Actions After Finding an Orphan Radioactive Source 2 - Transport

Introduction By the end of this module students will be able to: Outline the actions to be taken once an orphan source is found including: Controlling access for radiological safety Identifying and characterizing the source Packaging and transporting the source Conditioning the source for storage or disposition Storing the source safely and securely

Overview Initial actions Orphan source identification and characterization Packaging and transport Conditioning Safe and secure storage

Next Actions Once the initial actions have been completed, the device/source will usually need to be: Packaged for transport Transported to a safe and secure location Perhaps conditioned Stored in a safe and secure manner until a final decision regarding its disposition can be made

Packaging and Transport Sources should be packaged and transported in accordance with the applicable regulations Most countries follow the IAEA transport regulations in SSR-6 (superseding TS-R-1) Transport regulations are complex - get expert help if possible If not, use the Schedules in SSG-33 (superseding TS-G-1.6)

Schedules Schedules for UN numbers are in SSG-33 Summarize regulatory requirements applicable to specific types of shipments To avoid repetition, common regulatory provisions are separated out For most orphan source shipments: UN2915 (Type A, non-special form), UN2916 (Type B(U), non-fissile) and UN2917 (Type B(M), non-fissile)

Packaging and Transport Public health and safety are the priority, so if they are at immediate risk and it is not possible to fully comply with the regulations, use good radiation safety practice to move the source to a safe and secure location See Georgia RTG source recovery video for example

Packaging and Transport Rather than attempt to teach the IAEA transport regulations, this module will show how to find the right Schedule and use it, making some reasonable assumptions Assumptions include: No air transport No fissile material Significant quantities of radioactivity Sealed sources, no dispersed radioactivity Only this source(s) on vehicle

Form The radioactivity, radionuclide and form largely determine the transport requirements The first two should be known by now For a source to be regarded as “special form” requires a valid certificate Most orphan sources are unlikely to have one, hence it is assumed that they will be “other than special form”

A2 Value For the radionuclide of the source look up the A2 value in Table 2 of SSR-6 If the orphan source radioactivity is less than this value, it will be a Type A shipment with a UN identification number of 2915 and this schedule in SSG-33 will be used If it is greater, it will be a Type B shipment and will use the schedule for either: UN2916, or UN2917 depending on package

Some A2 Values A2 Value Nuclide TBq Ci Pu-238 1 x 10-3 2.7 x 10-2 Am-241 Cf-252 3 x 10-3 8.1 x 10-2 Co-60 4 x 10-1 10.8 Sr-90 3 x 10-1 8.1 Cs-137 6 x 10-1 16.2 Ir-192 Ra-226 Cm-244 2 x 10-3 5.4 x 10-2

Packaging/Transport Overview Select a proper packaging Package the source as specified Measure dose rates on the package Label and mark the package accordingly Ensure contamination is within limits Load the package on vehicle and placard it Ensure dose rates on vehicle are within limits Complete transport documents

Type A (Activity ≤ A2) Proper shipping name: Use schedule for UN2915 UN2915 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL TYPE A PACKAGE non-special form non-fissile or fissile-excepted Use schedule for UN2915 Needs a Type A package Type A packages have been designed for normal conditions of transport Source packaged to package design specs

Type A Packaging Examples

Type B (Activity > A2) Needs an available Type B package Can be Type B(U) or Type B(M) If Type B(U), proper shipping name: UN2916 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(U) PACKAGE, non-fissile or fissile-excepted Use schedule for UN2916 If Type B(M), proper shipping name: UN2917 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(M) PACKAGE, non-fissile or fissile-excepted

Type B (Activity > A2) Type B packages have been designed for accident conditions of transport Source must be packaged according to specifications in the package approval certificate

Examples of Type B Packages

Labelling on Package Measure dose rates on the surface and at 1 metre from the surface of the package Transport index is a number = 1 metre value in mSv/h times 100 Dose rates determine the label needed Need two labels, on opposite sides Labels need to be filled in with: Radioisotope, activity and transport index

Maximum radiation level on external surface Labels Category Maximum radiation level on external surface Transport Index I-White < 0.005 mSv/h 0 (< 0.05) II-YELLOW > 0.005 mSv/h < 0.5 mSv/h > 0 < 1 III-YELLOW >0.5 mSv/h < 2 mSv/h > 1 < 10 (transported as exclusive use) > 2mSv/h < 10 mSv/h >10

Marking on Package Consignor or consignee, or both Permissible gross mass if > 50kg Proper shipping name Type A, Type B(U) or Type B(M) as approp. Other identification marks in accordance with applicable schedule (UN2915, UN 2916 or UN2917)

Contamination Limits Measure non-fixed contamination (removable) on the package by swipe and contamination detector probe Ensure it is less than: 4 Bq/cm2 for beta/gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters (§508 SSR-6 former 227 TS-R-1) 0.4 Bq/cm2 for all other alpha emitters Averaged over 300 cm2

Loading and Placarding Most found source shipments will be exclusive use shipments (with a single consignor and all loading/unloading carried out under the direction of the consignor) Load and secure the package in or on the vehicle Measure dose rates and ensure that they are within the limits Placard the vehicle on the sides and rear

Maximum Radiation Levels for Exclusive Use 2 mSv/h on any surface of the package, or if enclosed and secured, 10 mSv/h 2 mSv/h on any outer surface of the vehicle, or for an open vehicle: 2 mSv/h on any point on the vertical planes projected from the outer edges of the vehicle 0.1 mSv/h at any point 2 m from the vertical planes represented by the outer lateral surfaces of the vehicle (or outer edge planes for an open vehicle)

Exclusive Use – Closed Vehicle

Transport Documents - Consignment Name and address of consignor and consignee Proper shipping name, Class 7, UN Number Name of radionuclide(s) Physical and chemical form Maximum activity (Bq) Category of label (I-WHITE, II-YELLOW, or III-YELLOW) Transport index Any identification marks for package approval EXCLUSIVE USE SHIPMENT Consignor’s declaration, signed and dated

Transport Documents - Carrier Actions to be taken by the carrier Supplementary requirements for loading, stowage, carriage, handling and unloading Restrictions on mode of transport, routing Emergency arrangements

Example of Transport Document

Loading Teletherapy Head for Transport

Teletherapy Head Ready for Transport

Transport Security Considerations Sources are potentially vulnerable in transport, between the location where the source is found and storage Security guidance incorporates the concept of defence in depth and uses a graded approach

Transport Security Levels Enhanced security for: Category 1 & 2 sources in the Code of Conduct Sources >3000 A2 Basic security for all other found orphan sources IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 9 has the details

Basic Security Considerations General security provisions Basic security awareness training Personnel identity verification Security verification of conveyances Written instructions Exchange of security related information Trustworthiness determination

Enhanced Security Considerations Basic security level plus: Identification of carriers and consignors Security plans Tracking devices Communications from the conveyance Additional provisions for road, rail and inland waterway

Summary Radiological safety is the first priority on finding an orphan source Then comes identification and characterization of the source Followed by packaging and transporting it to a better location safely and securely Sometimes the source might need conditioning Finally, it needs to be stored safely and securely