Radiation and Waste Safety Ahmad Al Khatibeh Section Head, Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Safety Section Division of Radiation and Waste Safety

Radiation and Waste SafetyRadiation and Waste Safety

Ahmad Al Khatibeh

Section Head, Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Safety Section Division of Radiation and Waste Safety

Department of Nuclear Safety and Security

21 April 2023

Infrastructure in ASIA & PACIFICInfrastructure in ASIA & PACIFIC

21 April 2023REGIONS

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IndexIndex

• Background;• Practices with Sources of Ionizing

Radiation Exposure and the need for Radiation Safety;

• Radiation Safety Approach by Six Thematic Safety Areas (TSA) , ASIA&PACIFIC Status;

• RASIMS

2


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Background


ENDIAEA SAFETY STANDARDS

FundamentalsUnderlying principles (aimed at politicians and regulatory bodies)

www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/SeriesMain.asp

Requirements

Specific obligations and responsibilities(“shall”)

GuidesRecommendations to support requirements (“should”)


END

IAEA’S RADIATION SAFETY STANDARDSIAEA’S RADIATION SAFETY STANDARDS

IAEA Safety Standards are not legally binding on Member States but may be adopted by them, at their own discretion

IAEA Safety Standards are binding on IAEA in relation to its own operations and to operations assisted by the IAEA; and

Member States receiving IAEA assistance are obliged to apply IAEA Safety Standards

Board of Governors have specifically requested that TC projects involving radiation sources should only be submitted for approval if the country has achieved a certain minimum level of radiation safety


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Legal Nature of the IAEA Safety StandardsLegal Nature of the IAEA Safety StandardsOffice Legal Affairs OLA (2010) Office Legal Affairs OLA (2010)

6

INFCIRC/267, which provide in paragraph A.1(h) that “the IAEA’s Safety Standards and Measures SHALL be applied , were relevant , to operations making use of Technical Assistance provided”


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Assistance in Application of Safety StandardsAssistance in Application of Safety Standards

Agency assistance on radiation safety since 1979

Regional Projects

Agency Assistance in Radiation Safety (1970- 2009)Field 9.

78

102

125

24

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1979 1989 1999 2009

Years

Nu

mb

er o

f C

ou

ntr

ies

Rec

eivi

ng

Ass

ista

nce

Rapat Missions

1986 Chernobyl

1979 Three Mile Island

1994 Model Projects 2005

Regional Projects

Passive Proactive

Source: TC- WONG, Sin May

40404040

2011


END

Practices with Sources of Ionizing Radiation Exposure and the need for Radiation

Safety


END

Uses of radiation in industry:Uses of radiation in industry: Non-destructive testing using industrial radiography Non-destructive testing using industrial radiography

Aero industrye.g: testing airframes

Carindustry

e.g: testingairbags

Electronic industrye.g: testing circuit boards

Testing pipelines& bridges


ENDUses of radiation cancer treatmentUses of radiation cancer treatment

By 2009 - estimated number of new cancer cases per year : 15,000,000(2/3 in developing countries)

source: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)

Radioactive sources temporarily or

permanently in/on the body (brachytherapy)

Treatment with radiation beam (teletherapy)


END

Uses of radiation in nuclear medicineUses of radiation in nuclear medicine

Currently around 30 million nuclear medicine examinations take place in 70 countries per

year


ENDUses of radiation in x-ray diagnosisUses of radiation in x-ray diagnosis


END

Uses of radiation: Oil-well loggingUses of radiation: Oil-well logging


END

Uses of radiation: SterilizationUses of radiation: Sterilization

e.g.: irradiators used to extend shelf-life of food, sterilize medical products, blood etc.


END

EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATIONEFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION

• DeterministicDeterministic• Existence of dose threshold (under this dose, the

effect is not observable).• Effect severity increase with dose.

• StochasticStochastic• No threshold.• Probability of the effect increases with dose.• Severity is considered maximum (equivalent to

fatal event).


END

Accidents involving industrial Accidents involving industrial radiographyradiography

• Source not retracted (jammed and/or disconnected)

• Source retracted but not locked in the device


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Active Use: Accidents involving industrial Active Use: Accidents involving industrial irradiators: El Salvador, 1989irradiators: El Salvador, 1989

Workers over-ride safety systems and enter the irradiation room when source rack is unshielded and manipulate it


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Incorrect repair of accelerator (Spain)Incorrect repair of accelerator (Spain)

27 patients were treated using electrons with the faulty equipment

Of the 27 patients15 died as a consequence of overexposure–Radiation injuries of the lung and spinal cord


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Ir-192 source used for industrial radiography became detached from the camera.

