REPORTS ON THE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSITION OF DISUSED SOURCES
GAO Reports on Management and Disposition of Disused Sources
- GAO-03-483 Nuclear Nonproliferation – DOE Action Needed to Ensure Continued Recovery of Unwanted Sealed Radioactive Sources April 2003
- GAO-03-638 Nuclear Nonproliferation – US and International Assistance Efforts to Control Sealed Radioactive Sources Need Strengthening – May 2003
- GAO-03-804 Nuclear Security – Federal and State Action Needed to Improve Security of Sealed Radioactive Sources – August 2003
- GAO-05-967 Nuclear Security – DOE Needs Better Information to Guide its Expanded Recovery of Sealed Radiological Source – September 2005
- GAO-06-545R Border Security – Investigators Successfully Transported Radioactive Sources Across Our Nations Borders at Selected Locations – March 2006
- GAO-07-282 Nuclear Nonproliferation – DOEs International Radiological Threat Reduction Program Need to Focus Future Efforts on Securing the Highest Priority Radiological Sources – January 2
- GAO-07-1038T – Testimony – Nuclear Security – Actions Taken by NRC to Strengthen its Licensing Process for Sealed Rad Sources Are Not Effective – July 12 2007
- GAO-08-598 Nuclear Security – NRC and DHS Need to Take Additional Steps to Better Track and Detect Radioactive Materials – June 2008
- GAO-12-925 Nuclear Nonproliferation – Additional Actions Needed to Improve Security of Radiological Sources at US Medical Facilities – September 2012
- GAO-14-293 Nuclear Nonproliferation – Additional Actions Needed to Increase the Security of US Industrial Radiological Sources – June 2014
- GAO-14-681T Nuclear Nonproliferation – Additional Actions Needed to Increase the Security of US Industrial Radiological Sources – June 2014
- GAO-16-330 Nuclear Security – NRC has Enhanced the Controls of Dangerous Radioactive Materials but Vulnerabilities Remain – July 2016
- GAO-17-58 Radioactive Sources – Opportunities Exist for Federal Agencies to Strengthen Transportation Security – February 2017
- GAO-18-214 Nuclear Security – CBP Needs to Take Action to Ensure Imported Radiological Material is Properly Licensed – January 2018
- GAO-19-468 Combatting Nuclear Terrorism – NRC Needs to Take Additional Actions to Ensure the Security of High-Risk Radioactive Material – April 2019
- GAO-22-103441 – Preventing a Dirty Bomb – Vulnerabilities Persist in NRCs Controls for Purchases of High-Risk Radioactive Materials – July 2022
- GAO-22-104113 Alternatives to Radioactive Materials – A National Strategy to Support Alternative Technologies May Reduce Risks of a Dirty Bomb – October 2021
- GAO-22-105602 – Letter to NRC re Priority Open Recommendations June 2 2022
- GAO-22-105636 Nuclear Waste – DOE Needs to Improve Transparency in Planning for Disposal of Certain Low-Level Waste – September 29 2022
- GAO-24-105998 High-Risk Radioactive Material – Opportunities Exist to Improve the Security of Sources No Longer in Use – Nov 2023
- IAEA GUIDANCE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF DISUSED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES
- WINS SECURITY MANAGEMENT OF DISUSED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES
- LIST OF NATIONS that have:
- made a political commitment with regard to the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources,
- have notified IAEA of their intention to act in accordance with the Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources,
- nominated a Point of Contact for the purpose of facilitating the export and/or import of radioactive sources,
- made available their responses to the Importing and Exporting states Questionnaire, and
- notified IAEA of their commitment to implement the Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources.
