Disposal of radiation sources

Disposal requirements for irradiating apparatus

This includes X-ray equipment, linear accelerators and handheld XRF units.

The apparatus must be rendered inoperative before disposal. This means:

• it must not be practicable to restore the unit so that it can produce X-rays (for example, by removing or puncturing the glass tube within the X-ray head, or removing or destroying key components in the X-ray generator)
• radiation warning labels (for example, trefoils) must be removed or obliterated so that they can not be mistaken for radiation sources.

Once these requirements have been met, the apparatus can be considered scrap and disposed of accordingly.

Disposal of hazardous materials in irradiating apparatus

Additional disposal conditions and requirements may apply if: 

• the x-ray tube contains hazardous material (for example, x-ray tubes with beryllium windows; some pre-1979 tubes with cooling oil containing PCBs), or
• if the device contains radioactive material (for example, an accelerator containing activated components. Refer to Code of Practice for Unsealed Radioactive Material: ORS C11 for rules around the disposal of these materials.

Disposal of radioactive material

• It is ORS policy that sealed radioactive material is returned to the manufacturer or supplier for disposal. Note an export consent is required.
• Disposal of unsealed radioactive material should be done in accordance with Code of Practice for Unsealed Radioactive Material: ORS C11 2020.

Notification of disposal

You must notify the Office of Radiation Safety of any disposal of registered controlled sources, as required under Section 31(c)(iii) of the Act. Find more information on how to notify changes to a registered source. 

Questions on disposal of radiation sources

If you have questions or concerns relating to the disposal of radiation sources, please contact [email protected].

Note: The ARIA programme (Assessment and Recovery of Radioactive Instruments and Articles) is available for eligible historic radioactive instruments and articles found in our community.