Ionizing radiation security

NCRP Commentary No. 16, Screening of Humans for Security Purposes Using Ionizing Radiation Scanning Systems, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, December 15, 2003. 

The Medicines Commission also includes four civil servants (pharmacists) with an advisory capacity the inspector general of pharmacies the director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology a pharmacist designated by the minister responsible for social security and the inspector general of the Radiation Protection Division (for radiopharmaceuticals and medicincil products treated with ionizing radiation). These civil servants can also be represented by their deputies. 

Low-level radioactive waste gives off small amounts of ionizing radiation, is usually generated in small quantities, and need only be safely stored for relatively short periods of time due to the half-lives of the radioisotopes involved. Low-level nuclear waste includes such things as contaminated laboratory clothing, cleaning equipment and supplies, medical waste that is radioactive, and discarded radioactive devices such as smoke detectors. It is only necessary to safely store this waste for periods of 100-500 years. Prior to about 1979, most waste of this type was sealed in steel drums and dumped into the ocean. Current procedures require that such waste be stored in steel drums and buried in secure sites under several feet of soil (Figure 13.14). 

Bozek, F. Langerova, A. 2008. Hygienic Limits versus Long-Term Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation. In Conference Proceedings on Security and Safety Management and Public Administration. Prague Police Academy ofthe Czech Republic, p. 44—53. 

Not surprisingly, there are special rules about securing and handling radioisotopes, the disposal of radioactive wastes, and how to respond to a spill of radioactive materials. Everyone working with these substances must be trained in their use and be completely familiar with appropriate protocols. Devices and instruments that generate ionizing radiation must be used only by trained operators. Safeguarding devices should never be overridden. 

Schramm, E., Miihlberger, F., Mitschke, S. et al. (2008) Determination of the ionization potentials of security-relevant substances with single photon ionization mass spectrometry using synchrotron radiation. Applied Spectrosc. 62, 238. 

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