CN-177/24
Inventory of Used, Disused, Waste & Disposed Sources in Kenya
S. Kitia, J. Keterb, R. Kinyuac ,
a,b
c
Radiation Protection Board (RPBI), Kisumu, Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT), Thika, Kenya
E-mail address of main author:shadrackanthony@yahoo.com
Abstract. Kenya is committed to the peaceful applications of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources
in medicine, industry, agriculture and training and research in order to achieve socioeconomic
development. There are 4 nuclear medicine centers, 3 industrial radiotherapy facilities, 2 gamma
irradiator facilities, one linear accelerator, 2 high dose radiation (HDR) Brachytherapy units, 5
industrial radiography units and many training and research facilities in the country that posses
radioactive sources. The Kenya Radiation Protection Board is a Regulatory body established under
Cap 243 of the Laws of Kenya cited as the Radiation Protection Act which provides for the protection
of the public and radiation workers from dangers arising from materials capable of producing ionizing
radiation. The mission of the Board is to accelerate, regulate and expand the contribution of nuclear
and irradiation technology to the Kenyan economy through promotion of nuclear and radiation safety
culture. The use of radioactive material requires an adequate established inventory. The objective of
this project is to establish and maintain a national inventory of sealed and unsealed radioactive
sources in Kenya. A national inventory was done by sending a questionnaire and personal
communication as well thorough countrywide inspection surveys by Radiation Protection Officers
from the regulatory body where lead pot containers were carried in case of disposal of a disused
source or spent source. Advanced survey meters and automes radiation meters were used for radiation
safety work, alarm meters were used to detect the threshold and source identifiers were used to
identify unknown sources and their activities. A total of 130 radioactive sources (34 used, 20 disused,
39 waste and 37 disposed) including their JPEG images were identified and a national inventory
established. Co-60 recorded the highest activity of 11,000 Ci followed by Cs-137 with 400 Ci and Ir192 with 40 Ci. An updated inventory for the next 5 years is recommended.
1. Introduction
The application of radioactive sources in medicine, research, industry, agricultural and consumer
products is a world-wide phenomenon. Consequently, many countries now have sources that need to
be managed and disposed in a safe and secure manner. These sources contain different radionuclide in
highly variable quantities. In some cases, the activity of a source decays to a level below which the
source is no longer suitable for its original purpose, in others the associated equipment may become
obsolete, worn out, or damaged, and in others the source may develop a leak and so is no longer used.
In all these circumstances, the radioactive sources are referred to as ‘disused’ or ‘spent’ [1], even
though their activity could still be high. These sources contain different radionuclides in high
quantities. Majority of sources are small in physical size (e.g. Ra-226 needles), with the only items of
significant size being some industrial radiography units and commercial irradiators.
Despite their small physical size, the sources can contain high activity levels, ranging from KBq to
PBq [2].
Topical Issue No.3: Impact of multinational activities on national responsibility for nuclear safety and security
The Production & International distribution of radioactive sources & medical isotopes
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If they are not managed properly, radioactive sources can represent a significant hazard to human
health and the environment, which is evident from the number of accidents that have taken place
world-wide as a result of the mismanagement of such sources [3]. Some sources can be returned to
their manufacturers and recycled, but for many users of sources it is uneconomical to recycle all
sources. The Radiation Protection Board is a statutory body established under Cap 243 of the Laws of
Kenya cited as the Radiation Protection Act [4]. This Act provides for the protection of the public and
radiation workers from dangers arising from the use of devices or materials capable of producing
ionizing radiation and for connected purpose.
2. Methodology
National inventory of disused radioactive sources has been established as a part of the safe
management of radioactive wastes in the country. A national inventory of all disused, used and spent
radioactive sources was conducted throughout the country. This was done by sending a questionnaire
and personal communication as well thorough countrywide inspection surveys by Radiation
Protection Officers (RPOs) from the regulatory body where lead pot containers were carried in case of
disposal of a disued source or spent source. The reporting included type of radionuclide, use, owner,
status, form, activity, IAEA code and nature.
