Radioactive Materials Product Stewardship A Background Report for the National Dialogue on Radioactive Materials Product Stewardship Prepared by the: Product Stewardship Institute University of Massachusetts/Lowell Pinanski Building, Room 303 One University Avenue Lowell, MA 01854 June 11, 2003 Do Not Cite or Quote without Permission 6/11/03 Table of Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................................... I 2. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................... 6 3. PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP ................................................................................................................................................. 9 3.1 THE “JUSTIFICATION” PRINCIPLE IN RADIATION PROTECTION ........................................................................................... 9 3.2 PRINCIPLES OF PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP ........................................................................................................................... 10 3.3 LIFE CYCLE APPROACH IN THIS PROJECT .......................................................................................................................... 11 4. THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS ............................................................................... 13 4.1 RADIONUCLIDES AND NUCLEAR FIXED GAUGES .............................................................................................................. 13 4.2 RADIONUCLIDES AND TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS ...................................................................................................................... 13 4.3 RISK INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................................................ 14 4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENTS IN THE NMED DATABASE ................................................................................................. 17 5. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 23 5.1 FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................................................................. 23 General License Requirements .......................................................................................................................................... 25 Labeling ............................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Annual Registration Requirements for Certain Devices ................................................................................................... 26 Low Level Waste (LLW) Disposal Regulations ................................................................................................................. 28 5.2 STATE REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRAMS ........................................................................................................................... 29 5.3 GENERAL LICENSE REGISTRATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 31 5.4 ENFORCEMENT.................................................................................................................................................................... 33 5.5 CODES/STANDARDS ............................................................................................................................................................ 34 Standards Relevant to Exit Signs ....................................................................................................................................... 34 Standards Relevant to Nuclear Fixed Gauges .................................................................................................................. 34 Standards Relevant to Cleanup and Exposure .................................................................................................................. 35 5.6 EXPORT/IMPORT ................................................................................................................................................................. 35 Export .................................................................................................................................................................................. 35 How Export Actually Works ............................................................................................................................................... 36 Import .................................................................................................................................................................................. 36 Recent Import Initiatives to Enhance Accountability ........................................................................................................ 37 5.7 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ..................................................................................................................................................... 38 6. MANUFACTURING, SALES, AND USE ......................................................................................................................... 39 6.1 NUCLEAR FIXED GAUGES .................................................................................................................................................. 39 6.1.1 Product Functionality ................................................................................................................................................ 39 6.1.2 Product Applications ................................................................................................................................................. 39 6.1.3 Radioactive Components ........................................................................................................................................... 39 6.1.4 Major Product Manufacturers .................................................................................................................................. 41 6.1.5 Product Costs ............................................................................................................................................................. 41 6.1.6 Major Distribution Channels .................................................................................................................................... 42 6.1.7 Quantity Produced/Sold Annually ............................................................................................................................ 43 6.1.8 Reuse/Transfer ........................................................................................................................................................... 44 6.1.9 Hazards During Manufacture, Sales and Use ......................................................................................................... 44 6.1.10 Alternative Non-Radioactive Gauge Technologies ................................................................................................ 45 6.2 TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS ........................................................................................................................................................... 47 6.2.1 Product Functionality ................................................................................................................................................ 47 6.2.2 Product Applications ................................................................................................................................................. 47 Do Not Cite or Quote without Permission 6/11/03 6.2.3 Radioactive Components ........................................................................................................................................... 47 6.2.4 Major Product Manufacturers .................................................................................................................................. 48 6.2.5 Product Costs ............................................................................................................................................................. 48 6.2.6 Major Distribution Channels .................................................................................................................................... 49 6.2.7 Quantity Produced/Sold Annually ............................................................................................................................ 50 6.2.8 Reuse/Transfer ........................................................................................................................................................... 50 6.2.9 Hazards During Manufacture, Sales and Use ......................................................................................................... 51 6.2.10 Alternative Exit Sign Technologies ......................................................................................................................... 51 6.3 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ..................................................................................................................................................... 54 Nuclear Fixed Gauges .......................................................................................................................................................