prevention and control of radioactive contamination in ... · prevention and control of radioactive...
TRANSCRIPT
Rajoo Kumar Scientific Officer,
Radiological Safety Division
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
Prevention and Control of
Radioactive Contamination
in
Metal Recycling Industries
Prevention and Control of Radioactive Contamination
in
Metal Recycling Industries
Rajoo Kumar [email protected]
www.aerb.gov.in
Outline
About AERB
Introduction to radioactive contamination in metals
Detection and response of radioactive contaminated
metal
Prevention
Initiatives by AERB
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi
Atomic Energy
Regulatory Board
was constituted on
November 15, 1983
by the President of
India by exercising
the powers
conferred by the
Atomic Energy Act
to carry out certain
regulatory and
safety functions
under the Act.
Anushakti Nagar,
Mumbai
About AERB
Mission of AERB
The mission of the Board is to ensure that use of ionizing
radiation and the nuclear energy does not cause any
undue risk to the worker, members of the public and
the environment.
The UNs Nine Classes of Dangerous Goods
1. Explosive Substances
2. Gases
3. Flammable liquids
4. Flammable solids
5. Oxidizing substances
6. Toxic substances
7. Radioactive material (RAM) 8. Corrosive substances
9. Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
6 MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi
Source of Radioactive contamination in metal
The source of radioactive contamination in finished goods originates
from inadvertent entry of radiaoctive material (RAM) in scrap used in
smelters producing recycled steel or other non-ferrous metals.
National/International concern: it has economical, social, radiological,
political and environmental impact.
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi
7
Introduction (1 /2)
In the recent years there were some reported cases
of detection of low level radioactive contamination in
steel/brass products in India and in other countries
as well.
Most of the cases were because of inadvertent
melting of orphan sources along with the scrap.
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 8
Introduction (2/2)
Radioactive sources are widely used in industry, medicine,
agriculture and research purposes.
In majority cases, the reason behind radioactive sources
reaching scrap stream are:
- Generally management (at higher levels) of an industry
is not aware of presence of radioactive source.
- Theft for scrap value of lead containers containing
radioactive source.
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi
Potential Consequences
Consequences can be broadly classified into two categories:
Health
- negligible in majority of cases
Other than health
-Anxiety amongst workers and the general public about the health
consequences
-Great economic loss to the affected industries
-Bad name to the company & to the country
- Panic in the society and misconception of radiation health effects
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 10
What should be our objective?
Prevention of RAM entering in to scrap stream
Detection of RAM in scrap and finished products
Response , in case RAM found either in scrap or in finished
products
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 11
Prevention (1/2)
Majority of the contamination problem occurs because of orphan
sources
Orphan sources: Radioactive sources that are not neither under
regulatory control nor under its owner
About 400 sources are lost in USA in a year
About 70 sources are lost in EU in a year
Illicit trafficking of RAM
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 12
Prevention(2/2)
Can be prevented by:
Better awareness amongst the users on how to deal with
radioactively contaminated metal.
Better regulatory control over RAM
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 13
Detection
RAM can be detected in the metal scrap stream by monitoring the
metal scrap in the following way.
Administrative Monitoring
Visual Monitoring
Radiation Monitoring
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 14
Administrative Monitoring
The following administrative procedures can provide a first
indication of whether there is a significant potential for radioactive
scrap metal to be present in consignments
Knowledge of the origin of the scrap metal
Knowledge of the scrap metal supplier
The history of previous transactions
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 15
Visual Monitoring
• Metal scrap should be visually monitored during its handling
at scrap yards, melting plants and institutions involved with value
addition
• Persons handling scrap should be trained to recognize the
different types of radiation sources, source housings and radioactivity
warning signs.
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 16
SOURCE
SHIELDED
CONTAINER
OUTER
CONTAINER
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 17
Radiation Labels on Packages
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 18
Radiography Device
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 19
Source Containers
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 20
Marking
Class 7 Dangerous Good
Excepted Package
Type A Package
Type B(U) Package
Type (M) Package
CAID (Competent Authority Identification Mark); format e.g.
IND/16/B(U)-96
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 21
Radiation Monitoring
Possible presence of radioactive material in scrap metal and
finished products should be checked for radiation using fixed
and/or portable radiation monitors.
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 22
Location of Radiation Monitoring
• Monitoring outside of a container as a whole while entering the
industry
• At the time of unloading the scrap
• At the time of filling the charge bucket
• After manufacturing of products like metal sheets, billets, ingots
• In the laboratory while performing the composition analysis
• Monitoring of slag and off-gas dust
• At the time of containers leaving the industry with finished products
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 23
Monitoring of Scrap (1/2)
Fixed Monitors
Location: weigh bridge/entrance of the institute
Speed of truck carrying the scrap container preferably be less
than 8 km./h
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 24
Monitoring of Scrap (2/2)
Portable Monitors
Location: any accessible place
Speed of the monitor should be less than 0.2 m/sec.
Weight should be less and handly.
Should start reading from background levels i.e. from about 0.03
µSv/h and resolution should be at least 1 µSv/h
Low response time (about 3-4 seconds)
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 25
Response to the alarms (1/2)
Once an alarm is confirmed as genuine alarm, cordon off the area
around the container
At the cordoned off area, it is required to display radiation caution
symbol and a placard mentioning “RADIATION AREA-KEEP AWAY”
at a prominent location
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 26
Response to the alarms (2/2)
• Contact-
Head, Radiological Safety Division
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
Niyamak Bhavan
Mumbai-400 094
Phone: 022-25990655, 25574287
Fax: 022-25990650
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 27
Present Provision for Import of Metal Scrap
As per Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT):
All the imported metal scrap shall be accompanied by
radiation monitoring certificates issued by accredited Pre-
Shipment Inspection Agencies (PSIAs); currently about 40
agencies accredited by DGFT ; Public Notice no. 18/2004-
09 dated October 21, 2004 (re-issued in Nov, 2009).
There should be a contract between importer and exporter
that the consignment does not contain any radioactive
material (para. 2.32 of Handbook of Procedures Volume-1)
PSIC system is further strengthen in 2015
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 28
Initiatives for preventive actions by AERB
Portal monitors at major sea ports are installed and at most of the
ports it is commissioned
Inter-Ministerial Committee meetings to address the issue
Co-ordination with DGFT (for recognisation of PSIAs), EEPC and
NISST
Co-ordination with various associations like AIIFA, MRAI,
JFOA(Jamnagar) etc.
Development of guidance material for the metal recycling industry
Inputs to the IAEA document on the subject matter
Conduction of 19 no. of awareness porgrammes
In addition, AERB had also conducted radiation protection surveys
and provided guidance to the affected industries
29
National / International Trade
Before selling the metal products, the sellers should ascertain
that up to what contamination level it is acceptable to the buyer
and to the country.
Note: The buyer’s acceptable levels should never exceed the
country’s acceptable level.
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 30
Photos of contaminated material
Some more photographs
Management Mantra
Learning of lessons:
i. From own mistakes- may cost crores of rupees to the affected
party because of radioactive contamination
ii. From other’s mistakes- free of cost
Start monitoring of metal scrap/raw material to avoid financial loss at
large scale and also protect workers, public at large and the
environment.
MRAI 3rd International Indian Metals Recycling Conference, Jan 22-23, Delhi 33
Thanks for your attention !!!
34