In September, NNSA’s Office of Radiological Security hosted a conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, highlighting the medical efficacy of alternative technologies – like X-ray – to high-activity radiological sources and their ability to reduce the risk of terrorism.
National Nuclear Security Administration
October 4, 2024
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NNSA’s Office of Radiological Security (ORS) hosted a workshop on Sept. 17-18, in Thessaloniki, Greece, highlighting the medical efficacy of alternative technologies – like X-ray – to high-activity radiological sources and their ability to reduce the risk of terrorism.
The adoption of alternative technology is integral to the enhancement of global security.
“The adoption of alternative technology is integral to the enhancement of global security,” said Christine Bent, NNSA’s Assistant Deputy Administrator for Global Material Security. “We value our regional partners’ commitment to reducing radiological risk by attending the workshop and learning more about making the transition to alternative technologies, and we look forward to working closely in support of their goals to make their communities and countries more secure.”
Regulators and representatives from Algeria, Greece, and Italy heard expert insights, networked with personnel from sites that have already adopted alternative technologies, and spoke directly with ORS representatives about the support offered for transitioning from radioactive source-based devices to X-ray technology.
ORS and its subject matter experts from NNSA’s Sandia National Laboratories and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory highlighted the benefits of technologies like X-ray, which can treat more units of blood in less time than cesium devices and do not have radioactive sources that could be used for malicious purposes.
This is a great opportunity to learn from industry experts. ... We are thankful for ORS’s assistance and are happy to have made the switch.
“This is a great opportunity to learn from industry experts. In 2021, we removed one cesium blood irradiator in operation and agreed to pilot the transition to a new blood X-ray irradiator," said Damianos Sotitopoulos, Director of the Department of Hematology at the Papanicolaou General Hospital near Thessaloniki, Greece. “The X-ray has been installed and in use at the hospital since early 2024, and we are thankful for ORS’s assistance and are happy to have made the switch.”
This workshop built on the success of a March 2024 workshop for Portuguese and Spanish research and medical sites interested in transitioning to alternative technologies.
ORS’s mission is to enhance global security by preventing radioactive materials from being used in acts of terrorism. ORS works with government, law enforcement, and businesses across the globe to protect radioactive sources used for medical, research, and commercial purposes; removes disused radioactive sources; and reduces the global reliance on radioactive sources through the promotion of non-radioisotopic alternative technologies.