NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-72-090
Recommendation
TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: INITIATE ACTION TO AMEND APPROPRIATE REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE IN REGARD TO THE SEPARATION, IN STORAGE, OF AGGREGATES OF PACKAGES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS, WHEN THE TOTAL TRANSPORT INDEX OF MORE THAN ONE GROUP OF PACKAGES EXCEEDS 50. THE NEW REGULATIONS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED ALONG THE LINES PROVIDED BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY.
Safety Issue and Context
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INITIATED THIS STUDY IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE A RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION INCIDENT INVOLVING A U.S. AIR CARRIER AND TO INVESTIGATE ALL ASPECTS OF THE AIR SHIPMENT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS. THE SAFETY BOARD'S STUDY LED IT TO THE CONCLUSION THAT, AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS CARRIED BY AIR DO NOT NORMALLY CONSTITUTE ANY UNUSUAL RISK OF LIFE TO THE PUBLIC. NEVERTHELESS, AS THE GOVERNMENT RELINQUISHES MORE OF ITS ACTIVITIES TO PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND AS THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY CONTINUES ITS PHENOMENAL GROWTH, THE PROLIFERATION OF THE SYSTEM PRESENTS NEW DEMANDS FOR VIGILANCE IF THE CURRENT MINIMAL RISK TO THE PUBLIC IS NOT TO RISE.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD'S PRIMARY CONCERN IS NOT THE RISKS ENGENDERED BY PRESENT OPERATIONS, BUT RATHER, IT IS THE RISK POTENTIAL CREATED BY THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY.
Response History
August 23, 1972 · Recipient Response · DOT
RECOMMENDATION CONSIDERED VALID AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. ADOPTION OFTHE RELEVANT IAEA PROVISIONS INTO 49CFR WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.