What’s that Placard? Tracking Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials in Oregon
Authorized and permitted carriers transport radioactive materials in Oregon regularly, including low-radioactivity waste destined for out-of-state disposal, or small amounts for various industries or medical uses. Certain shipments of radioactive materials – depending on the radiation levels and if a carrier uses its vehicle to haul other materials – require information signs called placards. Oregon statutes require carriers of all radioactive placarded shipments to also obtain a state permit to safely transport through Oregon.
The Oregon Department of Energy is the permitting authority for these shipments, but is authorized to and delegates this authority to the Oregon Department of Transportation, as ODOT can effectively track compliance with permitting regulations through the agency’s ports-of-entry. The Oregon Department of Energy’s Radioactive Material Transport Program also supports training and preparation for first responders in the event of an emergency or incident with the shipments.
Earlier this month, ODOE published its annual report for the program, outlining the 260 shipments of placarded radioactive materials that moved through Oregon in 2021; over half of the shipments in the last year traveled along Interstate 84. As in recent years, there were no transport accidents that resulted in spillage or injury from radioactive materials in 2021.
“Most shipments in Oregon pose little risk to the public,” said ODOE Nuclear Emergency and Radioactive Material Transportation Program Coordinator Mark Reese. “All of the containers used in the transport of radioactive materials are specialized, approved containers for safety, and the companies involved in this type of work are required to submit to inspections by trained ODOT inspectors at any time while on Oregon roadways.”
In 2021, there were no transportation incidents that resulted in spills or injury, but the Oregon Health Authority’s Radiation Protection Services Division did receive and respond to 61 other transport alerts, ranging from routine information notifications to requests for an in-person response. For example, a waste alarm at a facility in the Portland area alerted staff to radioactive materials found in residential trash. RPS personnel determined the sources were long-lived radioactive materials used for medical therapy in the 1930s and 1940s.
The Oregon Department of Energy partners with the Oregon Health Authority’s RPS division to provide radiological training to first responders and emergency room personnel so they know how to respond in the event of a radiological emergency. RPS provides basic and advanced response courses, and serves as subject matter experts for Oregon’s law enforcement, fire service, hazardous materials response teams, and private industry. While we hope we never need to put the response practices into action, we know Oregon’s responders will be ready.
Visit ODOE’s Nuclear Safety and Emergency Preparedness Program on our website or dive into the 2021 Radioactive Materials Transport report to learn more.
