In support of its recently adopted Plan INT9182, “Sustaining Cradle-to-Grave Control of Radioactive Sources,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held two meetings for representatives of IAEA member states this June.

From 5 to 9 June, 30 representatives from 22 member states participated in an IAEA-organised training session in Havana, Cuba. The training session was designed to teach participants how to implement and maintain a nationwide inventory of radioactive sources for the duration of their life cycles, and increased participants’ knowledge of IAEA guidelines.

The following week, from 12 to 16 June, the IAEA hosted 29 participants from 19 countries around the world in Buenos Aires, Argentina to discuss safety management methods regarding Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources (DSRS). DSRS are prone to falling out of regulatory protection yet still pose hazards to worker and public safety. Participants at the Buenos Aires meeting included national regulatory authorities and influential waste management operators who were eager to share and learn from each other’s national experiences in attacking the issue of DSRS safety management. Some participants presented plans to implement IAEA Borehole Disposal Systems starting 2018. Read more here.