Publications
Radiation Source Reduction & Management
- Main Page
- About Source Reduction & Management
- Life-Cycle Analysis & Product Stewardship
- Sealed Radioactive Sources
- Common Industrial Uses
- Commonly-Used Radionuclides
- Alternative Technologies
- Alternatives: Development & Acceptance
- Alternative Technology Projects
- Stakeholders and Partners
and Response Orphan Source Recovery Additional Information
These reports and publications provide both background information and the results of projects to develop non-nuclear alternative technologies, track existing sources through commerce, and recover orphan sources.
On this page:
- Life-Cycle Assessment
- Source Reduction
- Source Tracking
- Orphan Source Detection and Response
- Orphan Source Recovery
- Archival Documents
Life-Cycle Assessment
The Material Flow for Radioactive Cesium-137 in the United States in 2000 (PDF) (61pp, 789Kb [about pdf format])- Oct.8, 2004
materials cycle for Cs-137 and recommendations for improved controls
Source Reduction
Initial Research
Radiation Source Alternative Initiative (PDF) (6pp, 277Kb [about pdf format]) September 30, 2001
report on sealed radiation sources that summarizes health risks and identifies possible alternative technologies
Radioactive Materials Product Stewardship (PDF) (96pp, 1.06Mb [about pdf format]) June 11, 2003
technical evaluation of relevant issues associated with nuclear fixed gauges and tritium exit signs
Industrial Applications of Sealed Radiation Sources and Alternative Non Nuclear Technologies (39pp, 427Kb [about pdf format]) September 30, 2002
deals with the applications of sealed radioactive materials in industry.
Portable Gauges
Evaluation of Soil Compaction Measuring Devices (PDF) (132pp, 3.5Mb [about pdf format]) March 2005
results of study of soil compaction measuring devices available in the market
Modification of the Clegg Hammer as and Alternative to Nuclear Density Gauge to Determine Soil Compaction (PDF) (36pp, 1.4Mb [about pdf format]) February, 2006
final report on enhancement and modification of the Clegg-Hammer device to gain acceptance as an alternative to the Nuclear Density Gauge in soil compaction control.
EPA Transition to Portable Gauges, Fixed Gauges, and Other Devices
Fixed Gauges
Feasibility Study for Introduction of Alternatives to Fixed Industrial Gauging Devices Utilizing Radioisotopes (PDF) (45pp, 249Kb [about pdf format]) September, 2003
examines the potential for adoption of sensors that use alternative technologies
Feasibility of a Pilot Project, Gauging Devices Final Report (PDF) (23pp, 232Kb [about pdf format]) - June 30, 2006
potential pilot project partners and technical goals and requirements for a pilot project that will facilitate the research and development, validation, and adaptation of alternative gauging devices
Radiography Cameras
Demonstration of Pulsed X-ray Machine Radiography as an Alternative to Industry Radiography Cameras (PDF) (38pp, 2.7Mb [about pdf format]) - November 2006
report on demonstration of pulsed, battery operated, portable x-ray source with a peak x-ray energy of 270 kV is an alternative radiography technology for inspection of pipe welds
Comparison of Imaging Capabilities Between Ultrasonics and Radiography (PDF) (37pp, 2.165Mb [about pdf format]) -
May 2004 Southwest Research Institute Draft Final Report
report on investigation of ultrasonic imaging systems versus radiography
Source Tracking
Tracking Radioactive Sources in Commerce (PDF) (10pp, 886SKb [about pdf format]) March, 2005
This report describes EPA and DOE's investigation of technologies to improve tracking and monitoring of high-level radiological sources while in commerce.
-Companion Poster (PDF)
RadSTraM: Radiological Source Tracking and Monitoring, Phase I Interim Final Report (PDF) (61pp, 1.1Mb [about pdf format]) June, 2005
This report focuses on the technical information gained from the Radiological Source Tracking and
Monitoring (RadSTraM) investigation and its implications.
RadSTraM: Radiological Source Tracking
and Monitoring, Phase II
Final Report (PDF) (40pp, 2.1Mb [about pdf format]) January, 2007
This report focuses on the technical information gained from the Radiological Source
Tracking and Monitoring (RadSTraM) Phase II investigation and its implications.
Radio Frequency Tracking of Hazardous Waste Across International Borders (PDF) (2pp, 116Kb [about pdf format]) October, 2005
this fact sheet describes a verification study on combining RFID technology with hazardous waste electronic manifest capability
-Companion Poster (PDF) (1p, 2.75Mb)
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Stakeholder Meeting Discussion Points, August 23, 2005 (PDF) (3pp, 93 Kb [about pdf format])
discussion points from stakeholder meeting on potential issues related to RFID tracking of radioactive materials
Orphan Source Detection and Response
Identifying Radioactive Sources at the Demolition Site (PDF) (4pp, 108Kb [about pdf format]) March, 2005
This paper discusses the issue of unidentified radioactive sources at demolition sites and describes the training CD EPA has developed for contractors.
-Companion Poster (PDF) (1pp, 1.1 Mb [about pdf format])
Response to Radiation Alarms
at Metal Processing Facilities (PDF) (1pp, 476.5 Kb, [about pdf format])
This poster provides an overview of EPA’s Interactive Training for
International Approach to Monitoring for Radioactively Contaminated Scrap Metal (PDF) (5pp, 102Kb [about pdf format]) March, 2005
This paper is a report on the activities of the UNECE and EPA on identifying and solving issues related to radioactive contamination of international scrap shipments.
-Companion Poster (PDF) (1pp, 1.1 Mb [about pdf format])
Orphan Source Recovery
NNSA Recovers More than 15,000 Radioactive Sources
From Around the United States(PDF) (1pp, 67Kb [about pdf format]) press release, May, 2007
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear
Security Administration (NNSA) has
recovered and secured more than 15,000 orphan sources in the United States
Proceedings: Monitoring and Response Procedures for Radioactive Scrap Metal (PDF) (130pp, 2.38Mb [about pdf format]) June, 2006
Appendix A presents the analysis of the survey of scrap metal industry.
Recommendations on Monitoring and Response Procedures for Radioactive Scrap Metal (PDF) (52pp, 2.1Mb [about pdf format]) 2006
contains recommendations on management of detected sources.
Archival Documents
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Technical Support Document Potential Recycling of Scrap Metal from Nuclear Facilities (PDF) (file sizes range from 97-872Kb [about pdf format]) September, 2001
Radiation Protection Standards for Scrap Metal: Preliminary Cost-Benefit Analysis, June, 1997
- Executive Summary and Table of Contents (PDF) (15pp, 48 Kb [about pdf format])
- Entire CBA in one file (656 Kb, zipped WordPerfect 6.1 [about pdf format])
- The New Orphan Radioactive Sources Program in the United States (PDF) (4pp, 13 kB [about pdf format])