability of x-ray irradiation devices, have made the program successful in replacing cesium irradiators domestically. The increased regulatory requirements for high-activity radioactive sources in recent years have also driven users to switch to x-ray irradiators.
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From page 22... ...
ORS also supports cesium irradiator replacements internationally. Sandia representatives noted that the international aspect of the program is more complicated due to different in-country rules and regulations; ambiguous lines of authority regarding licensing and regulation of alternative technologies; infrastructure constraints; and challenges with international contracting, among other factors.14 Regarding export of cesium chloride sources, the 2010 Task Force Report recommended, A decision on whether to discontinue U.S.
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From page 23... ...
These reports span various topics related to radioactive sources including safety and security (IAEA, 2004, 2005, 2008a, 2011, 2014a,b, 2016, 2019d) , feasibility of adopting alternative technologies (IAEA, 2012a, 2014a, 2019b,c; van Marcke, 2019)
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From page 24... ...
and the International Source Suppliers and Producers Association raise awareness about the radiological security risks, the changing regulatory environments, and the full lifetime costs of using radioactive sources. The IIA has published white papers comparing different irradiation modalities (IIA, 2017)
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