ARPANSA’s CEO, Dr Carl-Magnus Larsson has issued a licence to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to operate the ANSTO Nuclear Medicine Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) Facility (the ANM Facility).

The ANM Facility is intended for the extraction and purification of Mo-99 from uranium target plates that have been irradiated in ANSTO's Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL) reactor.

Mo-99 is the parent isotope of technetium-99m (Tc-99m). Tc-99m is a medical isotope used for diagnostic imaging of cancer tumours and undertaking organ function studies such as in cardiac and renal imaging.

The ARPANSA-issued licence authorises ANSTO to commission the ANM Facility using OPAL irradiated target plates.  A number of conditions will have to be fulfilled before routine production can be authorised, including a thorough analysis of the results of the commissioning tests.

The assessment of the ANM application and ‘licence to operate’ decision takes into account the safety of the facility, including its design, construction and operating procedures. It is also informed by advice from the Nuclear Safety Committee (NSC) and by international best practice.

"An important consideration in the decision was the management of radioactive waste," says Dr Larsson.

"The ANM Facility leads to generation of intermediate level waste, or ILW. ANSTO must by mid-2020 report on the generation, storage and treatment and disposal of ILW to ARPANSA. This report must take into account policy and plans for a national system for full life-cycle management of radioactive waste."

The newly issued ‘licence to operate’ for the facility follows two previous licence decisions: in October 2013, Dr Larsson issued a licence to ANSTO to ‘prepare a site’ for the facility and in June 2014, he issued a ‘licence to construct’ the facility.

The facility is located at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre in New South Wales.

You can read the detailed statement of reasons and the regulatory assessment report for the newly issued licence to operate the ANM Facility below.

• Regulatory Assessment Report (RAR) - ANM Operations
  
  
  Regulatory Assessment Report (RAR) - ANM Operations
• Statement of Reasons (SOR) - ANM Operations
  
  
  Statement of Reasons (SOR) - ANM Operations

ARPANSA invited comments from the public in relation to all applications. Two public meetings were held, the most recent in June 2017 in the Engadine Community Centre, Sutherland Shire. A submission in relation to the application was received from Medical Practitioners Against War (MAPW). The statement of reasons also discusses MAPW’s submission.

• MAPW - Submission to ARPANSA June 2017
  
  
  MAPW - Submission to ARPANSA June 2017
  
   

On Monday 26 February 2018 a report by the CEO of ARPANSA, Dr Carl-Magnus Larsson, was tabled in Parliament addressing the radiation exposure of a worker at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Health radiopharmaceuticals production facility at Lucas Heights.

The report provides an overview of an accident that led to the contamination of a worker at ANSTO Health on 22 August 2017. The accident occurred during a routine quality control procedure and caused radiation exposure of the analyst’s hands. Tissue reactions that subsequently developed on the worker’s hands are compatible with a radiation dose about 40 times higher than the statutory annual equivalent dose limit to the skin.

ARPANSA classified the exposure as a ‘serious incident’ corresponding to Level 3 on the International Radiological and Nuclear Event Scale (INES). The INES scale ranges from zero (with no safety significance) to 7 (major accident).

Dr Larsson found ANSTO in breach of section 30(2) of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 for failing to comply with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 1999, specifically regulation 46 (in relation to measures to prevent accidents) and regulation 48 (in relation to dose limits). Further regulatory enforcement actions may still be considered.

ARPANSA has requested ANSTO to implement changes to internal processes to prevent a similar event reoccurring. ARPANSA is monitoring ANSTO’s implementation of these changes and has shared information on the event with Comcare.

The report was tabled in Parliament on Monday 26 February 2018, and can also be found below.

Report to parliament: Radiation exposure of a worker at ANSTO Health, Lucas Heights on 22 August 2017

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, which has no smell, colour or taste. It comes from the radioactive decay of radium, which is present in small amounts in rocks and soil. As a gas, radon can easily escape from the ground into the air where it can be inhaled.

The inhalation of radon and its progeny is recognised as a cause of lung cancer. However tobacco smoking is the main cause of lung cancer both globally and in Australia.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) have re-evaluated how they estimate lung cancer risk for exposure to radon progeny and doubled its estimate of risk from exposure.

Following the ICRP’s re-evaluation, we have published an advisory note on the new dose coefficients for radon progeny to guide you through what has changed.

You can find the ARPANSA Advisory Note – New dose coefficients for radon progeny: impact on workers and the public on our Radon webpage.

Studies carried out in Australia indicate that doses assessed from inhalation of radon progeny for workers in the uranium mining industry and in show caves will increase by a factor of two or more from current assessments with the new dose coefficients. These studies indicate that the default values of new ICRP dose coefficients would be suitable for regulatory and radiation protection purposes in Australian underground mines and show caves.