Loss of control: Accidents in Industrial Loss of control: Accidents in Industrial radiography, radiography,

Small size of source


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Loss of control: teletherapy source, Goiania, Loss of control: teletherapy source, Goiania, Brazil (1987)Brazil (1987)

1985:Private radiotherapy clinic closed down

Unit dismantled, Cs-137 source capsule ruptured causing major contamination, 4 deaths, buildings demolished and costs US$20 million

1987: teletherapy head stolen

50.9 TBq (1375 Ci) caesium-137 teletherapy machine left in abandoned clinic

=>


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Who has been exposed ?Who has been exposed ?

• Workers industrial radiography irradiators (radioactive sources and accelerators)

• Public orphan sources

• Patients misadministration of radio-pharmaceuticals miscalibration/miscalculation of dose for radiotherapy brachytherapy sources left in patient overexposure during interventional procedures


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How can IAEA help?How can IAEA help?

Radiation Safety Approach

by Six Thematic Safety Areas (TSA)


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Radiation and Waste Safety Radiation and Waste Safety Infrastructure AreasInfrastructure Areas

Thematic Safety Areas (TSA) :

• TSA 1: Regulatory Framework

• TSA 2: Occupational Radiation Protection

• TSA 3: Patient Radiation Protection

• TSA 4: Public Radiation Protection

• TSA 5: Emergency Preparedness and Response

• TSA 6: Education and Training

• TSA7 Transport (New)


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• Each TSA is composed of various elements derived from IAEA Safety Standards

• The progress made in each element by a State is assigned a Performance Indicator between 0 (no progress) and 3 (good progress)

Country Status

0

1

2

3

Non R

WM

fra

mew

ork

Contr

ol D

ischarg

es

Environm

enta

l

Monitoring

Contr

ol F

oodstu

ffs

Contr

ol C

hro

nic

Exposure

s

Recyclin

g

National W

aste

Polic

y

WM

& D

ecom

fram

ew

ork

Genera

l S

afe

ty

pro

vis

ion

Pre

dis

posal

managem

ent

Cle

ara

nce R

egim

e

Sto

rage

Dis

posal

Decom

mis

sio

nin

g

Rem

edia

tion

Pe

fom

an

ce

In

dic

ato

rs

PI = 0 or 1

PI = 2

PI = 3

Quantitative Assessment of Progress - Quantitative Assessment of Progress - Performance Indicators (PIs)Performance Indicators (PIs)

National Regulatory Infrastructure

(TSA 1)


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National Regulatory Infrastructure (TSA National Regulatory Infrastructure (TSA 1)1)

Focuses on establishing an independent and functional regulatory infrastructure in a Member State (MS) so that it

meets IAEA Safety Standards.

It include 14 Elements:

1. Legislation,2. Regulations and Guidance,3. Regulatory Body Establishment

and independence 4. Regulatory Body Staffing and

Training 5. Regulatory Body Funding6. Coordination and Cooperation

and the National Level7. International Cooperation

8. Notification and National Register of Radiation Sources

9. Authorization10. Safety and Security of

Radiation Sources11. Inspection12. Enforcement13. Information management14. Quality Management


END

TSA 1 Status Asia & Pacific 2009-2012TSA 1 Status Asia & Pacific 2009-2012

2012

31% High Progress

53% Medium Progress

16% low Progress

StatuStatus s

2009

35% High Progress

40% Medium Progress

25% low Progress


END

TSA 1 Status by Element 2012TSA 1 Status by Element 2012

29


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TSA1 elements % of MS with PI= 0 or PI = 1

Legislation 28%

Regulations 34%

RB structure/ Effective independence 28%

RB staffing 34%

RB Funding 34%

Co-ordination and co-operation 34%

International co-operation 38%

Notification and Register 28%

Authorization 28%

Safety and Security 34%

Inspection 38%

Enforcement 59%

Information Management 53%

Quality Management 69%

TSA 1 – Asia & the Pacific: Main NeedsTSA 1 – Asia & the Pacific: Main Needs


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• A national system of radiation safety legislation has been established in most of the countries.

• In most of the countries the current legislative framework provides the basis for the safety and security of radioactive sources.

• Availability of qualified staff to undertake the regulatory activities.

