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| IAEA ILLICIT TRAFFICKING RADIATION DETECTION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM | |
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), illegal proliferation of nuclear materials has become a great problem as a result of increasing illicit transport of radioactive sources and nuclear materials. The response of the IAEA to this problem was development of a new program for dealing with criminal nuclear activities entitled THE ILLICIT TRAFFICKING RADIATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM – ITRAP.
CONTENS
The IAEA in co-operation with the Austrian Research Center Seibersdorf tested radiation detection systems used by customs and other authorities of various countries. The tests were carried out at the Austrian-Hungarian border and the Vienna airport and involved equipment for gamma and neutron radiation detection under field (non-laboratory) conditions from 23 manufacturers and suppliers. The participating companies from Austria, Byelorussia, Germany, Canada, Russia, USA, and France exchanged experience and agreed on the list of requirements to the radiation detection equipment to be used at borders.
OBJECTIVE
The ITRAP objective was to select equipment capable of operating under field condition and to work out appropriate specifications for this equipment.
RESULT
The tests under ITRAP have resulted in a report containing a list of requirements to monitoring systems for border uses and a list of equipment recommended for the use by customs and other authorities. The report was included in the IAEA Safety Regulations concerning prevention, detection, and response to illicit trafficking of radioactive materials. ITRAP was also supported by the World Customs Organization and Interpol.
PARTICIPATION OF ASPECT
The Scientific and Production Center Aspect accepted the invitation of the IAEA to take part in ITRAP tests. Three of its devices were tested:
- a stationary system for detection of fissionable and radioactive materials Yantar-1U;
- a stationary system for detection of fissionable and radioactive materials Yantar-2U;
- a universal radiometer-spectrometer MKC-A02.
The laboratory and field tests of those devices showed that they met or exceeded the requirements set forth in the IAEA Technical Manual on Detection of Radioactive Materials at Borders.
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