A Hard Month's Work in Manila. Securing Radioactive Sources (Russian Edition)

Security managers keep a watchful eye on spent radioactive sources. These disused sources, which served myriad purposes in medicine, industry and research, present a potential security threat; they could be obtained by terrorists to construct a dirty bomb. To ensure nuclear security and safety, it is essential to package, store and eventually dispose of these spent sources safely and securely. In some cases, that is easier said than done. For instance, removing an old and highly radioactive source from a medical device is difficult and dangerous. Imagine doing this remotely, using manipulators, in temperatures of up to 35 degrees and over 20 times. This is exactly what the IAEA, together with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), successfully achieved in March and April 2013 at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) in Manila. (author)