Main needs:

• Registry of sources, inspection and authorization 30%

• Lack or Weak Enforcement system 59%

TSA 1 – Asia & the Pacific: Main NeedsTSA 1 – Asia & the Pacific: Main Needs

Occupational Radiation Protection (TSA 2)


ENDOccupational Radiation Protection (TSA 2)

Elements of TSA 2 include among others :

1. Individual monitoring for external radiation sources

2. Individual monitoring for intake radionuclides

3. Workplace monitoring

4. Service providers

To establish and develop a national programme for ORP in compliance with the requirements of the BSS and relevant safety guides;


END


2012

10% High Progress

60% Medium Progress

30% low Progress

2009

10% High Progress

55% Medium Progress

35% low Progress


END

TSA 2 Status by ElementTSA 2 Status by Element

35


END

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TSA 2 – Asia & the Pacific: Main needsTSA 2 – Asia & the Pacific: Main needs

TSA2 elements % of MS with PI=0 or PI = 1

Regulatory Infrastructure 31%

Individual External Monitoring 31%

Individual Intake Monitoring 75%

Workplace Monitoring 50%

Services Providers 50%

End-users 63%

Natural sources 84%


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• Most of the countries have an external monitoring system in place , however still 31% of the MSs in which this system should be established;

• Limitations concerning facilities for monitoring of internal exposure 75%;

• Limitations concerning facilities for workplace monitoring in almost 50% of the countries;

• Radiation protection activities due to natural sources should be addressed 84%;

TSA 2 – Asia & the Pacific: Main needsTSA 2 – Asia & the Pacific: Main needs

Radiological Protection of Patients and Protection in Medical Exposure

(TSA 3)


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Radiological Protection of PatientsRadiological Protection of Patients (RPP)(RPP)

Thematic Safety Area (TSA) 3Thematic Safety Area (TSA) 3

•Radiation protection of patients in:

• diagnostic & interventional

radiology

• radiotherapy

• nuclear medicine

•Quality assurance

• to enhance radiological protection of patients and the control of exposures in diagnostic and interventional radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine;

• to build capacity and develop technical capabilities for quality assurance (QA) programmes for radiation protection in medicine;


END


2012

6% High Progress

44% Medium Progress

50% low Progress

2009

6% High Progress

43% Medium Progress

51% low Progress


END

TSA3 Status by Element 2012TSA3 Status by Element 2012

41


END

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TSA 3 - Asia & the Pacific: Main needsTSA 3 - Asia & the Pacific: Main needs


Regulations 34

Diagnostic Radiology - Experts and RP training 75

Diagnostic Radiology - Optimization 75

Optimization in Radiography & Fluoroscopy 88

Optimization in Mammography 78

Optimization in CT 75

Interventional Procedures - Experts and RP training 88

Interventional Radiology - Optimization 94

Nuclear Medicine - Experts and RP training 53

Nuclear Medicine - Optimization 63

Radiotherapy - Experts and RP training 47

Radiotherapy - Optimization 44


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• Lack or weak implementation of quality assurance programmes in diagnostic radiology.

• Lack of qualified experts and training in diagnostic radiology.

• Lack of qualified experts and training in diagnostic radiology and optimization programmes in Interventional Radiology.

• Establishment of patient dosimetry in hospitals is missing in many countries

TSA 3 - Asia & the Pacific: Main needsTSA 3 - Asia & the Pacific: Main needs

Division of Radiation, Waste and Transport Safety

Public & Environmental Radiological Protection (TSA 4)

(including Waste Safety)


END

Includes mainly:

• Optimization and limitation of public exposure.

• Environmental monitoring.

• Safety of radioactive waste management.

Public Radiological ProtectionPublic Radiological Protection


END


20122009

3% High Progress

60% Medium Progress

37% low Progress

3% High Progress

60% Medium Progress

37% low Progress


END

TSA 4 Status for each element 2012TSA 4 Status for each element 2012

47


END

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Regulatory framework 41

Control Discharges 72

Environmental Monitoring 66

Control Foodstuffs 38

Control Chronic Exposures 84

Recycling 78

National Waste Policy 69

Waste management and Deco 59

General Safety provision 56

Predisposal management 72

Clearance Regime 78

Storage 63

Disposal 81

Decommissioning 97

Remediation 97

TSA 4 - Asia & the Pacific: Main NeedsTSA 4 - Asia & the Pacific: Main Needs

41% 72% 66% 38% 84% 78% 69% 59% 56% 72% 78% 63% 81% 97% 97%


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• In many countries existing regulations only partially consider the requirements for public exposure established in the BSS.

• In many countries adequate criteria for discharges are not defined, but regulatory activities and provisions made by the operators appear to ensure a reasonable standard of protection .