- Addressing Sealed Source Concerns Through the License Inspection Process
- Creating an Incentive for the Disposal of Disused Radioactive Sealed Sources – Oregon
- Creating an Incentive for the Disposal of Disused Radioactive Sealed Sources – Texas
- Report of the DSWG: An Evaluation of the US NRC’s 2015 Revision to the Branch Technical Position on Concentration Averaging and Encapsulation for the Disposal of Radioactive Sealed Sources
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Releases Report No. 182 titled, Radiation Safety of Sealed Radioactive Sources
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Releases Guidance for Radiation Protection in the United States
- Transmittal of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Implementation Plan for the 2018 Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force Report – January 31, 2019
- Enclosure 1 of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Implementation Plan for the 2018 Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force Report – October 2018
- Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force Report – October 2018
- Disused Sources Working Group Report: A Study of the Management and Disposition of Sealed Sources from a National Security Perspective – March 2014
- Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force Report – August 2014
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE LICENSEES
DSWG Versions of Educational Materials
- Disposition Options and Cost – Industrial Radiography
- Disposition Options and Cost – Well Logging
- Disposition Ons and Cost – Teletherapy
- Disposition Options and Cost – Bracytherapy
- Disposition Options and Cost – Fixed Industrial Gauges
- Disposition Options and Cost – Irradiators
- Disposition Options and Cost – Portable Gauges
- DSWG Brochure for Current Licensees of Disused Sources and Devices
- DSWG Brochure for Prospective Licensees of Disused Sources and Devices
- Report re Disposition Options and Costs for Certain Radioactive Sealed Sources and Devices
Generic Versions of Educational Materials
The following generic versions of the educational materials for current and prospective licensees are being made available free of charge for use by federal and state agencies, industry associations, brokers and processors, waste disposal operators, source manufacturers and distributors, and other interested stakeholders. The materials may be edited and adjusted to accommodate the specific requirements of each individual user. For the brochures, a fillable field has been included whereby individual user’s can insert their own logo and contact information. For technical assistance, please contact DSWG Communications Consultant Cecilia Snyder at cecysnyder@gmail.com or at (202) 294-8253.
- Generic Letter to Current Licensees of Disused Sources and Devices to Transmit Educational Brochure and Disposal Cost Report
- Generic Version of Brochure for Current Licensees of Disused Sources and Devices
- Generic Letter to Prospective Licensees of Disused Sources and Devices to Transmit Educational Brochure and Disposal Cost Report
- Generic Version of Brochure for Prospective Licensees of Disused Sources and Devices
- Report re Disposition Options and Costs for Certain Radioactive Sealed Sources and Devices
OTHER DSWG REPORTS AND MATERIALS
Potential Source Exchange Program for Reuse and Recycle of Disused Sources
- Updated and Supplemental DSWG Survey on Licensee Participation in a Potential Secure Exchange Program for Disused Sealed Sources dated June 2019
- DSWG Survey on Licensee Participation in a Potential Secure Exchange Program for Disused Sealed Sources – Presented at Spring 2019 DSWG Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia on April 18-19, 2019
Compact Import and Export Requirements
DSWG – CRCPD Survey of State Radiation Control Program Directors
FINANCIAL ASSURANCE
Correspondence to NRC re Financial Assurance
NRC Activities and Outreach re Financial Assurance
- LLW Forum News Flash, “NRC Staff Seeks Commission Approval to Initiate Rulemaking to Require Financial Assurance for Category 1 and 2 Sealed Sources,” dated November 26, 2016
- SECY-16-0115, Rulemaking Plan on Financial Assurance for Disposition of Category 1 and 2 Byproduct Material Radioactive Sealed Sources, dated October 7, 2016
- LLW Forum Forum News Flash, “NRC Releases Results of Byproduct Material Financial Scoping Study: Staff Recommends Expanding Financial Assurance Requirements to Category 1 and 2 Radioactive Sources that are Tracked in the National Source Tracking System“
- SECY-16-0046 titled, Results of Byproduct Material Financial Scoping Study
- Enclosure 1 to SECY-16-0046 titled, Financial Planning for Radioactive Byproduct Material—Scoping Report
Stakeholder Comments re Financial Assurance
The following comments were submitted in response to the August 3, 2015 Federal Register notice from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) seeking stakeholder input and perspective on plans to conduct a financial scoping study to determine if financial planning requirements for decommissioning and end-of-life management for some radioactive byproduct material are necessary:
- Low-Level Radioactive Waste Forum/Disused Sources Working Group (LLW Forum/DSWG)
- Organization of Agreement States (OAS)
- State of Nevada
- State of Washington (Fordham)
- State of Washington (Grumbles)
- State of Wisconsin
- National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- EnergySolutions
- Michael Klebe & Associates, Inc.
