Radioactive materials in steel scrap

During the past two decades numerous incidents occurred in steel works, where large-scale radioactive sources have been melted down by mistake, thus causing high financial losses (decontamination, loss of production, shut-down of plants) and in some cases, even people have been exposed to considerable dose rates of ionizing radiation. This paper describes very briefly the actual problems of radioactive contaminated steel scrap and finished steel products. In order to protect themselves against the consequences of melting down of undetected sources, all Croatian steel works and foundries must become also familiar with this problem and try promptly to resolve it. Multistage frame work regarding the quality control of steel scrap is proposed: inspection of the imported scrap - at borders, inspection of the scrap in the scrap treatment plants - at scrap suppliers, incoming inspection of the scrap - in steel plants and foundries. For solving the whole problem, activities were suggested, which should include the analysis of actual legislative in European countries, especially in determination of the maximum allowed value of radionuclides in steel scrap as well as the adjustment of acceptable value in finished steel products according to requirements of the international market (so called business limits).