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International Response

Radiation Source Reduction & Management
 Source Reduction  Source Tracking   Orphan Source Detection
  and Response
 Orphan Source Recovery

Scrap metal recycling is an increasingly international industry. Worldwide, recycled scrap metal is one of the most broadly traded commodities, representing a multibillion-dollar industry. International metal processing industries are very concerned about the importation of scrap metal contaminated by radioactivity:

Radiation monitoring by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the metal processing industries is responsible for increased identification of these contaminated materials. EPA is working on several approaches to prevent entry of contaminated scrap metal into the United States.

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Grapple-Mounted Radiation Detectors

Grapple mounted with a radiation sensor. (click image for larger view.)

EPA conducted a pilot study of monitoring imported scrap metal for radiation2 using grapple-mounted radiation detection systems. Grapples are large claw-like devices, mounted on cranes, that grab assorted pieces of scrap metal and move it from ship based containers to land-based transportation containers. More than 2.3 million tons of metal were monitored at two U.S. ports during off-loading operations.

By monitoring each small, discrete volume of scrap metal as it is taken off the ship, any radioactive material could be identified and removed from loads being transported to metal processing facilities.

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Convening an International Group of Experts

UNECE

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Since 1998, EPA has been working to secure uncontrolled radioactive sources and to prevent future losses. With an increasing number being detected, EPA proposed to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) that a Group of Experts be convened to discuss the issue. The proposed emphasis would be on identification of internationally acceptable solutions.

The meeting was designed to build on previous UNECE work described in the Report on the Management of Radiation Protection Aspects in the Recycling of Scrap Metal3. This report recommended measures to avoid the introduction of radiation sources into the metal recycling stream.

Prior to the meeting, a questionnaire was distributed by the UNECE to member nations and interested parties to determine the current state of scrap metal monitoring and regulation, particularly with respect to border crossings and points of entry. The responses to the questionnaire formed the basis for discussion at the meeting, which was held at the UNECE Headquarters in Geneva during April 2004.

The Group of Experts meeting attendees represented a range of monitoring expertise, from countries that have well-defined radiation monitoring programs to those wishing to initiate a program:

The Group of Experts identified three major needs for the near future:

The results of the initial meeting2, along with the discussions of specific country programs are available electronically in the meeting report, Monitoring, Interception and Managing Radioactively Contaminated Scrap Metal 2004 Exit EPA Disclaimer

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Second Session of the Group of Experts: June 12-14, 2006

During the second session of the Group of Experts, held in June 2006, the participating countries and organizations reported on progress made since the initial meeting in 2004. Proceedings: Monitoring and Response Procedures for Radioactive Scrap Metal (PDF) (130 pp, 2.38MB About PDF) June, 2006 Exit EPA Disclaimer

The Group updated responses to the Questionnaire, and based on the needs identified in these responses, drafted the Recommendations on Monitoring and Response Procedures for Radioactive Scrap Metal for review at the meeting. The Recommendations are based on best practices, industry standards, as well as national and international safety regulations and standards. They provide a framework to government officials and the metal processing industries for dealing with radioactive scrap metal. They also encourage responsible, effective, and coordinated responses to these contaminated materials during the prevention, detection and response phases. The Group of Experts finalized the Recommendations, and in December, 2006, published Recommendations on Monitoring and Response Procedures for Radioactive Scrap Metal (PDF) (52pp, 2.1MB About PDF) 2006 Exit EPA Disclaimer

Following an international survey of available training materials, the Group of Experts developed a plan to support governments and the metal processing industry in implementing the Recommendations. The Group of Experts presents a comprehensive overview of elements needed for international training program and needs for capacity building to address gaps in knowledge in the document, International Training and Capacity Building Strategy for Monitoring and Response Procedures for Radioactive Scrap (PDF) (42 pp, 481K About PDF) 2007 Exit EPA Disclaimer

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References

The following documents

  1. Ray Turner, River Metals Recycling, Ft. Mitchell, KY, November, 2004 personal communication.
  2. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). 2004. Monitoring, Interception and Managing Radioactively Contaminated Scrap Metal. Exit EPA DisclaimerECE/TRADE/172, UNECE, Geneva, Switzerland.
  3. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). 2002. Report on the Improvement of the Management of Radiation Protection Aspects in the Recycling of Metal Scrap. Exit EPA DisclaimerECE/TRADE/278, UNECE, Geneva, Switzerland.
  4. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). 2002. Report on the Improvement of the Management of Radiation Protection Aspects in the Recycling of Metal Scrap. Exit EPA DisclaimerECE/TRADE/278, UNECE, Geneva, Switzerland, Annex 5, pg. 91-99.
  5. Proceedings: Monitoring and Response Procedures for Radioactive Scrap Metal (PDF) (130 pp, 2.38MB About PDF) June, 2006 Exit EPA Disclaimer
  6. Recommendations on Monitoring and Response Procedures for Radioactive Scrap Metal (PDF) (52 pp, 2.1MB About PDF) 2006 Exit EPA Disclaimer

Other UNECE radiation publications Exit EPA Disclaimer

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