The need of a Member State’s Commitment to prevent denial of shipments of radioactive material worldwide

Abstract

Radioactive sources are used globally in a wide range of beneficial applications in the health care industry, in industrial applications, manufacturing, exploration and development, as well as in basic scientific research. In fact, some 45 % of the world’s medical disposable products are gamma sterilized using cobalt-60, in processing plants located around the world. Other vital applications such as cancer treatment, nuclear medicine, oil exploration and industrial radiography routinely and extensively use radioactive sources. In addition, radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals are used tens of millions of times every year in the diagnosis and treatment of disease in patients globally, or even for everyday uses in smoke detectors and some types of lighting. The ability to use such radioactive materials in these sectors is dependent on their safeness and secure transport, both within and between countries, to ensure that all countries have access to this technology in a timely and cost
effective manner. This paper analyzes the issue of denial of shipment and the need of a Member State’s commitment, to facilitate the transportation of radioactive material for society’s benefit.