Protection of the public from the threat of radiation exposure due to orphan sources: lessons to be learnt from the radiological accidents

More than 75% of the radiation accidents reported world over are caused by radiation devices, mainly sealed sources. Though this can be attributed to the increasing application of radioactive sources, it also demands strengthening the control measures to reduce such radiological accidents. Some of the accidents involving orphan sources have led to the exposure of the public and environmental contamination. Based on the lessons taught by these accidents, this paper suggests methods to avoid such emergency situations created by the orphan sources and to protect the public from the threat of unwanted exposures. (author)