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“Orphan” Radioactive Sources in Scrap Metal
RadTown USA Topics
This page provides an overview of how radioactive sources end up lost or abandoned and the technology we are using to locate these sources.
On this page:
Overview
Sometimes radiation sources are disposed of improperly and end up in scrap metal yards. With the help of advanced technology, we are finding ways to locate misplaced radiation sources before they get into scrap metal yards and enter the nation's metal supply consumer products.
Some sources of radioactive materials lack adequate control, sufficient accountability, and proper disposal processes. Found or abandoned sources are described as “orphan” when their identifying marks have been removed or damaged. The government has become more concerned with this issue as increased radiation monitoring has uncovered a growing number of these “orphan” sources.
Some industrial devices contain a small quantity of safely enclosed radioactive material called a “sealed “source. On the other hand, if this equipment is disposed of improperly or sent for recycling as scrap metal, the sealed source accidentally may be placed in the possession of someone who is not licensed to handle it. For instance, if a steel mill melts a sealed source containing radioactive material, it contaminates the metal, the processing equipment, and the facility. More importantly, the mill workers will be exposed to the radiation.
Officials at scrap metal yards and disposal sites use sensitive radiation scanners on incoming shipments to uncover unwanted radioactive materials before these materials can cause widespread contamination. Unfortunately, the protective housings around radioactive sources, in addition to making the sources safe, make detection difficult.
Who is protecting you
The States
Each State in the United States has one or more programs to address radiation protection and to respond to and investigate alarms at scrap metal facilities.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA operates a monitoring program that ensures imported scrap metal coming into the U.S. does not contain radioactive material. EPA also operates programs in conjunction with state governments to ensure radioactive material does not get into scrap metal being recycled.
EPA develops training programs for the metal processing and demolition industries.
EPA is working with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop an international protocol for the radiation monitoring of scrap metal.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Agreement States
The primary mission of NRC is to protect public health and safety and the environment from the effects of radiation from licensed nuclear reactors, sealed sources containing radioactive material, and waste facilities. Thirty-three states have signed formal agreements with NRC, providing the states regulatory responsibility over small quantities of special nuclear material and its source and byproducts.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE operates the National Recycle Program to control radioactive scrap metal from decommissioned nuclear facilities.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT protects people, property and the environment by regulating transport of hazardous materials including radioactive contaminated scrap metal by highway, rail, air, and vessel. These Hazardous Materials Regulations are contained in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
What you can do to protect yourself
Personally coming into contact with something believed to be an orphan source or contaminated scrap metal is highly unlikely; however, if you think you have found an orphan source immediately contact your state radiation authority, and avoid touching the item.
Three basic ways to limit unnecessary exposure include:
- Time: Limit the time spent around the radiation source.
- Distance: Increase the distance between you and the radiation source.
- Shielding: Increase the shielding from a radiation source with protective barriers such as walls and buildings. Alpha radiation can be effectively shielded with something as thin as a piece of paper or a plastic bag, while gamma radiation requires barriers as thick as lead-lined walls.
Resources
| Radioactive Sealed Source Reduction and Management Program
17 October 2007- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency This site lists a variety of on-going activities to assist organizations in retrieving and disposing of unwanted or orphaned radioactive sources and reducing their use in industry. |
| Radiation: Risks and Realities (PDF) (22p, 1.12Mb ) [EPA 402-K-07-006] May 2007 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency This brochure provides general information of the risks and realities associated with ionizing radiation. |
| Directory
of Agreement State and Non-Agreement State Directors and
State Liaison Officers 7 February 2006 - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission This site provides a list of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement State contacts. |
| Directory
of Agreement State and Non-Agreement State Directors and
State Liaison Officers 7 February 2006 - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission This site provides a list of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement State contacts. |
| Recycling in the Environmental
Management (EM) Program 30 June 2000 - U.S. Department of Energy This site provides information on DOE’s Recycle 2000 policy for radioactive materials. |
| Reports of theft or loss of licensed material 21 May 1991 - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission This site explains the requirements for reporting the theft or loss of NRC licensed sources. Unreported sources fall out of NRC’s regulatory control structure and become “orphaned” sources. |
| Control of Solid Materials 15 July 2002 - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission This document outlines the alternatives for control of solid materials to address public concerns. |