own
USA
Radioactive Materials
Transported by Freight Train
Because we cannot predict transportation accidents, strict packaging requirements are used in the shipment of
radioactive material to assure that even if there is an accident, radioactive material spills or releases do not
occur. Extremely rigorous requirements apply for the shipment by rail or highway of radioactive material,
such as high-level radioactive waste including spent nuclear fuel. Requirements include specially-designed
casks to assure the integrity of the container under all circumstances including the forces that it would likely
experience in a train collision and derailment. Due to the nature of transporting radioactive material, the
shipment routes are chosen with careful consideration, the shipments are tracked either electronically or on
paper, and the drivers are trained in both general and emergency radiation safety measures.
Radioactive materials have been shipped in the United States for more than fifty years. Each year, roughly
three million packages of radioactive material are carried through the United States by trucks, trains, boats,
barges and airplanes. This material is in many forms, including pharmaceuticals, industrial gauges, laboratory
materials, and low-level, high-level, and transuranic radioactive wastes. While the chances of a transportation
accident are small, an accident can result in expensive cleanup or unnecessary exposure to radioactive
material to workers or the public.
Who is protecting you
The States
In the United States, each state has programs on radiation protection and on the transportation of hazardous
materials within states' borders.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT oversees transportation safety and security requirements by highway, rail, air and sea. DOT's Office of
Hazardous Materials Safety (OHM) issues regulations on the shipment of hazardous materials. Title 49 of the
Code of Federal Regulations defines and classifies hazardous materials, outlines safety procedures for
shipping, and provides strict specifications for containers and packaging of the hazardous materials.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
The NRC is responsible for protecting the public from the effects of radiation from nuclear reactors, materials,
and waste facilities. Regulating the safety of transported radioactive material is the joint responsibility of the
NRC and the Department of Transportation (DOT). The NRC oversees the design and use of special
packaging for shipping radioactive materials.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE is responsible for the shipment of high-level hazardous waste, including spent nuclear fuel. This entails
planning and arranging for the transportation of this material.
U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
The USPS establishes restrictions on the shipment of hazardous mail including radioactive material for
highway, rail and air.
United States Environmental Protection Agency | Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J)
EPA 402-F-06-031 | April 2006
www.epa.gov/radtown/freight-train.html
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RadTown USA
What can you do to protect yourself
Stringent rules apply to the transportation of radioactive materials and special packaging is required for the
shipment of radioactive material. With these rules and safety measures, the risk to the public is very small.
If you do suspect radioactive material may be potentially released from a transportation accident or breeched
packaging, there are three basic ways to limit unnecessary exposure:
• Time: Limit the time spent around the radiation source.
• Distance: Increase distance from the radiation source.
• Shielding: Increase the shielding from a radiation source with protective barriers such as walls and
buildings. Alpha radiation can be effectively shielded with something as thin as a piece of paper or
plastic bag, while gamma radiation requires barriers as thick as lead-lined walls.
Resources
You can explore this radiation source further through the resources at the following URL:
http://www.epa.gov/radtown/freight-train.htmltfresources
We provide these resources on-line rather than here so we can keep the links up-to-date.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J) | EPA 402-F-06-031
April 2006
www.epa.gov/radtown/freight-train.html
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