Transportation safety risk for source recovery versus consequence of leaving radioactive sources in place and vulnerable due to limited transport options or denial of shipment

Abstract

Potential risks associated with transportation safety of recovered radioactive sources in normal commerce are rhetorically compared to the latent risk of not recovering disused radioactive sources due to limited transport options or outright denial of shipment. It is essential, during each phase of the recovery process, to ensure secure, timely, cost effective and reliable means to return vulnerable radioactive sources to safe and protected locations by land, sea and/or air transport. In some cases, only limited transport options exist or denials of shipment may occur that impede the recovery process. Risks associated with normal transportation of recovered sources are considered less significant than the risks related to leaving disused radioactive sources at their original location.