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Radiation Source Use and Replacement

Completed

Topics

Congress asked the National Academies to review the civilian uses of radiation sources that contain radionuclides and the potential replacements for sources that pose a high risk to public health or safety in the event of an accident or attack. The Academies committee made findings and recommendations on options for implementing the identified replacements taking into account the hazards and risks and the feasibility of replacements. While the study did not include a detailed cost-benefit analysis, it did examine potential government provided incentives for facilitating the introduction of replacements into the market place.

About Past Events

Description

The principal task of this study is to review the current industrial, research, and commercial (including medical) uses of radiation sources to identify uses for which:(1) the radiation source can be replaced with an equivalent (or improved) process that does not require the use of radioisotopes; or(2) the radiation source can be replaced with another radiation source that poses a lower risk to public health and safety if it is involved in an accident or used in a terrorist attack. The study should explicitly consider technical and economic feasibility and risks to workers from such replacements.The National Academies will issue a public report at the conclusion of the study. The report will contain a review of radiation source use, potential replacements for sources that pose a high risk to public health or safety, and findings and recommendations on options for implementing the identified replacements.The project is sponsored by the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.A report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 15 months.The project start date for the project was January 13, 2006.Note: The project duration has been extended and the report is expected to be issued in February of 2008.

Contributors

Committee

Chair

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Committee Membership Roster Comments

Note(06/29/2006): There has been a change in committee membership with the appointments of Robin Gardner and Richard Liu.
Note (7/3/2006): There has been a change in committee membership with the appointment of Everett Bloom.

Sponsors

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Staff

Micah Lowenthal

Lead

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