Packaging and transport of non-standard radioactive materials (orphan sources) - Feedback on small countries radiation safety in extreme situations

Georgia has grave problems with so-called orphan radioactive sources. More than 200 such sources have been found, some of them quite powerful. There are different types of sources among them, mainly 137Cs, 60Co and 226Ra (the ones have comparably low activities). The most significant orphan radioactive sources found in Georgia are 90Sr used for special thermogenerators of electricity. There have been found six (three couples) such sources. Initial activity of each one was 129,5 TBq. Special containers (packages) were constructed for the safe transportation of those sources from finding place to secure storage installation. To regulate transportation of radioactive materials the draft law 'On Transportation of Radioactive Substances' has been prepared. (author)