Local agency urges compliance with ionising radiation safety standards

The Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA) is closely monitoring facilities that utilise ionising radiation materials in their operations, to ensure the highest standard of safety and regulatory compliance.

Addressing a JIS Think Tank on Wednesday, February 7, director general of the HSRA, Dr Cliff Riley, explained that while “the ionising radiation sources that we look at are not very high risk, they [can] pose some risk to human health … if they are not utilised effectively or if there is overexposure”.

As such, he said, the authority has “put systems in place to regulate the various entities that are using ionising radiation sources, while ensuring the safety and reduction of unintended exposure to the different forms of this radiation”.

Ionising radiation is a type of energy released by atoms in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people are exposed to natural sources of ionising radiation such as in soil, water, and vegetation, as well as in human-made sources such as X-rays in medical devices.

Ionising radiation has many beneficial applications, including in medicine, industry, agriculture and research, and as its use increases, so does the potential for health hazards if not properly used or contained.

The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act of 2015 and Regulations of 2019 mandate the HSRA to protect people, property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.

To ensure that facilities remain compliant with the regulations, the HSRA has a team of inspectors who carry out frequent checks, whether planned or unplanned.

Dr Riley is imploring entities to take proactive measures to implement best practices to safeguard their operations and the surrounding environment.

“We are encouraging persons within Jamaica who are utilising different ionising radiation sources, primarily X-ray generators and radioactive materials, to go through the process of complying with the regulations as enacted by law to ensure your facilities are duly authorised to be in possession of and use those sources,” he urged.

The director general noted that compliance with the law and adopting best practices ensures effective use of the ionising radiation sources for socio-economic development.

He noted that ionising radiation is used in key industries such as agriculture, security and mining.

“Alumina companies play a major role in economic development and there are advanced technologies that these entities utilise to identify different sources of alumina and other essential minerals,” he pointed out.

For further information on the regulatory guidelines, persons may reach out to the HSRA by calling 876-632-4289 or send an email to info@hsra.org.jm.

Additional information can also be found on the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce’s website at https://www.miic.gov.jm/content/hazardous-substances-regulatory-authorit....