Society News Archive

A disused source is any sealed source of radioactive material that is not currently being utilized and will never be utilized again for the original intended purpose. There are approximately 2 million sealed sources and tens of thousands of disused sources in the United States.

In September 2011, at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration/Global Threat Reduction Initiative, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Forum formed the Disused Sources Working Group (DSWG). 

The DSWG has created two brochures: "Proper Management and Dispositioning of Disused Sealed Sources" is intended for current licensees and "Considering the Use of Radioactive Sealed Sources and Devices" is intended for prospective licensees. 

Any questions or comments on the brochures or the DSWG itself can be sent to Health Physics Society (HPS) Agency Liaison Craig Little, who is the HPS liaison to DSWG.