INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF SEALED RADIATION SOURCES

The characteristic environmental conditions under which sealed radiation sources are utilized industrially were delineated by on-site surveys conducted at 57 representative plants, comprising 18 different industry categories. Potential abnormal environments to which sealed sources might be subjected were also evaluated for each industry. In connection with establishing parameters for safety performance tests for normal environments, the feasibility of accelerated test procedures was evaluated. Observed normal environmental conditions were evaluated as not posing a serious threat to the integrity of most sealed sources used industrially. Potentially possible abnormal environmental stresses, principally fire or explosion, were judged to be more likely to induce source failure, although the probability of such incidents is low in the usual industrial application. (auth)