Radioactive Material

Radioactive materials are articles or substances that spontaneously and continuously emit certain types of radiation, which can be harmful to health. It can also affect other materials, such as undeveloped photographic and x-ray film. There are both natural and artificial sources of radiation.

Radioactive material is used in many applications, such as in healthcare for diagnosis and treatment, the production of plastics, measurement tools for engineers, smoke detectors, and mobile phones. Several million shipments of radioactive materials are transported every year.

Note that the adoption of IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-6 has given rise to extensive changes in the provisions for radioactive materials. These changes include new requirements for uranium hexafluoride in excepted packages and revisions to the provisions for radioactive materials, excepted packages, and fissile excepted material. For more information, consult Section 10 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

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