Surveys have shown that radon levels in Australian homes are low. The overall risk for lung cancer from radon in the Australian population is very small. However, there is evidence that smoking leads to a strong enhancement of the radon-related lung cancer risk. The best way of reducing the total lung cancer risk, as well as the lung cancer risk from exposure to radon, is to avoid tobacco smoking.

In 2017, we published the Guide for Radiation Protection in Existing Exposure Situations which includes guidance for managing exposure to radon in homes and workplaces. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the radon concentration levels in your home you can order one of our radon monitors or find your location on our radon map.

We have a commitment to good regulatory practice, so each year we self-assess our performance as a regulator. We’re doing better every year. You can now read our self-assessment for the last financial year, 2016-17.

Part of our business is to regulate the safety and security of radiation sources, facilities and nuclear installations, owned or operated by Commonwealth entities. So it’s important we also conduct a yearly review of how we are doing as a regulator.
This was the second formal assessment of ARPANSA against an agreed, common set of performance measures outlined in the Government Regulator Performance Framework.
In the self-assessment, we performed ‘very good’ for all performance indicators, apart from one ‘good’ rating. These ratings were an improvement on the 2015-16 assessment.
Highlights included:
• Good communication with the entities we assess
• Risks are well managed
• We are open and transparent in our dealings
• We contribute to the continuous improvement of regulator frameworks.
To read the 2016-17 self-assessment in more detail visit our Regulator Performance Framework page.

We are hiring for the position of Chief Regulatory Officer and Head of Regulatory Services Branch.

The Chief Regulatory Officer and Branch Head, Regulatory Services is responsible for setting and maintaining professional standards for the branch and for aligning the branch business plan with ARPANSA’s Policy for ARPANSA’s Regulatory Activities and Corporate Plan.

The occupant of the role will be directly responsible for ARPANSA’s actions in the areas of facility safety (including nuclear installations), source safety and security, safety systems, and the national uniformity program. The occupant will establish and sustain strong collaborative arrangements with other branches and offices within ARPANSA. The occupant will also establish productive relationships with licensees and other stakeholders, including the public and relevant bodies in relation to licensing of major facilities.

The Regulatory Services Branch is the driver for maintaining and enhancing a radiation protection, and nuclear safety and security, regulatory framework for Commonwealth entities using or producing radiation, guided by national policies and international best practice. It is also a key driver for establishing a national regulatory framework across all jurisdictions, in collaboration with state and territory regulators.

Activities of the Regulatory Services Branch include regulatory assessment and review, licensing, compliance, inspection, enforcement, advice and information. It also issues import and export permits for radioactive material, and supports the role of ARPANSA during nuclear and radiological incidents and emergencies. The Branch maintains the Australian Radiation Incident Register, and enhances its outreach through establishing whole of Australian Government relationships and through the facilitation of the Nuclear Safety and the Radiation Health Committees.

If you think you might be interested, or want to find out more about the position, don't hesitate to contact us on 03 9433 2298.

The full position description and application instructions can be found on our Careers page.

Our ultraviolet (UV) radiation charts help you find out what the UV index is at our measurement sites and what time the UV index will be at its highest.

The UV monitoring network was upgraded earlier this year to give you a more reliable service and provide a network that is capable of being expanded in the future.

In our latest update we have improved the functionality of our charts to improve loading times, and to allow you to save a default location.

Selecting ‘Make this my location’ saves the current location so that when you return to our website you will see your preferred chart location.

The 'Make this my location' feature uses cookies that are saved to your device. Select 'Clear my location' if you would like to clear your default location. The cookie will be deleted from your device when you select 'Clear my location'.

Depending on your browser you may need to refresh you cache for the upgrade to take effect.

We are always improving our services to deliver a high quality user experience. If you would like to provide feedback you can contact us.

Assistant Minister for Health the Hon Dr David Gillespie MP today attended a ceremony to recognise the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) as a SunSmart workplace.

Until now, Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart program has only recognised schools and early childhood centres that meet its guidelines for sun protection policies and practices. ARPANSA is being recognised as a ‘SunSmart workplace’ for its commitment to protect staff from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

As part of its commitment, ARPANSA will educate and train staff and contractors to encourage better workplace sun protection. This includes using available sunscreen and shade.

Speaking at the launch at ARPANSA’s Yallambie site in Melbourne today, Dr Gillespie said it was important workplaces recognise the risks of UV radiation.

“Each year, more than 200 melanomas and 34,000 other forms of skin cancer are diagnosed as a result of UV damage in the workplace, yet we know most of these cancers could have been prevented with proper measures in place,” Dr Gillespie said.

“As the Australian authority in UV radiation, it’s great to see ARPANSA taking a leading role in recognising UV risks, and acting to make sure its workers are protected.”

