Radioactive sources are used around the world, in medical clinics, industrial plants, research laboratories, farms and cropland. Radioactive sources are present in almost all countries in the world, and if properly managed, they confer countless benefits to society. However, any incomplete management of radioactive sources may expose the public, professionals or the environment to the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
The proper management of disused radioactive sources is a subject of the utmost importance to the IAEA, its Member States and its strategic partners. In cooperation with the European Commission, the IAEA is working to strengthen source management practices in Africa.
In October 2015, with the financial support of the European Commission, the IAEA conducted a mission in Madagascar to help national counterparts to implement the best strategies to manage Madagascar's inventory of disused radioactive sources. Different management options were provided, depending on the nature of the sources, which are categorised as high activity (categories 1-2) or lower activity (categories 3-5). The national inventory of sources was also updated, and the Malagasy government is now able to take appropriate source management decisions based on infrastructure, human resource availability and the volume of disused sources.
