RADIOLOGICAL SECURITY IN CAMEROON

Cameroon is a country facing challenges in radiological security due to global tensions. Although it has no nuclear facilities, Cameroon uses radioactive sources in medical, industrial, agricultural, and research applications. Their management and regulatory control is crucial. This justified an in-depth analysis of radiological security in the country. The basic aspects of radiological security are examined, including legal instruments. Cameroon has acceded to several international legal instruments and has established a solid regulatory framework. This includes the establishment of the Cameroon regulatory body, the National Radiation Protection Agency (NRPA), which plays a key role in ensuring radiation security in the country. The article highlights the provisions for the strict control and monitoring throughout the life cycle of the sealed radioactive sources, storage of radioactive waste, and materials out of regulatory control. It presents criminal offences related to the different stages of the life cycle of radioactive material and the corresponding penalties. The implementation of the country's efforts to ensure radiological security is presented by pointing out the physical protection of radioactive sources and associated facilities and activities, transport inspection of radioactive sources, radioactive sources out of regulatory control, and waste management of radioactive sources.