Train
Transporting Radioactive  Material
Radioactive material can be transported by truck, train, plane or ship.

   •   The shipment of radioactive material has been regulated since 1939.

   •   Shipping routes for radioactive materials are picked very carefully and shipments are tracked.

   •   Markings on containers and vehicles explain the contents of each package using standard terms and
       codes.

About Transporting Radioactive Material

Every day, radioactive material is used in medicine, power generation, research and product quality testing. In
order to meet these needs, radioactive material is shipped from one location to another. Special packaging,
labeling and training are necessary to keep routine radioactive material transportation safe and to reduce
exposure in case of an accident.
Regulations for the transport of radioactive material were started by the Postal Service in 1939. Since then,
strict packaging and shipping rules have been put in place to keep radioactive materials from spilling, even if
there is a bad accident.
For added safety, shipping routes are picked very carefully and shipments are tracked. Operators transporting
radioactive shipments must be trained in basic radiation science and in radiation emergency safety.
Markings and labels on packages, casks and transportation vehicles
are important aspects of the transport of radioactive materials.
Safety and training practices maintain controlled handling and
packaging of spent nuclear fuel so that it cannot harm workers, the
public or the environment. Highly radioactive wastes and spent
nuclear fuel must be shipped in specially designed barrel-like
containers called casks. To ensure safety, casks undergo a series of
extreme tests, such as:

   •   A collision with an immovable object such as being dropped
       30 feet onto reinforced  concrete.

   •   Being dropped 40 inches onto a steel spike.

   •   Being burned in a hot (gasoline) fire for 30 minutes.

   •   Submersion in water for eight hours.
You can see videos of example cask tests on the Sandia National
Laboratory website'.
Markings are designed to provide an
  explanation of the contents of a
package by using standard terms and
            codes.
  United States Environmental Protection Agency |  Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608T)  | EPA 402-F-14-025 | August 2014  | | p. 1

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Rules and Guidance
THE STATES
Each state has a radiation protection program. The states also control the transportation of hazardous
materials within their borders.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)
DOT oversees the safety and security of hazardous materials during shipping. It has rules for shipping by
highway, rail, air and sea. DOT'S Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHM) writes these rules. DOT works
with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to keep shipments safe.
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC)
NRC protects the public from radiation from U.S. nuclear reactors, materials and waste facilities. NRC works
with DOT to set safety rules for shipping radioactive material.  NRC oversees the design and use of special
packaging for shipping radioactive materials.  DOT oversees safety during the actual shipping.  DOT and NRC
shipping rules are in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)
DOE ships high-level hazardous waste, including spent nuclear fuel. DOE staff plans and arranges for the
shipments.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE (USPS)
USPS sets limits on mailing hazardous  materials, including radioactive materials. The limits apply to highway,
rail  and air shipments.
U.S. FEDERAL AVIATION ASSOCIATION (FAA)
FAA enforces regulations set by DOT for radioactive materials transported by air within the United States.
U.S. COAST GUARD (USCG)
USCG is responsible for the safe transportation of radioactive materials by sea. USCG also develops and
promotes regulations and standards for industry use.

What you can do
Strict rules about packaging and shipment of  radioactive material keep the risk to the public very small.
If radioactive materials have been released from a transportation accident or broken packaging:
    •   Follow instructions from the responders on the scene of the accident.
    •   Stay away from the area.

Where to  learn more
You can learn more about transporting radioactive material by visiting the resources available on the following
webpage: http://www.epa.gov/radtown/transporting-material.htmltflearn-more.
 http://www.sandia.gov/tp/SAFE RAM/SEVERITY.HTM
  United States Environmental Protection Agency | Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608T) | EPA 402-F-14-025 | August 2014 |  p. 2

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