6. Radioactive Sources and IAEA Course Catalog

Transcription

1 6. Radioactive Sources and IAEA Course Catalog

2 IAEA Guidance #5: Identification of Radioactive Sources and Devices Aids non-specialist individuals and organizations in initial identification of radioactive sources, devices and packages Provides instruction on what to do and how to obtain further help 2

3 Radioactive sources some definitions A radioactive source means: radioactive material that is permanently sealed in a capsule or closely bonded, in a solid form includes any radioactive material released if the radioactive source is leaking or broken does not include material encapsulated for disposal, or nuclear material within the nuclear fuel cycles of research and power reactors. Special form radioactive material means either an indispersable solid radioactive material or a sealed capsule containing radioactive material 3

4 Radioactive sources some definitions Management means the administrative and operational activities that are involved in the life cycle of a radioactive source Source life cycle means the manufacture, supply, receipt, possession, storage, use, transfer, import, export, transport, maintenance, recycling or disposal of a radioactive source. Distinction between radioactive sources, devices and practices 4

5 Practices using sealed radioactive sources LDR Brachytherapy HDR Teletherapy Moisture Detectors Industrial Radiography Well Logging Industrial Gauges Irradiators Consumer Products Calibration Sources 1 kbq 1 MBq 1 GBq 1 TBq 1 PBq 5

6 Examples of practices using radioactive sources - 1 typical radionuclides and radioactivity in TBq Irradiators Used to sterilize food, cosmetics, medical products and supplies, and for other specialized applications such as research applications or for blood irradiation. cobalt-60 caesium to 560, to 190,000 Teletherapy Used for cancer therapy and are commonly found in medical institutions, such as hospitals or clinics. cobalt-60 caesium to to 56 Fixed multibeam teletherapy Used to focus gamma radiation from an array of over 200 sources on brain lesions (gamma knife). These are commonly found in hospitals or clinics. cobalt to 370 6

7 γ-sterilization Facilities Using 60 Co or 137 Cs 7

8 Large scale irradiators 8

9 Irradiators 9

10 Co-60 Teletherapy Cobalt-60 teletherapy machine 10

11 Gamma Sources for Teletherapy From: Catalogue of Radioactive Products, The Radiochemical Centre, Amersham, April

12 Disused radiotherapy source head in safe and secure storage 12

13 Examples of practices using radioactive sources - 2 typical radionuclides and radioactivity in TBq Industrial radiography Used to test the integrity of various materials, as well as for testing welds in pipes and tanks in the petrochemical industry. Cobalt-60 Iridium-192 Selenium-75 Ytterbium-169 Thulium to to to to 7.4 High/medium dose rate brachytherapy Used for cancer therapy and are commonly found in medical institutions, such as hospitals or clinics. Cobalt-60 Caesium-137 Iridium to to to

14 Industrial radiography in a workshop or in a field environment Industrial radiography of pipes using Iridium

15 Storage of industrial radiography sources and devices 15

16 Storage of industrial radiography devices 16

17 Gamma radiography sources From: Catalogue of Radioactive Products, The Radiochemical Centre, Amersham, April

18 Cs-137 Brachytherapy 18

19 Examples of practices using radioactive sources - 3 typical radionuclides and radioactivity in TBq Fixed industrial gauges Used for process control; for measurement of flow, volume, density, or material presence; and may be placed in locations unsuitable for continuous human presence cobalt-60 caesium-137 californium to to Well logging gauges Used in areas where exploration for minerals is occurring, such as coal, oil, natural gas americium- 241/beryllium caesium to to californium to

20 Industrial Gauges 20

21 Disused industrial gauges in storage 21

22 Storage of well-logging devices and their transport containers 22

23 23

24 Objectives of the IAEA Catalogue Two major objectives To provide essential information on industrially manufactured radioactive sources and devices for a wide range of individuals and organizations. To facilitate source identification based on limited information on orphan sources and devices to allow safe handling of these items. 24

25 MSOffice1 Source details 25

26 Slide 25 MSOffice1 Database contains data on source models (i.e. radionuclides, activity, category, sahpe, size, manufacturing details, uses, manufacturer/distributor, etc.). Presently the Catalogue contains about 6,800 source models.,

27 MSOffice2 Device details 26

28 Slide 26 MSOffice2 This datatase contains data on device models including transport containers (i.e. description, applications, manufacturer/distributor and identification of authorized sealed sources inside the device). Presently, the Catalogue contains about 8,000 device models.,

29 MSOffice3 Manufacturer / Distributor details 27

30 Slide 27 MSOffice3 The database contains addresses of manufacturers and distributors of SRS and devices housing such sources. Presently, the Catalogue contains information on about 1,200 manufacturers/distributors.,

31 ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IF AN UNCONTROLLED SEALED SOURCE, DEVICE OR TRANSPORT PACKAGE IS FOUND Do not touch the object Evacuate the immediate area and prevent access (secure the area) Maximize the distance that people are from the object Notify civil authorities (regulatory body) and emergency services (rescue services, police) 28

32 Summary Radioactive sources are used in a wide variety of industrial, medical, agricultural and research practices. The characteristics that must be known include radioisotope, radioactivity levels, encapsulation, chemical and physical characteristics, device operation and design, manufacturer and supplier details. The user or owner is responsible for the safe management and secure protection of the source. Secure area and report uncontrolled sources, devices or transport packages 29

33 Session 1.2 Exercise Identify and describe: 1. What practices occur in your country that use sealed radioactive sources? 2. Which Government departments, agencies or laboratories have responsibility for any part of the life cycle management of sealed radioactive sources in your country? 3. What companies (private, national or multinational) are involved in the management of sealed radioactive sources in your country? 30

34 Thank you! 31