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Sustaining Cradle-to-Grave Control of Radioactive Sources ( INT-9182) Workshop on Implementation of a National Cradle-to-Grave Control System for Radioactive Sources IAEA, Vienna, 13 – 17 March 2017, Room C1. Status of National System for Control of Radioactive Sources: Ethiopia.
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Sustaining Cradle-to-Grave Control of Radioactive Sources (INT-9182)Workshop on Implementation of a National Cradle-to-Grave Control System for Radioactive SourcesIAEA, Vienna, 13 – 17 March 2017, Room C1 Status of National System for Control of Radioactive Sources: Ethiopia BerihunAsfaw Director, Regulatory Control Division Ethiopian Radiation Protection Authority
National Bodies Responsible for Radioactive sources Management Ethiopian Radiation Protection Authority (ERPA) is authorized to control and regulate the import, export, use, transport, dispose, etc of any Radioactive/radiation sources through the institutional arrangement of two technical departments: 1.Notification and Licensing Directorate: 2.Regulatory Control Directorate and other supporting depts. The principal responsible bodies for the safety and security of radioactive sources are the licensees (medical facilities, research institutes, industries and others) and Stake holder ministries such Ministry of Health , Ministry of Mining, Ethiopian Road Authority, Ministry of Science, Technology and Customs Authority. DSRS are collected and managed in the newly built radioactive waste management facility, which is operational since 2014. The waste management is still managed by the Ethiopian Radiation Protection Authority.
Legal & regulatory framework for radioactive sources There is a legal framework, Proclamation No, 571/2008, empowering the Ethiopian Radiation Protection Authority to control any activities related to Radioactive Source Management. This proclamation is revised with more duties and responsibilities and submitted for council of ministers for approval. Draft regulation on Radiation Protection, safety and security and radiation safety policy with the scope of the new proclamation is prepared. This draft regulation is circulated to be commented by the relevant stakeholders. Waste Management Waste Policy is finalized and will be operational after its approval by the Ministry of Science and Technology. More over; radioactive waste management strategy is prepared to execute this policy. National Radioactive Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan is prepared and endorsed by a consultative meeting of stakeholders; Gaps
Use of Radioactive Sources in the Country Registration of radiation sources and radioactive materials started in 1996 by distributing questionnaires to different institutions and departments in the country and simultaneously issuing announcements in the media. Since then the inventory has been regularly updated. In June 2000, the ERPA issued the final and clearing public call for registration of all radioactive materials. The response was significant; currently an up-to-date inventory is done which will be completed in the mid of 2017. The ERPA has now fully implemented the Regulatory Authority Information System (RAIS 3.2), which provides a systemic integration and will be instrumental in enhancing the effectiveness of the regulatory system.
Cont---- The radioactive source inventory stands at 160 with the following breakdown: Portable Gauges = 118 Fixed Gauges = 30 Wet and Dry Storage Gamma Irradiators = 4 Research (unsealed sources) = 4 Medical application = 4 Total = 160 The status of the inventory is attached in the link for information The sources are used for radiotherapy cancer treatment,Tsese Fly eradication, road construction, level gauge, metal industries and etc.
Cont----- The regulatory also under took Self Assessment of its regulatory Infrastructure (SARIS) in the context of IRRS. Following this self assessment; it is planned for an IAEA IRRS expert mission. Radioactive/radiation source users are registered and licensed by the Ethiopian Radiation Protection Authority before operation. Facilities are also inspected to verify whether the required safety requirements are full filled or not. Inventory is made on annual bases to conduct regular inspections based on the period of inspection of Sources.
Arrangements for Disused sources There is one interim waste storage facility which is used to store the conditioned and un condition radioactive wastes. It consists: conditioning room, storage rooms for SHARS, Neutron sources, Beta sources, storage for short lived unsealed sources, equipment store, room for the future use and different offices with enough receiving area. But the facility needs to be equipped with all the necessary material that enable to treat the waste before stored Inventory of the conditioned and unconditioned radioactive spent or disused sources are stored in the interim storage facility of the (ERPA). Currently ERPA collect DSRSs and orphan sources from different part of the country and identify, classify , registrar and store in the facility.
Cont---- The Regulatory Authority Radioactive waste management policy is founded on the belief that all radioactive sources should be export back to the manufacturer country after its usable time. In principle Ethiopia will import Radioactive material, and at the end of life time export to the manufacturer or dealer. The installation of the physical Protection security system of the waste facility, Radiotherapy center and the Irradiator Facility at Tsese Fly Eradication center are fully operational and functional;
Radioactive waste inventory Short Half Life Radioactive Sources (solid)
Inventory of the unconditioned spent/disused radioactive waste
Gaps • Lack of skilled man power and technical capability. • Lack of and e infrastructure to treat and condition the Radioactive wastes in the facility. • The infrastructure of facility needs to be equipped with all the necessary equipment/material so as to transport DSRSs safely, characterize and condition the DSRSs. • Lack of strong synergy among stakeholders to control orphan sources • Lack of system to control Radioactive sources entering through borders; • Lack of awareness by the public about radioactive/radiation sources. • Absence of DSRS return agreement Documents for some sources;
Key Issues and National needs Equip the waste facility with the necessary equipment. Enhance the technical capability of the staff through short and long term training schemes. Establish a system to control orphan sources and sources entering the country illegally through borders. Support of IAEA/donor counties in the framework of INT9182 is needed; Mobile Tool Kit for conditioning Cat. 3-5 DSRS; required; Absence of DSRS return agreement Documents for some sources; Establish cooperation modalities with stakeholders to work together to implement National Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan , to control orphan sources and the regulatory policies, strategies and regulations in general.
