Sealed radioactive sources (SRSs) are used to facilitate industrial processes, deliver life-saving medicines and strengthen civil infrastructure. However, the safe and secure use and management of SRSs is a complex endeavour and relies on the implementation of a legislative framework and national regulations, as well as on the availability of suitable technologies, licenced facilities and well-trained staff. To protect the public from the hazards of ionizing radiation and to prevent disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRSs ) falling out of regulatory control, the IAEA promotes 'cradle-to-grave' management of SRSs as an essential component of a strong regulatory infrastructure.
The IAEA launched an initial interregional project1 in 2012 that delivered hands-on training exercises to help national participants learn how best to handle, characterize, condition and store disused radioactive sources. Under two follow up projects2, support has now expanded to 45 countries, with expert missions, coordination meetings and training courses to build national capacities in source management and support the use of appropriate technologies for different DSRSs management solutions, including recycling, re-use, and disposal. In 2023, project activities focused on bringing participating countries up to date with the latest developments in borehole disposal. Many counterparts were given an opportunity to view the ongoing project in Malaysia in September.
"In the Member States, the projects have brought together both nuclear regulators and operators, and their success has attracted significant donor funding, including contributions from the European Union, Spain, Norway and United States," said Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director of the IAEA TC Division for Africa.
In November 2023, 48 Member State counterparts-primarily experts and specialists from regulatory authorities, national nuclear institutions and relevant ministries-from 36 countries across the world met at the IAEA's Vienna headquarters to review the progress and impact achieved through these three consecutive interregional technical cooperation (TC) projects, and to plan for the follow-up of activities to sustain cradle-to-grave management of SRSs, in particular disused sealed radioactive sources.
During the November meeting, participants planned for the implementation of a follow-up project and took stock of progress achieved against three primary indicators: compliance with international safety requirements and security recommendations; strengthened SRS safety through technological solutions; and increased capacity for the cradle-to-grave management of sources.
The results of the Phase II project were also presented at the November meeting. 55% of the polled, participating countries were able to draft and approve national strategies for nuclear safety and security of DSRSs. A further 76 per cent of countries reported the successful implementation of nuclear safety and security measures during transport of radioactive sources, while 74 per cent had developed or approved safety cases for nuclear waste storage. The approval and implementation of long-term strategies for DSRSs disposal, however, still presents an obstacle to full-scale engagement with nuclear science by participating Member States-only 18 per cent of the polled countries have an approved strategy. The drafting of such documents, as well as the development of safety cases and assessments, will be one of the outputs of the proposed Phase III project.
On the final day of the meeting, representatives from the Permanent Missions of 19 of the participating countries and donors were introduced to the Phase III project, subsequently approved by the IAEA Board of Governors in November 2023.
"The ongoing project has encouraged participating countries to seriously consider disposal options for DSRS, including the borehole disposal technique, and has supported several high-level source removal activities," said Director Abdulrazak. "By bringing together all stakeholders today, ahead of the launch of the follow-up project, we hope to increase Member State ownership of the planned activities we hope to implement next year."
Background
When radioactive sources reach the end of their lifespan, they are classified as disused. The cradle-to-grave management approach ensures that radioactive sources are appropriately managed in accordance with the IAEA Safety Standards and Nuclear Security Guidance across their entire lifecycle-from their 'birth' in research reactors to their ultimate conditioning and disposal.
This holistic approach to the management of radioactive sources is central to nuclear safety and security, and helps countries to overcome the initial regulatory hurdles necessary to fully unlock the potential of nuclear science and technology in health care, agriculture and industry.
Project INT9182 and INT9186 are conducted by the IAEA, with co-funding from the European Commission, Spain, Norway and the United States of America.
1INT9176, 'Strengthening Cradle-to-Grave Control of Radioactive Sources in the Mediterranean Region'
2INT9182, 'Sustaining Cradle-to-Grave Control of Radioactive Sources', INT9186, 'Sustaining Cradle-to-Grave Control of Radioactive Sources - Phase II'
