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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register sources?

All disused sealed sources must be registered, regardless of the activity level. You can register your sources here.

What information is required for voluntary source registration?

During the registration process, we will collect specific information regarding your facility and each disused sealed source, including:

  • Contact Information
  • Manufacturer
  • Model
  • Serial Number
  • Isotopes
  • Activity (Curies)

In certain instances, legal reuse and recycling may be feasible and are encouraged by NNSA and OSRP. By completing the source registration with OSRP, registrants indicate that they have considered recycling but have opted not to pursue that option.

Please note that registration does not imply nor guarantee that the program can assist with the removal or disposition of all radioactive materials. OSRP will evaluate recovery on a case-by-case basis and may coordinate other removal mechanisms as needed.

While not all documentation is mandatory for recovery, providing OSRP with comprehensive information is crucial. For inquiries regarding required documents, please contact OSRP.

What sources are recovered by the OSRP?

Prior to November 2000, OSRP focused on environmental cleanup, specifically recovering U.S.-origin radioactive sealed sources that lacked a commercial disposal pathway in the U.S., such as:

  • Am-241 greater than 100ηCi/g
  • Pu-238 greater than 100ηCi/g
  • Pu-239 greater than 100ηCi/g

In November of 2003, the NNSA assumed responsibility for OSRP, expanding the mission to include the removal of excess sources that pose potential threats to public health, safety, and national security. The NNSA broadened OSRP’s scope to include isotopes of concern identified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including:

  • Cs-137 greater than 130 Ci
  • Sr-90 greater than 130 Ci
  • Co-60 greater than 130 Ci

Licensees holding disused sources of any isotope or activity level should consult with OSRP if they encounter challenges with disposition.

What if my high-activity device is still in use?

The NNSA’s Office of Radiological Security (ORS) collaborates with government entities, law enforcement, and businesses across the globe to safeguard radioactive sources used for medical, research, and commercial. They also facilitate the removal and disposal of disused radioactive sources and promote viable non-radioisotopic alternative technologies to reduce global reliance on high-activity radioactive sources.

For more information on how ORS and its programs can assist, please click here.

Should we register sources that are still in use by authorized users?

Disused sealed radioactive sources are categorized as “excess sources” in our OSRP database; however, sources that are still in use may also be registered at any time by indicating that they are not excess. These non-excess (still in use) sources will be included in our database, but will not be considered for recovery until the owner informs us that they are no longer needed. Sources can be changed from "still in use" to "excess," or vice versa, by contacting OSRP via phone, fax, or email and specifying the requested change.

What if my unwanted source is still in a device?

OSRP is not authorized to perform disassembly services. Few licensees are authorized by their regulator (NRC or Agreement State) to perform activities such as disassembly, source removal, and handling of bare sources. If unwanted sources remain in a device, consider the following options:

  • Return device to manufacturer– Manufacturers/distributors of devices (e.g., level gauges, moisture/density gauges, etc.) will accept returns for recycling or disposal. In some cases, manufacturers/distributors may also accept devices made by other companies as well.
  • Hire a commercial service provider– Disassembly and disposal can be arranged by contacting broker services authorized by their regulator to perform the required disassembly. Most broker services are familiar with our program and can assist with both disassembly and disposal.
  • Transfer to another licensee – In accordance with applicable regulations, devices that are still usable but no longer needed by the owner may be transferred to another licensee for continued use.

Please note: Removal of source(s) from the device is not necessarily required for high-activity sources such as irradiators or teletherapy devices. Such handling should only be performed by qualified personnel. Removal of high-activity items are handled by OSRP and their subcontractors on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, the entire device is removed intact due to the inherent shielding it provides for the sources. Sources should also not be removed from smoke detectors.

What can I do with License Exempt Sources?

Sealed sources with activities equal to or less than the values set by 10 CFR 30.71 Schedule B do not require an NRC license or agreement state an equivalent from an Agreement State. These disused sealed sources have a commercial disposal. The license exempt limits can be found at this eCFR link (Schedule B). Agreement States may have their own list of exempt sources within their jurisdiction. Facilities should use commercial waste broker services for arrangements.

