The IAEA Database on Radioactive Devices containing Depleted Uranium (DU) as Radiation Shielding

There is a large inventory of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS) that have been accumulated in various Member States, and it is likely to continue increasing over time, given the current and future potential use of sealed radioactive sources worldwide. In the context of the safe management of DSRS, an important and emerging issue of immediate concern is the management of Depleted Uranium (DU) contained in radiation shielding materials. In order to enhance the safe management of devices containing DU, the IAEA has developed a database that includes information about devices which contains DU as shielding materials for sealed radioactive sources (SRS). The Database contains basic information on more than 500 models of radioactive devices (used in medicine, industry, research and agriculture) that contains DU as shielding material. The information includes (1) the device model, (2) the manufacturer and/or distributor, (3) the amount of DU (in Kg) in each model, (4) the use of the device, and (5) Pictures of each device to facilitate the proper identification. Additional relevant information (e.g. years of production/distribution, radionuclide shielded) is included in the "comments" field. The Database is published under the Professional Network DSRSNet, and it is readily accessible to all professionals registered users for the DSRSNet. The Database is particularly useful for Member States to compete their national inventories of DSRS and, prepare their national strategy for the safe management of DSRS. The database also helps Member States in complying with their safeguard obligations. The database is being recurrently used by safeguard professional and inspectors in identifying such nuclear material. (author)