In 2024, 147 incidents of illegal or unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material were reported to the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB), a number aligned with the historical average. The new data released by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently underlines the need for continued vigilance and improvement of regulatory oversight for security of nuclear and other radioactive material.
Out of 147, three incidents reported in 2024 were likely related to trafficking or malicious use, and there was insufficient information to determine the intent of 21 other incidents. Furthermore, 123 incidents were not connected to trafficking or malicious use but most likely resulted from unauthorized disposal, unauthorized shipment or the discovery of radioactive material.
In 2024, the number of incidents involving manufactured goods, such as used pipes, contaminated with radioactive material increased. “This indicates the challenge for some countries to prevent the unauthorized disposal of radioactive sources, and at the same time, it confirms the efficiency of the detection infrastructure,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security.
All types of nuclear material – including uranium, plutonium and thorium – as well as naturally occurring and artificially produced radioisotopes, and radioactively contaminated material such as scrap metal are included in the ITDB. The ITDB receives information on incidents involving illegal possession, attempted sale and smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material, as well as unauthorized disposal and the discovery of lost radioactive sources. A total of 4390 incidents have been reported since 1993.
International cooperation for nuclear security
One of the key functions of the ITDB is to encourage information sharing on relevant nuclear security incidents. Last year’s incidents were reported by 32 of the 145 ITDB participating States.
“Incident reports submitted by participating countries to the ITDB over the past 30 years have strengthened global efforts to combat illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control,” Buglova said. “Analysing information in the ITDB provides, among others, insights to the types of material involved, nuclear security threats at regional level, as well as trends.”
In the last decade, about 65 per cent of all thefts reported to the ITDB have occurred during the authorized transport of nuclear and other radioactive material. These materials are typically transported by road, rail, air and waterways for various applications in health, industry and scientific research. “Data from the ITDB highlights the ongoing importance of strengthening transport security measures and overall, the regulatory control for the security of radioactive sources,” Buglova said.