• Lack of National Strategy for Waste Management

• Lack of radioactivity control for recycling

• Limited national storage or disposal facilities

TSA 4 - Asia & the Pacific: Main NeedsTSA 4 - Asia & the Pacific: Main Needs

Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC)

Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR)

TSA 5


END

IEC Mission StatementIEC Mission Statement

Global Focal Point

for

International Preparedness and Response

to

Nuclear and Radiological Safety or Security related Incidents, Emergencies, Threats or

Events of Media Interest


END

Elements of TSA 5 in the Framework of EPRElements of TSA 5 in the Framework of EPR

ME 1: Basic responsibilities

ME 2: Assessment of threats

ME 3: Emergency management

ME 4: Identifying, notifying and activating

ME 5: Mitigatory actions

ME 6: Urgent protective action

ME 7: Information response

ME 8: Protecting emergency workers

ME 9: Assessing the initial phase

ME 10: Medical response

ME 11: Keeping the public informed

ME 12: Longer term protective actions

ME 13: Mitigating the the non-radiological

consequences

ME 14: Infrastructure

MAIN ELEMENTS


END


20122009

9% High Progress

53% Medium Progress

38% low Progress

9% High Progress

53% Medium Progress

38% low Progress


END

Status by ElementStatus by Element

54

Division of Radiation, Waste and Transport Safety

Education and Training (TSA 6)


END

Education and Training (E & T)Education and Training (E & T)Thematic Safety Area 6Thematic Safety Area 6

Building Capability through Education and Training (E & T) in radiation, transport & waste safety in the Member

States (MS)to reach Self Sustainability

The objectives include:

•To support the target countries in their effort to attain a core number of managers, qualified experts, trainers and specialists in radiation protection; and

•to develop adequate expertise and skills required for sustainable national radiation protection infrastructure.


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TSA 6 (Education and Training in Radiation and TSA 6 (Education and Training in Radiation and Waste Safety)Waste Safety)

• TSA 6 Regional Project – currently used mainly to support Post Graduate Education Course (PGEC) in radiation protection and the safety of radiation sources.

• Future emphasis should focus on assisting States to develop national strategies to support sustainable E&T programmes at the national level. – New elements for TSA 6 are being developed

• PGEC support must also continue


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RASIMSRASIMS

Radiation Safety Information Management System

RASIMS

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RASIMS RASIMS

• What is RASIMS?What is RASIMS?• RASIMS is a web-

based platform that enables Member States and the IAEA Secretariat to jointly collect, analyse and collect, analyse and view view information regarding the national infrastructure for radiation and waste safety.

• What is RASIMS?What is RASIMS?• RASIMS is a web-

based platform that enables Member States and the IAEA Secretariat to jointly collect, analyse and collect, analyse and view view information regarding the national infrastructure for radiation and waste safety.

http://rasims.iaea.org


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RASIMS Includes Regional and National RASIMS Includes Regional and National Information and Performance DataInformation and Performance Data


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RASIMS Coordinators in ASIA & PACIFIC

Mr Nuon MONOROM

Cambodia

Mr Yus Rusdian AKHMAD

Indonesia

Ms Firoozeh NAZERI

Iran

Mrs Rawaa JAMEL BASHIR

Iraq

Eng. Ashraf GHASSAB

Jordan

Dr Youssef ASSAFIRI

Lebanon

Dr Afkar AL FARSI

Oman

Ms Bushra NASIM

Pakistan

Dr Corazon C.BERNIDO

Philippines

Dr Riad SHWEIKAN

Syria

Mr Sunthorn KOMOLSUK

Thailand

Ms Aayda A. AL SHEHHI

United Arab Emirates

Mr Thanh Luong DANG

Vietnam

Mr Khaledn Abdullah Al-Ahmed

Yemen

Malaysia

Ms. Monalija KOSTOR

Note Verbal: 21-04 -2011 Note Verbal: 21-04 -2011

Al KHATIBEH, Ahmad ([email protected])Bangladesh

Md. Mahbubur Rahman


END

IAEA are helping Member States to: Establish and maintain effective National

Radiation Safety Infrastructures Adopt and apply the International Safety

Standards in all TSAs Implement the Code of Conduct Develop sustainable education and training Increase safety culture and awareness – public,

political

SummarySummary

But…Government commitment is needed


END

NSRW - summaryNSRW - summary

Working for, and with, Member States

to establish a global safety regime

that ensures the protection of

workers, patients,

the public and the environment

from the adverse effects of ionizing radiation

http://www-ns.iaea.org/home/rtws.asp


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Thank You for your Attention

Documents

Radiation and Waste Safety Ahmad Al Khatibeh Section Head, Regulatory Infrastructure and Transport Safety Section Division of Radiation and Waste Safety