3. Results
Table 1: Inventory of Radioactive Material in Kenya
Province
Disused
Used
Waste
Disposed
Nairobi
13
9
12
10
Rift Valley
1
3
16
5
Central
1
10
0
10
Nyanza
2
4
6
4
Coast
3
8
5
8
Number of sources
National Inventory of Radioactive Material in
Kenya
20
15
disused
used
10
waste
5
disposed
0
Nairobi
Rift Valley
Central
Nyanza
Coast
Province
Figure 1: National Inventory of Radioactive Material in Kenya as per Province
Topical Issue No.3: Impact of multinational activities on national responsibility for nuclear safety and security
The Production & International distribution of radioactive sources & medical isotopes
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CN-177/24
National Inventory of Radioactive Material in Kenya
Nairobi
Rift Valley
Central
Nyanza
Coast
Fig 2: Chart showing National Inventory of Radioactive Material
Number of sources
National Inventory of sources in Kenya
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
disused
used
waste
disposed
Nairobi
Rift Valley
Central
Nyanza
Coast
Province
Fig 3: Line showing Radioactive Material for the 5 Provinces
Number of Sources
National Inventory of sources
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
disused
used
waste
disposed
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
1-Nairobi, 2-R.Valley, 3-Central, 4-Nyanza & 5-Coast
Fig 4: Scatter of Radioactive Material for the 5 Provinces
Topical Issue No.3: Impact of multinational activities on national responsibility for nuclear safety and security
The Production & International distribution of radioactive sources & medical isotopes
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Rift Valley
Nair obi
disused
Nair obi
0
disused
Nair obi
used
wast e
disposed
Fig 5: Radioactive sources in Nairobi
Rift Valley
Rift Valley
disposed
5
20
15
10
5
0
used
10
waste
15
Fig 6: Radioactive sources in Rift Valley
Nyanza
Fig 7: Radioactive sources in Central
Coast
8
6
5
6
4
4
3
2
Nyanza
1
0
disused
Nyanza
used
wast e
Coast
2
0
disused
disposed
Fig 8:.Radioactive sources in Nyanza
Coast
used
wast e
disposed
Fig 9:.Radioactive sources in Coast
Discussion
A total of 130 radioactive sources (34 used, 20 disused, 39 waste and 37 disposed) including their
JPEG images were identified and a national inventory established. Co-60 recorded the highest activity
of 11,000 Ci followed by Cs-137 with 400 Ci and Ir-192 with 40 Ci. Most diused and used radioactive
sources were found in the capital city. Although most of the source’s activities seem to be negligible,
the regulatory body cannot rule out the health hazards brought about by them with confidence. Proper
handling, transportation, and storage of the same should be maintained.
Conclusion
This shows that most activities involving ionizing radiation from radioactive sources are located at big
towns and cities and that most of the big hospitals in Kenya with disciplines like nuclear medicine;
radiotherapy and Brachytherapy are within Nairobi city. The full national inventory of used, disused,
waste and disposed sources is attached as an appendix at the back of this paper. An updated inventory
of sources is scheduled to take place in 5 years time depending on the availability of funds.
References
[1] INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, IAEA Safety Glossary: Terminology Used in
Nuclear Safety and Radiological Protection, 2007 Edition, IAEA, Vienna (2007).
[2] INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Categorization of Radioactive Sources
(Revision of IAEA-TECDOC-1191), IAEA-TECDOC-1344, IAEA, Vienna (2003).
[3] INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Management for the Prevention of Accidents
from Disused Sealed Sources, IAEA-TECDOC-1205, IAEA, Vienna (2001).
[4] RADIATION PROTECTION ACT 1983, Kenya gazette supplement No.20 legal notice No.54
(17/04/1986)
Topical Issue No.3: Impact of multinational activities on national responsibility for nuclear safety and security.
The Production & International distribution of radioactive sources & medical isotopes
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