PNNL

Abstract

Parts of the transportation sector are increasing their use of radiological tools. An example is the radiographic examination of imported cargo containers. Radiographic systems designed for this purpose may use either a radiation producing machine or a radioactive source as the source of radiation. These systems may themselves be subjects of deliberate acts to damage them or otherwise prevent their operation. The consequences of such an act directed as a system using a radioactive source can be substantially different from those resulting from an act directed at a system using a radiation-producing machine. End-of-life consequences, in particular disposal options, costs and liabilities, are similarly very different for each system. When justifying which system to procure and use, security and disposal should be considered together with other factors such as capital costs, operating and maintenance costs, reliability and user-friendliness. The lesson learned from the examination of justification and security issues associated with cargo container radiography systems can be generalized to other uses of radiation sources. There are radiological risks and liabilities associated with radioactive sources that do not exist when radiation-producing machines are used.