Year
2005
Abstract
The September 11th terrorist attacks on USA showed the threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism is feasible. A successful attack, or sabotage on a radioactive facility or the use of radioactive material as a dirty bomb, could cause radiological release into the environment with biological and psychological health effects. In Argentina, radioactive sources are widely used in medical and industrial applications. There are more than 1,600 facilities controlled by Argentine Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN), using radioactive materials. These facilities are of different types such as Industrial Irradiation Facilities, Radioactive Sources Production Plants, Teletherapy Centers, etc. and their radioactive inventories vary within a wide range. Also, the geographical distribution covers the whole country. During more than fifty years, Argentina has developed a comprehensive regulatory system designed to ensure the safety and security of radioactive sources. This system integrates laws, regulations, an independent regulatory authority, adequate resources and interagency support. However, frontiers or any other type of limits does not stop the terrorism. Argentina is now revising the Standards and Laws in force on this subject for the different uses of radioactive material in view of international recommendations (Dijon, Buenos Aires, Vienna, London and Bordeaux Conference Findings, Code of Conduct, etc.). Argentina has implemented most of the recommendations and some improvements are being made, in a first step, at installations of Class I (according to the classification of IAEA TECDOC-1344). These measures are widely different; among others, improvements in security systems and strengthening training on this issue. In relation to the prevention of illicit trafficking, by own initiative, Argentina has been working with the Member States of the MERCOSUR (1) to adopt a common strategy for the region. Based on its regulatory experience and taking the latest international recommendations into account, the present paper describes the ways in which Argentina, is implementing measures to strengthen security of radioactive materials based on their potentiality to cause harm to human health.