COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO SECURE RADIOACTIVE SOURCE DEVICES

Radioactive materials are widely used for industrial, research, and medical purposes. Devices containing radioactive sources include blood irradiators, oil well logging packages, teletherapy machines, and research irradiators. These devices contribute to the nation’s health, safety, and economic strength; however, the malevolent use of these same radioactive materials in a radiological dispersal device (RDD) could produce substantial negative health, social, and economic consequences. Increasing concern over the malicious use of radioactive materials has led U.S. government agencies to implement programs and regulations to increase the security of radioactive materials while minimally impacting their beneficial uses. Such activities include the issuance of supplemental radioactive source security guidance and regulations by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), efforts to promote the development of non-radioactive alternative technologies to replace the use of radioactive materials, alternate forms of radioactive materials that are less dispersible or hazardous, and implementing physical security measures at facilities containing radiological devices. The focus of this paper is on new steps to enhance the security of radioactive sources through the application of physical security measures incorporated directly into selfshielded irradiators, a class of devices containing high-activity radioactive sources. The measures are designed to be easily adapted into existing device product lines by their original equipment manufactures (OEM) and to be suited for retrofitting devices already in use. The new security features provide a number of advantages. They will not interfere with the critical performance of the device; specific security details and designs would be known only by a limited number of designers and installers; and, the installation and maintenance costs would be minimal. This will be accomplished through a collaborative program involving the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Global Threat Reduction (GTRI), the Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, the NRC, and device manufacturers.