Waste Technology Section

Radioactive Waste Management Information Systems


International Catalogue of Sealed Radioactive Sources and Devices (SOURCE)


Responsible Officer : Mohamed AL-MUGHRABI

 

The IAEA has developed a comprehensive system of data on sealed radioactive sources (SRS). The system includes data on the actual SRS as well as on the devices housing the sources. The package is in the form of a computer database and is called "International Catalogue of Sealed Radioactive Sources and Devices".

This Catalogue provides vital information for a wide range of individuals and organizations on industrially manufactured radioactive sources and devices, designated as "source models" and "devices models".

This Catalogue facilitates source identification based on limited information available (or "found") for given radioactive sources or devices, and thereby assists in handling them safely.

General Description

The Catalogue utilizes a vast amount of data to provide information for a given unknown source or device for which only a few data are available. The information is managed through three main linked databases. The Catalogue options include an identification system (browser), in which the inquirer fills in a form displayed on the screen. When the form is completed, the Catalogue will deliver the identity of the most likely source or device.

Source Models: This database contains data on source models (i.e. radionuclides, activity, category, shape, size, manufacturing details, uses, manufacturer/distributor, etc.). At present the Catalogue contains 6800 source models.
Device Models: This database contains data on device models including transport containers (i.e. description, applications, manufacturer/ distributor and identification of authorized sealed sources inside the device). At present the Catalogue contains 8000 device models.
Suppliers: This database contains addresses of manufacturers and distributors of SRS and devices housing such sources. At present the Catalogue contains information about 1200 manufacturers/ distributors.

Origin of Information

The development of the catalogue involved the collection of information available within the IAEA and from:

  • Source Manufacturers and Distributors,

  • Devices and Equipment Manufacturers and Distributors,

  • Regulatory bodies in Member States,

  • Waste Management Companies,

  • Professional Associations,

  • Main users.
 

Target Group

The target group for use of this catalogue is widely varied, and includes regulators, professionals dealing with orphan sources, manufacturers, distributors, emergency response teams, users of sources/devices, law enforcement organizations, customs authorities, scrap yards and metal production plants and waste management companies.

Public Enquiries

Contact the nominated national coordinator(s) in your country for inquiries on a case-by-case basis on particular sources, devices or manufacturers.

Future Development and Updating

In order to make the Catalogue more effective and useful, further data are continuously added. Based on feedback and recommendations from users, continuous efforts are given to make it more user-friendly.

Availability

Since the primary purpose of the Catalogue is to help identifying disused, spent, and orphan sources, the Agency is answering inquiries from Member States on a case-by-case basis on particular sources, devices or manufacturers. The IAEA is currently taking the necessary actions to provide the nominated national coordinators with access rights to use the Catalogue according to an established dissemination policy.

Contacts

Waste Technology Section
Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology
International Atomic Energy Agency
Wagramer Strasse 5, P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel: +43-1-2600 Fax: +43-1-26007,
E-mail: Source-Catalogue@iaea.org