Permanently Reducing Risk through Radioisotope-free Technologies

Radioactive materials play a critical role in medical, industrial, and commercial applications. However, there are individuals who seek these materials for use in a “dirty bomb”. The National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Radiological Security (ORS) works to enhance global security by preventing the use of high activity radioactive materials in acts of terrorism. ORS accomplishes this mission through three strategies: Protect, Reduce, and Remove. ORS’s Reduce program, the newest of the three, aims to achieve permanent risk reduction by reducing the reliance on radioisotope-based technologies. In some cases, it is possible to use a non-radioisotope-based device while maintaining or improving technical capability. ORS promotes the adoption of such devices through policy development; education and outreach on the status of new technologies; research, development, testing, and evaluation of source-free technologies; and direct replacement programs like the cesium-137 Irradiator Replacement Project (CIRP). Through CIRP, ORS provides a financial incentive to users who choose to replace their Cs-137 irradiators with source-free alternatives. ORS also funds the recovery of the cesium-137 irradiator through the Offsite Source Recovery Project.