Transportation of radioactive material in Georgia

A 3-yr study of radioactive materials transportation examined the magnitude of radioactive materials shipments in terms of numbers of packages and motor vehicle trips and types of materials; compliance with regulations for packaging, labelling, handling, external radiation exposure, and surface contamination; and dose to workers as measured with personnel dosimeters. Much of the information was obtained at the Atlanta airport and its vicinity, a package distribution center for the southeastern U.S., and at the Barnwell, S.C. radioactive waste burial site, the destination of most shipments of radioactive waste from or through Georgia. Approximately 12,000 packages in radioactive material categories I, II and III were handled in Georgia each year. Motor vehicles made approximately 3300 trips per year. Some instances of noncompliance were observed, but few of them had the potential for elevated radiation exposure of persons. Several incidents associated with radioactive material transport are reported, of which one may have resulted in slightly elevated exposures to persons. Among drivers and handlers who worked with radioactive material shipments, dosimeters showed that less than one-half of them received radiation doses above background levels. The highest doses were found for drivers who transported large numbers of 99Mo generators.