Missing or Stolen?

Have you ever wondered what happens to nuclear or other radioactive material around the world if it is lost or stolen? The IAEA hosts a database that compiles information on incidents such as trafficking and other related unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material. The Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) was established in 1995 and includes updates from 145 participating countries that maintain the database and keep it up to date. Information is exchanged on a voluntary basis.

“The ITDB encompasses a range of activities, from the smuggling and sale of nuclear material to unauthorized disposal and the discovery of lost radioactive sources,” says Scott Purvis, Head of the Information Management Section in the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security.

Since the database was launched three decades ago, over 4000 incidents have been reported, approximately eight per cent of which are confirmed as acts related to trafficking or malicious use. Most reported incidents are not related to any malicious intent or threat to sealed radioactive sources. These incidents primarily involve various types of material recovery, such as the discovery of uncontrolled sources, the detection of material disposed of in an unauthorized way and the detection of inadvertent unauthorized possession or shipment of nuclear or other radioactive material, including radioactively contaminated material.

On average, over 100 incidents within the scope of the ITDB are reported annually, including thefts, losses and missing items. The majority of such incidents involved radioactive sources used in industrial or medical applications. In general, devices containing radioactive sources may attract the attention of potential thieves, as they may be perceived to have a high resale or scrap metal value. During the period 1993–2023, only four per cent of the reported thefts were subsequently confirmed to have been related to the trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material.

Incidents reported to the ITDB involve various radioactive materials, including uranium, plutonium and thorium, as well as naturally occurring and artificially produced radioisotopes and radioactively contaminated material.

“Knowledge about such incidents enables countries, and even regions, to learn from them. It also enables authorities responsible for nuclear security to establish and enhance systems and measures to protect against theft and better detect and respond to illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material,” adds Purvis. “We encourage all countries to report incidents to ITDB systematically”.

The Netherlands has participated in the ITDB since 1995 and regularly shares information regarding incidents detected through its nuclear detection infrastructure. “As a basis for regular reporting of incidents we have a solid detection infrastructure, and clear lines are in place for reporting after detection,” says Emina Salihovic, alternate ITDB point of contact (PoC), of the Netherlands’ Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection.

The ITDB has amassed a huge volume of information to learn from and help further strengthen the global nuclear security regime. "Through regular reporting to the ITDB, we are able to gain insights into the regional and global trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material, which is relevent for national and global security," says Salihovic. 

Although the number of incidents involving the most concerning types of nuclear material from a nuclear security perspective has decreased significantly over the last two decades, attempts to illegally trade various nuclear and other radioactive materials are still recorded. In addition, transport-related incidents account for more than 50 per cent of all thefts, which highlights the importance of strengthening transport security measures.

Regular communication with the 145 participating countries through a network of national PoCs is critical to the ITDB. The IAEA reviews all reported incidents with a view to identifying common threats, trends and patterns; assisting countries in determining what actions may need to be taken with respect to particular events; helping formulate policy to combat the illicit trafficking of such materials; and supporting the IAEA’s nuclear security activities.

Another fundamental function of the ITDB is to promote the exchange of information regarding pertinent nuclear security incidents among participating countries. Information about reported incidents is disseminated to national PoCs, as well as to a selected group of personnel at the IAEA and relevant international organizations. This shared information can aid authorities in identifying and recovering lost or stolen material, informs national capabilities for detection and response and, in some cases, facilitates the linking of related cases.

The IAEA plays a central role is helping countries strengthen nuclear security, and the sharing of information through the database contributes to this vital goal. The ITDB’s detailed data is confidential and can only be accessed by participating countries and relevant international organizations, such as the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL.