DENIAL OF SHIPMENT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Radioactive sources are used globally in a wide range of beneficial applications in the health care industry, in industrial exploration and development, as well as in basic scientific research and discovery. In fact, some 45% of the world’s medical disposable products are gamma sterilized using cobalt-60 in processing plants located around the world. Other vital applications such as cancer treatment, nuclear medicine, oil exploration and industrial radiography routinely and extensively use radioactive sources. In addition, radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals are used tens of millions of times every year in the diagnosis and treatment of disease in patients globally. The ability to use such radioactive materials in these sectors is dependent on their safe and secure transport both within and between countries, and to ensure that both developing and developed countries have access to this technology in a timely and cost effective manner. However, delay and / or denial of shipment of radioactive materials is having a negative impact on the timely availability of this safe and beneficial technology. What are some of the key reasons for denial of shipment? How serious is this issue and what is its impact on industry and the public? What are international agencies, non-government organizations, regulators and industry doing about it? In 2009, ISSPA (International Source Suppliers and Producers Association) Chaired the International Steering Committee on the Denial of Shipment of Radioactive Material, and has again assumed this role in 2010 due to the incumbent Chairman’s professional role taking him away from this key function. What are some of the key actions that the International Steering Committee has undertaken? What accomplishments have been achieved and what areas still require international effort amongst key stakeholders? This paper will provide industry perspectives on how the issues causing denial of shipment can be addressed, and how dealing with the root causes of denials will have marked positive impact on the industry and public who rely on them each and every day. Further, this paper will provide some examples to show how ISSPA and other industry associations such as iiA (Industrial Irradiation Association), CORAR (Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals), and AIPES (Association of Imaging Producers and Equipment Suppliers) have and can be actively involved in addressing this issue.