Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) have been installed around the world at points of entry and exit to monitor contents of vehicles/containers passing through them to prevent and detect illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control. Due to the sensitivity of the RPMs, radiation alarms can often be triggered by innocent shipments simply transporting commercial cargoes that contain radionuclides of natural origin. When this happens, it is called a “nuisance alarm”. Nuisance alarms can create operational and logistical difficulties and various techniques have been developed to manage nuisance alarms. The choice of a technique should be based on a thorough understanding of the positives and negatives of the technique, balanced against threat, operational, and policy needs. This webinar will provide an overview of the various approaches that can be used to manage nuisance alarms.
Objectives
The objective of the webinar is to provide an overview of techniques used for managing nuisance alarms from Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs). Additionally, the webinar will introduce opportunities for States to further enhance their own approaches for nuisance alarms and address current and planned safety and security guidance.
Programme
Opening session: Overview and Objectives
Mr Charles Massey, Nuclear Security Officer, Nuclear Security of Materials Outside Regulatory Control Section, Division of Nuclear Security, IAEA
Issues with nuisance alarms on RPMs
Mr Julian Hill, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Department of Homeland Security, USA
General approaches to reducing nuisance alarms
Mr. Khalil Boudjemline, Science and Engineering Directorate, Canada Border Services Agency, Canada
Evaluation of nuisance alarm reduction techniques/systems
Mr Jonathan Friedman, National Coordinator Megaports, Customs and Excise, Federal Public Service Finance, Belgium
Application for the optimization of RPM operation in the Republic of Korea
Mr Jaekook Lee, Senior Researcher, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, Republic of Korea
IAEA Radiation Safety Guidance Applicable to Trade in Commodities and NORM
Mr Hari Pappinisseri Puthanveedu, Radiation Protection Specialist, Radiation Protection Unit, Radiation Safety and Monitoring Section, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety, IAEA