What can I do with unwanted uranium items or material?

OSRP does not remove or manage any type of uranium material. Licensees with unwanted uranium (other than depleted uranium), may direct inquiries for assistance to the Central Scrap Management Office for Uranium (U-CSMO). If the private sector possesses DOE-owned uranium or if an individual has uranium that they should not have (e.g., in a garage), the CSMO can be contacted to engage the appropriate resources. The Y-12 CSMO in Oak Ridge, TN is the only remaining CSMO, and the U-CSMO does not accept or arrange for the return of spent nuclear fuel or irradiated uranium.

Are sealed sources and special form sources the same thing? 

No, sealed sources and special form sources are not identical, although they are related. According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a "sealed source" refers to radioactive material encased in a capsule designed to prevent leakage or escape. In addition to meeting the definition of a sealed source, "special form" sources must satisfy the following DOT conditions according to 49 CFR 173.403:

  1. It is either a single solid piece or a sealed capsule containing radioactive material that can be opened only by destroying the capsule; 
  2. The piece or capsule has at least one dimension not less than 5 mm (0.2 in); and 
  3. It must satisfy the test requirements of 49 CFR 173.469.

Therefore, special form sources are items that have been tested and certified for their containment characteristics; all other materials are considered "normal form" even if they are in a capsule.

Are there different types/categories of sealed sources?

Numerous types of sealed sources have been manufactured containing radioisotopes that range in activity from microcuries to thousands of curies. Much of what OSRP has recovered to date includes transuranic materials greater than 100ηCi/g, such as Pu-239, Pu-238, and Am-241 sealed sources, as well as some other actinide isotopes. Some of these sources also contained light metals such as beryllium or lithium to enhance neutron generation. Irradiation devices, contain high-activity gamma-ray emitting isotopes such as Cs-137 or Co-60. Sr-90 has been used to create radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), where the energy of the beta particle emissions is captured as heat and converted to electricity using thermocouples.

Why is the recovery of sealed sources necessary?

Some sealed source owners or custodians are no longer licensed by the NRC or Agreement States and/or can no longer properly maintain security for these sealed sources in their possession. Other sealed sources may have exceeded their certified life and/or lack a disposal option. Sealed source owners have often been compelled forced to store these unwanted sealed sources for extended periods.

The recovery of these excess and unwanted radioactive sources is necessary because such entities typically do not have the kind of organized and secure storage necessary to prevent unauthorized access to the radioactive material.

Is there a possibility for the reuse/recycling of radioactive sealed sources?

In some cases, legal reuse and recycling may be possible and are encouraged by the NNSA and OSRP. This can be achieved through a licensee-to-licensee transfer in compliance with applicable regulations. OSRP is not involved in the recycling process or non-recovery-related shipments of materials between licensees. If you are interested in potentially finding continued use for your unwanted radioactive material, please consult with the manufacturer or other interested parties on the CRCPD List of Possible Outlets for Common Radioactive Materials and Brokers and contact them directly for more information.

How can I view the registered sources for my facility or change the inventory?

Once sources are registered, those data entries cannot be viewed by the registrant due to security protocols. Registrants can request status updates by contacting OSRP. Changes to source registrations, including the addition or removal of sources and updates to site contact information can be submitted to OSRP. Routine information verification may be requested from each site once per year via phone or email. Please note that the OSRP verification process is not affiliated with the NRC National Source Tracking System annual reconciliation process.

How do I identify radioactive sources and devices? 

A valuable resource for identifying unknown radioactive sources and devices is the IAEA Nuclear Security Series Technical Guidance Reference Manual.

Where can I learn more about Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) scenarios?

For EOD scenario inquiries, please visit the EOD Scenario page.

 

Disclaimer: The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Off-Site Source Recovery Program (OSRP) encourage the legal reuse and recycling of materials whenever feasible. Registration with the program does not imply nor guarantee assistance with the removal or disposition of all radioactive material. The information provided on this website, including hyperlinks and email correspondence from OSRP staff, should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any private or commercial entity.