Introduction

2%

4%

2% 2%

88%

2%

Full-fledged medical centres Industrial users

Research institutes

Importers

Diagnostic X-ray facilities Others

Different Types of Licensed Radiation Facilities

Shielding Design of Radiation Facilities

The shielding flaws are due to lack of quality management during

construction of buildings of radiation facilities. PNRA issues directive to

the licensee for corrective actions and follow-up inspections are

conducted to verify the corrective measures.

The licensees face problems in shielding design/ calculations for

radiation facilities particularly Medical LINAC facilities or PET-Cyclotron

due to shortage of qualified experts.

PNRA has developed software for shielding calculations of medical

radiation facilities. PNRA also organizes training courses relevant to

shielding design of radiation facilities from time to time for its licensees.

Patient Dose Assessment and Reference Levels

Studies for patient dose assessment has been initiated.

PNRA also intends to establish national diagnostic reference levels

which involve wide scale surveys at national level.

Due to shortage of trained personnel, unavailability of appropriate

equipment and financial resources, efforts are being made to obtain

data for different types of radiological procedures from medical centers

through the distribution of data collection forms.

The analysis of collected data will serve as input in defining the national diagnostic reference levels .

Management of Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources

PNRA has issued Regulations on

Radioactive Waste Management -

PAK/915 for the safe management of

radioactive waste including Disused

Sealed Radioactive Sources (DSRS).

Revised regulatory framework is also meant to include requirements

dealing with the decommissioning of radiation facilities or disposal of

radiation sources, at the time of licensing of radiation facilities.

PNRA is continuously striving for effective regulatory control over the

safe and secure use of radiation sources in the country. PNRA pays

special attention to capacity building of its employees as well as

licensee’s personnel and believes that it can play a vital role to

overcome the challenges. PNRA is committed to overcome all the

challenges to accomplish its mission.

International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems: Sustaining Improvements Globally, Vienna, Austria, 11–15 April 2016 (IAEA-CN-236)

Service Provider for QC/Repair/Maintenance

Currently, the service providers are not being regulated, however,

regulatory framework is being extended to regulate the service

providers by including necessary provisions in the Regulations for the

Licensing of Radiation Facility(ies) other than Nuclear Installation(s).

The licensees face problems in the periodic QC/ repair/ maintenance

of radiation equipment due to lack of service providers. In addition,

quality of the services provided need to be strengthened.

Training courses are organized to aware/

train licensee’s personnel regarding QC of

radiation equipment.

To verify QC of diagnostic X-ray machines,

PNRA inspectors also perform some tests

like collimation, beam alignment during

periodic inspections of radiation facilities.

The shielding design of radiation facilities submitted by licensees

under Regulations for the Licensing of Radiation Facility(ies) other than

Nuclear Installation(s) - PAK/908 are reviewed thoroughly.

The adequacy of provided shielding is also verified through radiation

survey during pre-licensing inspection of radiation facilities. On some

occasions, leakage of radiation has been observed through the

installed/ constructed shielding usually at the joints of structures.

PNRA has specified guidance levels for

medical exposure in the Regulations on

Radiation Protection - PAK/904.

These guidance levels are adopted from

the IAEA Safety Standards (the BSS).

PNRA being the regulatory body of the country has made various efforts

to ensure protection of the people and environment from harmful effects

of ionizing radiation.

The use of radiation sources is

increasing in Pakistan with the passage

of time and more than four thousand

radiation facilities has obtained license

from PNRA.

Conclusion

Asif Shehzad*, Zia H. Shah*, Javed Iqbal* *Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract Radiation sources are widely used in the fields of medical, industry, agriculture, research, etc. Owing to the inherent risk of

exposure to ionizing radiation while using the radiation sources and management of associated waste, safety measures are of utmost importance

including robust regulatory control. Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) is responsible for supervising all matters pertaining to nuclear

safety and radiation protection in the country. Since its inception, PNRA has made rigorous efforts to regulate the radiation facilities, for which

regulatory framework was further strengthened by taking into account international norms/practices. However, due to vibrant use of these facilities,

there are numerous regulatory challenges being faced while implementing the regulatory framework. These challenges pertain to shielding design of

some facilities, control over service provider for QC/repair/maintenance of radiation equipment, assessment of patient doses and establishment of

national diagnostic reference levels for radiological procedures. Further, the regulatory framework also delineates requirements to minimize the

generation of associated radioactive waste including management of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS).

63%

31%

6% Sources transferred to designated storage areas

Sources in use

Sources returned to supplier

Status of Sealed Radioactive Sources

Keeping DSRS at radiation facilities is discouraged due to safety and

security concerns.

In some instances, returning the DSRS to supplier or transferring it

to the designated radioactive waste storage facility is delayed due to

administrative or financial reasons.

If any DSRS is found at a radiation facility for long time, PNRA

inspectors conduct special inspection and discuss the problem with the

licensee or directives are issued to the licensee to resolve the problem

without further delay.