The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in partnership with the US Department of Energy, has been providing guidance and support to six Caribbean countries to enable them to better manage radiation sources:

Through an ongoing regional technical cooperation project, and in partnership with the United States Department of Energy (US DOE), the IAEA is supporting the Caribbean region’s efforts toward comprehensive control of radioactive sources and x-ray generators at national level.

From 11 to 15 December 2017, participants from six Caribbean IAEA Member States met to evaluate their progress in developing cradle-to-grave control systems. With the assistance of IAEA and US DOE staff, Member State representatives outlined steps taken to establish national registers of radioactive sources, develop disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS) management policies, implement the Codes of Conduct, and collect, condition, and store DSRS. The Member States also worked to define future actions to be taken during the two remaining project years (2018-2019).

Andrea Andrew, the National Liaison Officer for Antigua and Barbuda, noted “Antigua and Barbuda has benefited tremendously from IAEA membership and more specifically from the technical cooperation programme. Through our close collaboration and cooperation with the Agency, the country has made significant progress in cradle-to-grave control of radiation sources and many other projects.”

Read more in this IAEA news release.