BIR Distributes Poster Identifying Radioactive Scrap Sources

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), Brussels, has begun distributing a poster to assist recyclers in identifying radioactive sources. The poster also provides suggestions for gate monitoring and for what recyclers should do if they suspect radioactive material.

• Isolate the suspicious car, van, truck, containers or equipment. If necessary, stop further processing and dispatching of metal products or wastes.
• Identify people whom may have been exposed to radiation and record their contact information.
• Inform the managing director/operator of the incident; they may seek the assistance of an on-site radiation safety person or external qualified experts.
• Learn about basic radiological protection; if the company has a gate monitor or portable detector, ask how it works.

• Don´t touch or pick up packages or containers with a radioactivity symbol and stay as far away from them as possible.
• Don´t open or destroy any suspicious container under any circumstances. Opening a container may be dangerous for you, your fellow workers and the public. Note that heavy metal containers or shielding blocks may be constructed of depleted uranium rather than of lead.
• Don´t touch suspect or actual radioactive material with your bare hands.