Nuclear Back End Webinar Series 5.1 - Radium-226: From Legacy Waste to Life-Saving Isotope – Global Collaboration in Action
The purpose of this webinar is to?inform Member States, stakeholders, and technical experts about the current status of the IAEA’s Global Ra-226 Management Initiative, highlight achievements to date, and discuss the next steps in promoting the safe, secure, and beneficial recycling of disused Ra-226 sources for medical applications.Building on the insights shared by recipient and provider countries, the webinar aims to:Strengthen international collaboration by connecting countries with disused Ra-226 sources to those with capabilities for recycling and Ac-225 production.Encourage regulatory and technical harmonization to facilitate smoother transboundary movement of Ra-226 sources, addressing challenges in packaging, transport, and licensing.Expand the network of participating Member States by showcasing successful case studies and IAEA support mechanisms.Promote capacity building and knowledge exchange, especially for countries with limited infrastructure, through targeted training, technical cooperation, and expert missions.Support the development of sustainable supply chains for Ac-225 to meet growing global demand for Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT).Enhance safety and security protocols for the characterization, handling, and transference of Ra-226 sources, ensuring alignment with international standards.Foster innovation and research in nuclear medicine applications using Ac-225, encouraging Member States to explore clinical and industrial opportunities.The IAEA seeks to convey that the Global Ra-226 Management Initiative is not only a waste minimization effort but a strategic opportunity to transform legacy radioactive materials into life-saving medical isotopes through global cooperation.Webinar Agenda (Total Duration: 90 minutes)Opening RemarksSpeaker: Director, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology (NEFW)Duration: 5 minutesContent: Welcome, objectives of the webinar, and the importance of international cooperation in Ra-226 recycling.Session 1: Recipient Countries – Experience and PerspectivesDuration: 30 minutesFormat: 7.5?minutes per country presentationModerator: [Tahar HAMIDA]Featured Countries & Speakers:Australia (AdvanCell):?[Mr. Andrew Burgoyne]Presentation Title:?AdvanCell: Future Plans to Unlock 228Th for 212Pb from 226RaCanada (CNL):?Mr. Richard DufourPresentation Title:?Helping Radium-226 provider countries remove a liability while advancing healthcare worldwide.USA (Niowave):?Mr. William PetersPresentation Title:?Niowave’s Global DSRS Radium RecoveryUSA (U.S. Department of Energy):?Mr. John NeuhofPresentation Title:?U.S. Department of Energy's activities in Ra-226 recycling for medical isotope ProductionFocus: each speaker will share their organization’s experience in receiving and recycling Ra-226, technical capabilities, and contributions to Ac-225 production for cancer therapy.Session 2: Provider Countries – Contributions and ChallengesDuration: 30 minutesFormat: 7.5 minutes per country presentationModerator: [Tahar HAMIDA]Featured Countries & Speakers:Brazil (CDTN):?Mr. Rogério Pimenta Mour?oPresentation Title:?The Brazilian experience of Radium-226 transference.Guatemala (MEM):?Mrs. Mayra VillatoroPresentation Title:?The administrative and technical challenges of Radium-226 transference.Philippines (DOST):?Mr. Ronald E. PiqueroPresentation Title:?IAEA support to recover and prepare the Radium-226 for transference.Slovenia (ARAO):?Mr. Marko KostanjevecPresentation Title:?Transport challenges of Radium-226Focus:?Speakers will present their country’s role in providing disused Ra-226 sources, challenges faced in characterization, packaging, and transfer, and lessons learned.Session 3: Q&A and Closing RemarksDuration: 25 minutesModerator: [Mr Juan Carlos Benitez Navarro]Q&A (20 minutes): Open floor for participants to engage with speakers, ask questions, and share insights.Closing Remarks (5 minutes): Summary of key takeaways, next steps in the initiative, and appreciation for Member State contributions.ModeratorsJuan Carlos BENITEZ-NAVARRO: Senior Technical Experts - IAEATahar HAMIDA: Consultant - IAEA