A recent operation led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) successfully secured two barrels of radium-226 found abandoned at a Ministry of Health facility in Fiji. Discovered in September 2024, the barrels, which had been left outside without adequate protection, presented serious potential health risks due to their radioactive contents, which can remain hazardous due to radium-226’s long half-life of approximately 1,600 years.
The IAEA’s assessment found that the barrels had suffered extensive corrosion but were still intact enough for safe recovery. Over a week, the IAEA, in partnership with Niowave, a specialized American pharmaceutical company, worked to recover and transport the radium-226 for recycling in the United States. This operation falls under the IAEA’s Global Radium Management Initiative, which aims to safely manage and repurpose legacy radioactive sources like radium-226, previously utilized in medical treatments for cancer.
Before their removal, the barrels were housed in a facility that lacked a roof and other protective measures, exposing them to the elements for nearly a decade. The recovery team conducted thorough risk assessments to ensure that radiation levels remained safe during the operation. The team carefully repackaged the capsules of radium-226 into a designated transport container, confirming that there was no radioactive contamination on the exterior of the container to protect public health during transport.
The planned shipment back to the United States is significant as it will allow for the repurposing of radium-226 in the production of actinium-225, an isotope increasingly used in targeted cancer therapies. This move not only addresses the immediate safety concerns in Fiji but also holds the potential to enhance medical treatment options, representing a positive step in the ongoing battle against cancer.
Fiji’s Ministry of Health has acknowledged the history of radium-226 use in treating various cancers, underlining the importance of responsible management of such substances. With the nation’s commitment to improving health outcomes and safety standards related to radioactive materials, this operation marks a critical advance in managing disused medical isotopes responsibly. It demonstrates a hopeful outlook for enhanced collaboration between Fiji and international organizations to ensure public safety and effective healthcare advancements.
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