International Standard to combat nuclear trafficking

摘要

MEASURES TO COUNTER ILLEGAL trafficking of radioactive material have been given a boost by a new International Standard for instruments used in detection and monitoring at borders and any type of control point where people or goods are checked. In the hands of terrorists, radioactive materials can be used for malicious purposes, such as the building of nuclear weapons, or they may be smuggled by criminals for gain. Even without malicious or criminal intent, radioactive materials may have serious negative health and safety consequences on workers, the general public and the environment. In view of the proliferation threat and the potential hazard of radioactive materials, the scrupulous monitoring of traffic and commodities is critical. Published by ISO (International Organization for Standardization), ISO 22188:2004, Monitoring for inadvertent movement and illicit trafficking of radioactive material, will enable the more efficient use of equipment used to identify radioactive substances, provide a common technical base for countries to establish monitoring activities at their borders that will help detect and counteract the illicit trafficking in radioactive materials, as well as facilitating communication between them on such issues.