Scrap metal recycling is an increasingly
international industry. Since the United States imports
millions of tons of scrap metal, semifinished metal, and
metal products each year, it is important to ensure that
this metal is not contaminated with radioactivity.
Is there a problem with radioactive foreign scrap metal
coming into the United States?
With the breakdown of the economy and controls at nuclear
facilities in the former Soviet Union and increasing cross
border trade, the potential for contaminated metals to enter
the international steel supply is increasing. In some cases,
radioactive scrap metal from foreign facilities is manufactured
into intermediate or finished products before export to
the U.S. For example, a steel fabrication plant in Mississippi
detected small amounts of radioactive contamination in steel
plates imported from Bulgaria.
Fortunately, incidents are isolated and the radiation
that has been detected in imported metals to date has not
been at levels that are considered dangerous (that is, levels
below the threshold requiring Superfund action). However
there is always the possibility that more highly contaminated
materials could be exported to the U.S. and EPA is working
on several approaches to prevent its entry into the U.S.
EPA is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency
to and other Federal agencies ensure that a consistent standard
is applied for all materials released internationally. This
will facilitate the goal of protecting the US public against
contaminated material from foreign countries.
Through the IAEA, EPA is collaborating with representatives
of other industrialized countries to develop international
radiological screening guidelines to ensure that metals
will not contain harmful levels of radioactive contamination.
In September, 1998, EPA participated in an international
conference organized by the IAEA regarding international
radiological screening guidelines. The guidelines, may be
used as protective clearance levels for various radionuclides
in scrap metal. Although the IAEA recommendations will be
voluntary, many countries are concerned about radioactively
contaminated metal. Thus, EPA anticipates broad adoption
of the IAEA recommendations.
When finalized by IAEA, these guidelines will form the
first of three protective barriers against the potential
for radioactively contaminated metal imports. The second
barrier is formed by US Customs officials who use radiation
detection equipment to screen incoming materials. The final
barrier is formed by the detection equipment used by scrap
metal recyclers to screen incoming shipments of metal.
