Transport of Radioactive Sources

Transport within the Nuclear Medicine Facility

One possible source of exposure to the general public is the transport of radioactive sources. This transport occurs both inside and outside the nuclear medicine facility.

Inside the facility, the transport involves the distribution of radioactive sources from the storage area to the location where they will be used. The facility design should minimize this transport wherever possible. All transport activities must adhere to optimized radiation protection conditions, as outlined by local rules.

Transport to and from the Facility

The transport of radioactive sources to and from the nuclear medicine facility must comply with the internationally accepted IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material. These regulations cover the transport process itself as well as the shape and labelling of the packages used.

Package Design

The package used for transporting radioactive sources typically consists of several components designed to be mechanically safe and reduce the impact of potential fire and water damage. The package must be labelled with a specific sign, and the type of label indicates the dose rate at the surface of the package. There are three types of labels:

• Category I–White: Dose rate ≤ 0.005 mSv/h
• Category II–Yellow: 0.005 < D ≤ 0.5 mSv/h
• Category III–Yellow: 0.5 < D ≤ 2 mSv/h

Transport Index

The transport index provides a more exact figure of the radiation around the package. It is defined as the maximum dose rate (mSv/h) at a distance of 1 meter from the surface of the package, multiplied by 100.

IAEA Safety Standards and Related Publications

The IAEA is authorized under Article III of its Statute to establish or adopt safety standards for protecting health and minimizing risks to life and property. These standards are essential for ensuring safety in various nuclear-related activities, including transport, radiation, and waste safety.

The IAEA Safety Standards Series includes Safety Fundamentals, Safety Requirements, and Safety Guides that cover a wide range of nuclear safety topics. The standards are accessible on the IAEA's official website at www-ns.iaea.org/standards.

Related Publications

In addition to the safety standards, the IAEA also publishes a variety of related materials such as:

• Safety Reports: Practical examples and methods to support safety standards.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Publications: Guides for addressing radiological emergencies.
• Radiological Assessment Reports: Information on radiological safety assessments.
• IAEA Nuclear Security Series: Publications focused on nuclear security issues.
• Nuclear Energy Series: Reports on nuclear energy development and practical applications.

For further information, users are encouraged to visit the IAEA website or see the document at:

IAEA starads of transporting Radioactive Elements
: Document