The Office of Radiological Security (ORS) makes the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous by eliminating the risk of a radiological dispersal device, or any other malicious use of radioactive material. Where radioactive material is still needed, ORS works with industry, law enforcement, and other government organizations to prevent adversaries from acquiring and using high-activity radioactive material by providing cutting edge technologies and capabilities to partners.
Enhancing Global Radiological Security
Every day in the United States and around the world, vital industries like oil and gas, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical research use radioactive material to save lives, fuel progress, and strengthen competitiveness. However, a single incident of radiological terrorism anywhere in the world would have severe economic consequences, create setbacks for the growing demand for peaceful uses of nuclear technologies, and undercut U.S. companies leading innovation in these critical industries.
To accomplish its mission, ORS: 1) Eliminates risk by removing high-activity radioactive material and when necessary, replacing this material with safer non-radioactive-source-based technologies; and 2) Prevents adversaries from acquiring radioactive material by developing technologies and capabilities while strengthening industry, law enforcement, and government partnerships.
- Eliminate: ORS works to permanently retire risk by eliminating high-activity radioactive material that industry no longer needs. In the United States, ORS manages the Off-Site Source Recovery Program, which retrieves and disposes of disused radioactive sealed sources. Internationally, ORS collaborates with partners to repatriate U.S.-origin radioactive sealed sources and supports partner country efforts to remove disused sources to a secure location. To learn more about NNSA’s recovery of disused and unwanted radioactive sources or to register your devices with NNSA for recovery, please click here. When necessary and possible, ORS will replace these materials with safer, more secure advanced technologies. One replacement incentive program is the ORS Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project (CIRP) , which directly supports the replacement of U.S. cesium irradiators with alternative technologies.
- Prevent: Where material cannot be eliminated, ORS works with industry, law enforcement, and other government organizations to prevent adversaries from acquiring and using radioactive material by providing cutting edge technologies and capabilities to partners. This includes partnering with stakeholders to improve cybersecurity, insider threat mitigation, transportation security, and response force engagement.
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