University Of California Project To Reduce The Risk Of High Activity Sources Through The Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project (CIRP)

The Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project (CIRP) project was established by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Radiological Security (ORS) in 2014. Under this program, ORS seeks to reduce the risk of high activity radiological sources by encouraging sites to transition from using Cobalt-60 (Co-60) and Cesium-137 (Cs-137) irradiators with non-radioisotopic technologies, and in particular, x-ray and electron beam irradiators. In late 2016, the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and the State of California became aware of CIRP and held a series of meetings with researchers and clinicians. A Working Group was formed to study the possibility of replacing cesium and cobalt-based irradiators with x-ray irradiators. After meeting and researching the options, UCOP and the State of California determined that participating in the CIRP Project would indeed be advantageous for the UC system as it would decrease the level of potential risks and increase the options for researchers. Through support from the CIRP project, UC has purchased 26 x-Ray Irradiators or Linacs to replace the Cs-137 and Co-60 irradiators slated for removal. To date, UC has had 21 Cs-137 and Co-60 irradiators removed from around the UC system under the auspices of the Offsite Source Recovery Program (OSRP); this equates to almost half of all the irradiators on the tenUC campuses. Another 19 removals are pending. Device recoveries have slowed over that last two years because of an event at the University of Washington Harborview Medical Center, which resulted in a pause in recoveries as well as COVID travel restrictions that have impacted the ability for contractors to be on site. Device recoveries are beginning to slowly resume, and UC anticipates the remainder of its devices will be recovered over the next few years.