Full Title: Priority Open Recommendations: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Author(s): GAO
Publisher(s): GAO
Publication Date: May 5, 2025
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) needs to take additional actions to enhance the security of radioactive materials while also ensuring the protection of public health and safety. For example, americium-241, including foreign-sourced material, is commonly used for medical, industrial, and research purposes, but there is no disposal pathway for americium-241 from other countries. This situation leaves the material vulnerable to loss, abandonment, and at risk of being stolen for use in a dirty bomb that could result in billions of dollars in socioeconomic damage. We recommended that NRC, in coordination with the Department of Energy, evaluate options and act to better secure americium-241 when the origin is foreign.