Assuring radiation safety in the industrial applications of radiation sources

Radiation sources have found a wide spectrum of applications in industry in India in recent years ranging from simple devices incorporating radioactive sources of a few millicuries such as radioisotope gauges to more sophisticated facilities incorporating multicurie strength sources such as radiation sterilization plants. The diversified applications of a large number of radiation sources in industry demand an intensive radiation protection programme ensuring safety of the radiation workers and the public as well. The radiation safety aspects in the major fields of applications of radiation protection programme undertaken by the Division of Radiological Protection of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay and the recommended built-in and operational safety features of industrial gadgets incorporating radiation sources are described. (auth.)