1. Actions After Finding an Orphan Radioactive Source
2 - Transport

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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)

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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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”

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Type A Packaging Examples

15. 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

16. 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

17. Examples of Type B Packages

18. 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

19. Maximum radiation level on external surface
Labels
Category
Maximum radiation level on external surface
Transport Index
I-White
< mSv/h
0 (< 0.05)
II-YELLOW
> 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

20. 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)

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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)

24. Exclusive Use – Closed Vehicle

25. 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

26. 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

27. Example of Transport Document

28. Loading Teletherapy Head for Transport

29. Teletherapy Head Ready for Transport

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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