Introduction
2%
4%
2% 2%
88%
2%
Full-fledged medical centres Industrial users
Research institutes
Importers
Diagnostic X-ray facilities Others
Different Types of Licensed Radiation Facilities
Shielding Design of Radiation Facilities
The shielding flaws are due to lack of quality management during
construction of buildings of radiation facilities. PNRA issues directive to
the licensee for corrective actions and follow-up inspections are
conducted to verify the corrective measures.
The licensees face problems in shielding design/ calculations for
radiation facilities particularly Medical LINAC facilities or PET-Cyclotron
due to shortage of qualified experts.
PNRA has developed software for shielding calculations of medical
radiation facilities. PNRA also organizes training courses relevant to
shielding design of radiation facilities from time to time for its licensees.
Patient Dose Assessment and Reference Levels
Studies for patient dose assessment has been initiated.
PNRA also intends to establish national diagnostic reference levels
which involve wide scale surveys at national level.
Due to shortage of trained personnel, unavailability of appropriate
equipment and financial resources, efforts are being made to obtain
data for different types of radiological procedures from medical centers
through the distribution of data collection forms.
The analysis of collected data will serve as input in defining the national diagnostic reference levels .
Management of Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources
PNRA has issued Regulations on
Radioactive Waste Management -
PAK/915 for the safe management of
radioactive waste including Disused
Sealed Radioactive Sources (DSRS).
Revised regulatory framework is also meant to include requirements
dealing with the decommissioning of radiation facilities or disposal of
radiation sources, at the time of licensing of radiation facilities.
PNRA is continuously striving for effective regulatory control over the
safe and secure use of radiation sources in the country. PNRA pays
special attention to capacity building of its employees as well as
licensee’s personnel and believes that it can play a vital role to
overcome the challenges. PNRA is committed to overcome all the
challenges to accomplish its mission.
International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems: Sustaining Improvements Globally, Vienna, Austria, 11–15 April 2016 (IAEA-CN-236)
Service Provider for QC/Repair/Maintenance
Currently, the service providers are not being regulated, however,
regulatory framework is being extended to regulate the service
providers by including necessary provisions in the Regulations for the
Licensing of Radiation Facility(ies) other than Nuclear Installation(s).
The licensees face problems in the periodic QC/ repair/ maintenance
of radiation equipment due to lack of service providers. In addition,
quality of the services provided need to be strengthened.
Training courses are organized to aware/
train licensee’s personnel regarding QC of
radiation equipment.
To verify QC of diagnostic X-ray machines,
PNRA inspectors also perform some tests
like collimation, beam alignment during
periodic inspections of radiation facilities.
The shielding design of radiation facilities submitted by licensees
under Regulations for the Licensing of Radiation Facility(ies) other than
Nuclear Installation(s) - PAK/908 are reviewed thoroughly.
The adequacy of provided shielding is also verified through radiation
survey during pre-licensing inspection of radiation facilities. On some
occasions, leakage of radiation has been observed through the
installed/ constructed shielding usually at the joints of structures.
PNRA has specified guidance levels for
medical exposure in the Regulations on
Radiation Protection - PAK/904.
These guidance levels are adopted from
the IAEA Safety Standards (the BSS).
PNRA being the regulatory body of the country has made various efforts
to ensure protection of the people and environment from harmful effects
of ionizing radiation.
The use of radiation sources is
increasing in Pakistan with the passage
of time and more than four thousand
radiation facilities has obtained license
from PNRA.
Conclusion
Asif Shehzad*, Zia H. Shah*, Javed Iqbal* *Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), Islamabad, Pakistan
Abstract Radiation sources are widely used in the fields of medical, industry, agriculture, research, etc. Owing to the inherent risk of
exposure to ionizing radiation while using the radiation sources and management of associated waste, safety measures are of utmost importance
including robust regulatory control. Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) is responsible for supervising all matters pertaining to nuclear
safety and radiation protection in the country. Since its inception, PNRA has made rigorous efforts to regulate the radiation facilities, for which
regulatory framework was further strengthened by taking into account international norms/practices. However, due to vibrant use of these facilities,
there are numerous regulatory challenges being faced while implementing the regulatory framework. These challenges pertain to shielding design of
some facilities, control over service provider for QC/repair/maintenance of radiation equipment, assessment of patient doses and establishment of
national diagnostic reference levels for radiological procedures. Further, the regulatory framework also delineates requirements to minimize the
generation of associated radioactive waste including management of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS).
63%
31%
6% Sources transferred to designated storage areas
Sources in use
Sources returned to supplier
Status of Sealed Radioactive Sources
Keeping DSRS at radiation facilities is discouraged due to safety and
security concerns.
In some instances, returning the DSRS to supplier or transferring it
to the designated radioactive waste storage facility is delayed due to
administrative or financial reasons.
If any DSRS is found at a radiation facility for long time, PNRA
inspectors conduct special inspection and discuss the problem with the
licensee or directives are issued to the licensee to resolve the problem
without further delay.
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