Overview And Status Of The DOE-NNSA Office Of Radiological Security Reduce Program

INMM 2021 Draft AbstractOverview and Status of the DOE-NNSA Office of Radiological Security Reduce ProgramTechnologies and Methods: (NEW TOPIC) Alternative Technologies for Radioactive SourcesSarah Norris1, Shea Cotton1, Lance Garrison1, Matthew Keskula2, Aaron Galvan31. Office of Radiological Security, National Nuclear Security Administration, United States Department of Energy2. Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL3. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WAThe National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Radiological Security (ORS) works to enhanceglobal security by preventing the use of high activity radioactive materials in acts of terrorism. ORSaccomplishes this mission through three strategies: Protect, Reduce, and Remove. The ORS Reducemission utilizes a holistic approach to achieving permanent risk reduction through the implementationof non-radioisotopic alternative technologies for both U.S. and international partners. ORS promotesthis approach through policy development, education, and outreach on the status of cutting-edgetechnologies; research, development, testing and evaluation of non-radioisotopic technologies; anddirect replacement programs where possible through the Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project andinternational partnerships.This paper will describe the current landscape for common alternative technologies to radioisotopicsources, including linear accelerators for oncology, X-ray blood and research irradiators, X-ray andelectron beam irradiators for food and medical device sterilization, and alternatives to radioisotopic welllogging and radiography devices. This paper will further outline ORS’s efforts in promoting alternativetechnologies through the four strategies noted above, through international and regional subject matterexpertise, end-of-life planning and interim storage of disused sources, the development of local andinternational partnerships, targeted monetary assistance and cost sharing arrangements, guidance forIAEA support, managing regulatory requirements, and development of sustainable implementationplans. Finally, the paper will address gaps and future areas of potential growth in the alternativetechnology space.