Comprehensive Review on Radioactively Contaminated Scrap Metal Monitoring

1. Overview of Key Areas – Monitoring of Radioactively Contaminated Scrap Metal A presentation to the Group of Experts on Monitoring of Radioactively Contaminated Scrap Metal, Second Session, Geneva, 12-14 June 2006 Ronald B. Pope UNECE - Secretariat

2. Background • Questionnaire both in 2004 and 2006 • Use to assess the contaminated scrap metal situation in States with regard to: • Regulatory Infrastructure • Monitoring • Dispostioning • Contractual • Reporting • Assessment of the 2004 responses were used to assist in discussions at the 1st session of the group of experts • Both the 2004 and 2006 responses were used to develop an overview for this, the 2nd session of the group of experts 2nd Session – Group of Experts

3. Background (Continued) • Overview of issues in key areas developed and issued in April 2006(ECE/TRANS/AC.10/2006/4 and 10/2006/4 Add. 1) • Overview and addendum updated and revised in June 2005* • Responses received: • 48 States in 2004 • 43 States in 2006 • 7 States responding in 2006 did not respond in 2004 • 12 States responding in 2004 did not respond in 2006 • Information on experience in monitoring and controlling contamination in scrap Some countries provided by some States * Available at 2nd Session as an informal handout 2nd Session – Group of Experts

4. 2006 Overview Analysis • Overview for 2006 (ECE/TRANS/AC.10/2006/4, Rev. 1): • Considered all inputs from both years • Was structured in terms of the three main Fields of Action in the Draft Voluntary Protocol: • Prevention • Detection • Monitoring • Was used to define • Best Practices • Areas Needing Attention Can be used at this 2nd Session of the Group of Experts to guide deliberations on the Draft Voluntary Protocol! 2nd Session – Group of Experts

5. Prevention–Regulatory Infrastructure 2nd Session – Group of Experts

6. Prevention–Regulatory Infrastructure (Continued) Wide Range In Penalties Exist 2nd Session – Group of Experts

7. Prevention – Best Practices • In general: • Have established regulations • Have active enforcement programmes • Are adopting IAEA Code of Conduct • Have established exemption levels • Allow release of very low levels of radioactivity • Have established responsibilities for • training • accounting and storage of identified contaminated waste • Many are supporting “Polluter Pays” principle 2nd Session – Group of Experts

8. Prevention – Areas Needing Attention • Data collection/analysis on radiation levels from scrap metal/processed metals • Regulatory control of NORM and TENORM • Identify sources of contamination • Strengthen contracts • Radioactive free scrap metal • Origin of scrap metal identified • Training in visual inspection and response • Standardize approach to defining transfer of ownership of scrap metal 2nd Session – Group of Experts

9. Detection – Border Monitoring Wide Range of Extent of Monitoring of Imports & Exports 2nd Session – Group of Experts

10. Detection – Areas Needing Attention • No best practices identified • Areas needing attention include: • States should issue clear directives & guidance • Need consistent approach to border monitoring • Standard approaches to: • Acquisition • QA • Maintenance • Calibration • Use of radiation detectors • Worldwide standard for detection alarm threshold 2nd Session – Group of Experts

11. Response – Best Practices • Government investigation of all detection/alarm reports • Protocols for response action to alarms • Clear financial responsibilities • Clear responsibilities for physical disposition of detected materials • Specific processes for disposition of detected sources • Identified regulations and controls for transport of radioactive source or material 2nd Session – Group of Experts

12. Response – Areas Needing Attention • Forms to guide reporting and response actions • Information brochures, bulletins, posters • Formal protocol for reporting and acting on an alarm • Consistent basis for response to alarms • Include clear definition of basis for transporting contaminated material or sources where contents are unidentified • Establishing an international standard for: • Melting contaminated metal • Accumulating detected materials • National free-of-charge disposal facilities 2nd Session – Group of Experts

13. Additional Inputs to be Considered In Summary: • Sections D, E and F of the Overview of Key Areas elaborates on: • Best Practices, and • Areas Needing Attention • for the three main Fields of Action in the Draft Voluntary Protocol: • Prevention • Detection • Response • These sections include brief discussions of: • Evidence from the questionnaires • National examples 2nd Session – Group of Experts