- Qal-Tek Associates
Background re NRC’s Proposed Byproduct Material Financial Scoping Study
- LLW Forum News Flash, “NRC Schedules Public Scoping Meeting and Webinar re Financial Planning of Byproduct Material: October 7, 2015 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. EDT”
- Public Meeting Announcement re NRC’s October 7 Public Scoping Meeting and Webinar
- LLW Forum News Flash, “NRC Seeks Input re Byproduct Material Financial Scoping Study: Comments Due by October 19, 2015”
- August 3, 2015 Federal Register Notice re Input for NRC Byproduct Material Financial Scoping Study
- Interagency Working Group Report on Financial Assurance for Disposition of Category 1, 2 and 3 Radioactive Sealed Sources
ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
- LLW Forum News Flash, “National Defense Authorization Act Continues National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Program re Voluntary Phasing Out of Cesium Chloride Blood Irradiation Devices,” August 2018
- Special Report from the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) titled, “Considerations for the Adoption of Alternative Technologies to Replace Radioactive Sources,” dated May 2016
SOURCE SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
National Terrorism Advisory System
- LLW Forum News Flash, “U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Issues Regulatory Issue Summary re National Terrorism Advisory System,” June 2018
Control of Security-Related Unclassified Information
- LLW Forum Newsflash re NRC Regulatory Issue Summary on Control of Security-Related Unclassified Information
- NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2018-01 re Control of Security-Related Unclassified Information
NRC Staff Re-Evaluation of Category 3 Source Security and Accountability
- LW Forum News Flash re NRC Notice About Category 3 Source Protection and Accountability
- Federal Register Notice re Category 3 Source Protection and Accountability
- NRC Staff Requirements Memorandum COMJMB-16-001, “Proposed Staff Re-Evaluation of Category 3 Source Accountability,” October 18, 2016
- NRC Commissioner Baran Memo re Proposed Staff Reevaluation of Category 3 Source Accountability dated July 29, 2016
Stakeholder Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability
The following comments were submitted in response to the January 9, 2017 Federal Register notice from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) seeking stakeholder input and perspectives to inform the agency staff’s assessment of potential revisions to regulations or processes requiring Category 3 source security and accountability.
- Aida Guzman-Crawford Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 4.5.17
- Alabama (ORC) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.3.17
- Alan Jackson Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 4.5.17
- American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.23.17
- American College of Radiology (ACR) Ccomments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- Association of Energy Service Companies (AESC) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- California Energy Commission Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- California (CDPH RHB) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Colorado (CDPHE) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.3.17
- Colorado (CDPHE) Addendum re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.3.17
- Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Disused Sources Working Group (DSWG) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- Disused Sources Working Group (DSWG) Appendix One re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- Don Popielarczyk Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.2.17
- Dow Chemical Company Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Earl Fordham Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 4.6.17
- Elekta Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Florida Health Comments Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Gamaliel Torres Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Greg Schrad Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- Health Physics Society (HPS) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- Illinois (IEMA) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.6.17
- International Isotopes Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.7.17
- International Source Suppliers and Producers Association (ISSPA) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.8.17
- John Hearrne Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 4.5.17
- JL Shepherd and Associates Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- Linda Kroger Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.7.17
