The transport of radioactive materials - Future challenges

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials, TS-R-1, set the standards for the packages used in the transport of radioactive materials under both normal and accident conditions. Transport organisations are also required to implement Radiation Protection Programmes to control radiation dose exposure to both workers and the public. The industry has now operated under this regulatory regime safely and efficiently for nearly 50 years. It is vital that this record be maintained in the future when the demands on the transport industry are increasing. Nuclear power is being called upon more and more to satisfy the world's growing need for sustainable, clean and affordable electricity and there will be a corresponding demand for nuclear fuel cycle services. There will also be a growing need for other radioactive materials, notably large sources such as Cobalt 60 sources for a range of important medical and industrial uses, as well as radio-pharmaceuticals. A reliable transport infrastructure is essential to support all these industry sectors and the challenge will be to ensure that this can be maintained safely and securely in a changing world where public and political concerns are increasing. This paper will discuss the main issues which need to be addressed. The demand for uranium has led to increased exploration and the development of mines in new locations far removed from the demand centres. This inevitably leads to more transport, sometimes from areas potentially lacking in transport infrastructure, service providers, and experience. The demand for sources for medical applications will also increase, particularly from the rapidly developing regions and this will also involve new transport routes and increased traffic. This raises a variety of issues concerning the ability of the transport infrastructure to meet the future challenge, particularly in an environment where there already exists reluctance on the part of some commercial transporters, for example shipping lines, to handle radioactive cargoes. The World Nuclear Transport Institute is addressing these issues, for example by facilitating cooperation between consignors and shippers, advice on radiation protection programmes, the provision of a knowledge base to help the various stakeholders in the transport chain and also by its involvement in training courses. There is ample evidence to demonstrate that the real risks to man and the environment from radioactive transport operations are small, not only for severe accident scenarios but also for malicious acts. It is therefore vital that we continue our efforts to dispel irrational fears and reassure the public that under the current IAEA regulatory regime radioactive material transport is a necessary, safe and secure operation. (author)