ARPANSA CEO Dr Carl-Magnus Larsson was pleased the agency could show leadership for other Australian workplaces.

“Becoming a SunSmart workplace is important to us because we’re encouraging safe sun practices at work. Staff spend a significant amount of time outdoors here at ARPANSA and during field work, so it is really important our organisation approaches sun safety seriously. We’re also keen to model this behaviour to influence all Australian workers.”

Cancer Council Victoria Prevention Director Craig Sinclair said it was fitting and timely, ARPANSA was recognised as a SunSmart workplace this week being National Skin Cancer Action Week – an initiative of Cancer Council and the Australasian College of Dermatologists

“The SunSmart message isn’t just for kids. We want to make sure every Australian, no matter their age, is taking steps to protect their skin outdoors,” Mr Sinclair said.

“We’re pleased to be able to recognise ARPANSA’s commitment to skin cancer prevention, and we hope it will serve as a reminder to other workplaces to take a look at their own UV policies.”

As well as being recognised as a SunSmart workplace in its own right, ARPANSA is working with Cancer Councils nationally to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention and help Australians understand UV radiation.

ARPANSA’s work in UV radiation includes maintaining a national real time UV monitoring network with stations in capital cities and regional areas. This provides critical data for the Cancer Council’s SunSmart app. ARPANSA also maintains an accredited UV laboratory, which provides testing of clothing, sunglasses and shade cloth. The accreditation means ARPANSA’s testing has competence, impartiality and integrity, and there are stringent processes and procedures in place to ensure testing is true and accurate.

Consumers can find ARPANSA’s swing tags on items like shirts and hats, which indicate the product has been tested and complies with Australian sun-protective clothing standard.

Radioactive ruthenium detected in the air throughout Europe in late September 2017 poses no risk to the health of people or the environment.

Trace levels of ruthenium-106 have been detected on air monitoring networks throughout most of Europe. ARPANSA and other international organisations have modelled air movement and estimate the origin of the release to be in the Ural Mountains, in a region between Russia and Kazakhstan.

Rutheniun-106 has a half-life of 374 days.  After one year only half would remain. Ruthenium-106 is typically produced by nuclear fission and is found in nuclear reactors. It’s used in medicine for cancer radiation therapy and has been used to power satellites.

The origin of the ruthenium-106 is still unknown. A nuclear power plant accident can be ruled out because such accidents release many different kinds of radionuclides. Only ruthenium-106 was detected.

ARPANSA modelling of air movement predicts that ruthenium-106 from this event will not be detectable in Australia. ARPANSA continuously monitors the air for radioactive material throughout Australia as part of the global Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty network. 

The chance of imported food being contaminated is very low and would pose no risk to health if consumed. Similar advice has been issued in Europe.

Our 2016-17 Annual Report was tabled in parliament on Wednesday 18 October 2017.
The Annual Report informs parliament, stakeholders and the community how we have enabled protection of the Australian people and environment from the harmful effects of radiation during the last financial year.

The 2016-17 year was a mammoth year for ARPANSA, which saw many changes and initiatives implemented, adding value to the Australian community.
We administered licences for radiation sources and facilities used and operated by Commonwealth entities, with ARPANSA's CEO, Carl-Magnus stating in his foreword, ‘we continue to promote good safety culture among our licence holders.’

ARPANSA also continued to deliver important radiation monitoring, testing, calibration, hire and training services to the Australian community, stakeholders and industry. Carl-Magnus stated, ‘over the course of the year we have successfully promoted radiation protection of workers and the public though our services.’

Highlights of ARPANSA's achievements include:

• Commenced a self-assessment against international standards
• Built on the Talk to a Scientist program
• Created a new brand and website
• Implemented a best practice consultation approach
• Transitioned the Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service (ACDS) to a new service model and compliance
• Recorded more workers’ radiation doses by expanding the Australian National Radiation Dose Register (ANRDR)
• Made the Personal Radiation Monitoring Service (PRMS) more efficient
• Improved the Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) services section

Read the full ARPANSA 2016–17 Annual Report for more details.

This week Melbourne hosts an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regional Workshop on the Revised Safety Requirements in Emergency Preparedness and Response.

The workshop brings technical expertise from Asia and Oceania IAEA member states to discuss how well we’ve gone in implementing our national emergency preparedness and response frameworks.

The workshop will also look at revised concepts and approaches recommended in the revised IAEA safety requirements set out in Preparedness and Response for a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency (IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 7).

ARPANSA will also host a workshop on Friday 6 October at our Yallambie office to discuss the progress on the development of Australian guidance for emergency exposure situations. This guide will:

• help first responders and other workers preparing for and responding to a radiological or nuclear emergency 
• provide guidance on exposures to members of the public and the environment affected by a radiological or nuclear emergency.

For more information on emergency preparedness and response and ARPANSA’s role, visit Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Response.