- Michael Klebe & Associates Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Michael Albanese Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- National Institutes of Health (DHHS) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- National Nuclear Security Administration (ORS) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- New York (DoH) Comments re Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- North Carolina (DHHS) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.6.17
- North Carolina (RPC) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.8.17
- Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Ohio State University Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.6.17
- Organization of Agreement States Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.17.17
- Pennsylvania (DEP) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman (Source Accountability and Security Working Group) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- QSA Global Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- Rhode Island (DoH) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.23.17
- Source Security Working Group Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Tennessee (DRH) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- Texas (TSDHS and TCEQ) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
- The University of Texas System (EHSAC) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Tracerco (Johnson Matthey) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- University of Texas Medical Branch Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- University of Virginia (RSP) Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.2.17
- Virtua Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Westinghouse Electric Company Comments re Category 3 Source Security and Accountability 3.10.17
- Wisconsin (RMP) Comments re Source Security and Accountability 3.9.17
GAO Audit and Investigation re Security of Sealed Sources
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission webpage re GAO Audit and Investigation (GAO-16-330)
- LLW Forum News Flash, “Government Accountability Office (GAO) Releases Report re Security of Sealed Sources,” July 18, 2016
- GAO-16-330 titled, “Nuclear Security: NRC Has Enhanced the Controls of Dangerous Radioactive Materials, but Vulnerabilities Remain”
- News article by Patrick Malone of the Center for Public Integrity re GAO-16-330
Congressional Correspondence re Source Security
- NRC Chair Stephen Burns’ response to Senator Dianne Feinstein, October 7, 2016
- Senator Charles Schumer letter to NRC Chair Stephen Burns re process for licensing Category 3 sources, October 2, 2016
- Senator Charles Schumer press release titled, “Explosion that Shook NYC Highlights Real Risk of a “Dirty Bomb” in NYC’ Shocking Fed Report Shows how Almost Anyone Can Use Loophole to Purchase Radioactive Material Required to Carry Out Attack in Major City; Senator Urges Nuke Agency to Overhaul Check System Putting NY’ers at Risk,” October 2, 2016
- Senator Dianne Feinstein letter to NRC Chair Stephen Burns re GAO audit and investigation, August 22, 2016
CONCENTRATION AVERAGING AND ENCAPSULATION
DISPOSAL OF GTCC AND TRANSURANIC WASTE
- NRC Notice of Public Meeting on February 22, 2018 re Very Low-Level Radioactive Waste Scoping Study and Disposal of Greater-than-Class C Waste
- LLW Forum News Flash, “NRC Seeks Public Comment re Development of Regulatory Basis for Alternative Means of Disposal of GTCC and Transuranic Waste,” dated February 19, 2018
- February 14, 2018 Federal Register Notice re Greater-than-Class C and Transuranic Waste
- NRC Specific Questions for GTCC and Transuranic Waste Disposal for February 22, 2018 Public Meeting
- NRC PowerPoint Slides re GTCC and Transuranic Waste Disposal for February 22, 2018 Public Meeting
MISSING AND RECOVERED GAUGES
- LLW Forum News Flash, “Small Radioactive Breach During Transport Process at Seattle Hospital: Thirteen People Decontaminated for Radiation Exposure,” May 6, 2019
- LLW Forum News Flash,“Nuclear Gauge Reported Stolen in West Virginia,” September 13, 2016
- LLW Forum News Flash, “Missing Portable Nuclear Gauge Recovered in Connecticut,” July 27, 2016
TRANSPORTATION CASKS
- LLW Forum News Flash, “U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Finalizes Enforcement Action Against Cask Manufacturer,” May 16, 2019
- LLW Forum News Flash, “Holtec Loads Record Number of Multi-Purpose Canisters in 2018,” November 2018
ARCHIVES OF RELATED REPORTS AND MATERIALS
DSWG Documents
- DSWG Brochure
- DSWG Highlights and Talking Points
- DSWG Report to Southeast Compact Commission
- DSWG Poster August 2014
- LLW Forum / DSWG Comments re NRC LLW Strategic Assessment
- DSWG Comments on IAEA Draft Safety Guide DS-454
- LLW Forum News Flash re RIS 2015-15, Specific Exemption in Requirements for Physical Protection of Category 1 and 2 Quantities of Rad Material
DSWG Power Point Presentations
- Presentation to the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors
- Presentation to Organization of Agreement States
- Presentation at Rad Waste Summit
- Presentation to Texas Radiation Regulatory Conference
Other Stakeholder Documents