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#1 Posted : 23 April 2002 08:26:00(UTC)
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Posted By Gary Levers Hi everyone, I hope someone out there is able to help me. We are looking at a tender which will involve transporting a small radiation source. The source is CS-137 (350Bq), housed in an aluminium case. What guidelines are there for carrying such sources, particularly with regard to air travel?
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#2 Posted : 23 April 2002 10:02:00(UTC)
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Posted By John Donaldson Gary So far as Road Transport in the UK is concerned you need to look at the Radioactive Material (Road Transport)(Great Britain) Regulations 1996 SI 1350. Just to complicate maters the Regulations then refer to the regulations covering transport by rail for some of the definitions. Air transport is best referred to one of the specialist air cargo handlers as it can differ between airlines and the destination country. One other matter you will need to consider is registration with the Environment Agency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 if you are not already registered. I am presuming the CS-137 isotope you are referring to is a closed source and part of an analytical instrument. If you are intending to use it in the field you will also need a mobile source authorisation. To complicate matters further the EA authorisation only covers England if you intend to use it in Scotland you will need to register with SEPA. The activity you quote 350 Bq looks very low for a source I would have expected it be in the order of 350 kBq could I suggest you check this figure again. The activity will make a significant difference to how you transport it. I have given a quick overview but in all matters relating to the use of radioactive materials you must refer this to the RPA appointed under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999.
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#3 Posted : 25 April 2002 16:13:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mark Jarman Gary, So far as the air transport of these substances is concerned, they will fall under either the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations, or the International Air Transport Association (IATA) dangerous goods regulations. Not all air cargo agents, handlers, airports and airlines are able to handle radioactive material as there are a myriad of licencing controls. In the first instance you should contact a reputable freight forwarding agent, they should be able to advise on packaging and documentation requirements, and be able to identify a routing for you. Whatever you do, please make sure that everyone knows the material is radioactive, as failure to do this causes a big problem for airlines, results in the civil aviation authority being involved and will usually end up with substantial fines and possible imprisonment! Hope this helps! Regards Mark
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