Development of Approach for Long-Term Management of Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources - 13630
- International Atomic Energy Agency, PO Box 100, 1400 Vienna (Austria)
Radioactive sources are used widely throughout the world in a variety of medical, industrial, research and military applications. When such radioactive sources are no longer used and are not intended to be used for the practice for which an authorization was granted, they are designated as 'disused sources'. Whether appropriate controls are in place during the useful life of a source or not, the end of this useful life is often a turning point after which it is more difficult to ensure the safety and security of the source over time. For various reasons, many disused sources cannot be returned to the manufacturer or the supplier for reuse or recycling. When these attempts fail, disused sources should be declared as radioactive waste and should be managed as such, in compliance with relevant international legal instruments and safety standards. However, disposal remains an unresolved issue in many counties, due to in part to limited public acceptance, insufficient funding, and a lack of practical examples of strategies for determining suitable disposal options. As a result, disused sources are often stored indefinitely at the facilities where they were once used. In order to prevent disused sources from becoming orphan sources, each country must develop and implement a comprehensive waste management strategy that includes disposal of disused sources. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) fosters international cooperation between countries and encourages the development of a harmonized 'cradle to grave' approach to managing sources consistent with international legal instruments, IAEA safety standards, and international good practices. This 'cradle to grave' approach requires the development of a national policy and implementing strategy, an adequate legal and regulatory framework, and adequate resources and infrastructure that cover the entire life cycle, from production and use of radioactive sources to disposal. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, 1628 E. Southern Avenue, Suite 9-332, Tempe, AZ 85282 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 22225170
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US-13-WM-13630; TRN: US14V0758046125
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: WM2013: Waste Management Conference: International collaboration and continuous improvement, Phoenix, AZ (United States), 24-28 Feb 2013; Other Information: Country of input: France; 8 refs.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Workshop introduction
Experience of Consolidation Of Disused Sources In Developing Countries, An African Perspective
Related Subjects
07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
COMPLIANCE
GLOBAL ASPECTS
IAEA
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
LEGAL ASPECTS
LIFE CYCLE
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RECYCLING
SAFETY STANDARDS
SERVICE LIFE