Last of Cs-137 irradiators removed from South Carolina

The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration announced that it has successfully removed all cesium-137 irradiators from South Carolina, as the agency seeks to eliminate radiological threats and protect communities.

Cs-137 sources are commonly used to irradiate cellular blood cells prior to transfusion to prevent graft-versus-host disease, where the donated cells view the recipient's cells as an unfamiliar threat. If stolen from a less-secure facility, however, the cesium inside the irradiators could be used to create a radiological dispersal device, commonly referred to as a dirty bomb.

In 2014, the NNSA's Office of Radiological Security launched the Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project (CIRP), which provides incentives to facilities interested in replacing Cs-137 irradiators with safer alternatives, such as nonradioisotopic X-ray devices.

CIRP is a voluntary program that supports the U.S. goal of replacing all cesium-based blood irradiation devices by the end of 2027.

Threat reduction: South Carolina has become the 13th U.S. state or territory cleared of high-risk Cs-137, joining Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Wyoming, according to the NNSA.

The NNSA has been working with facilities throughout South Carolina to remove Cs-137 irradiators through CIRP since 2017.

In addition, the NNSA and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division have worked together since 2023 to prevent the misuse of radioactive materials by strengthening threat response coordination, enhancing radiation detection, and bolstering training.

Quote: "Clearing South Carolina of high-risk radioactive material represents a crucial step in executing NNSA's mission to deny adversary access to dangerous materials that could jeopardize the safety and security of our communities. South Carolina is setting the standard of leadership for securing radiological materials in the United States," said NNSA administrator Brandon Williams.