In coordination with the Radioisotopes Subcouncil to the Nuclear Government Coordinating Council (NGCC) and Nuclear Sector Coordinating Council (NSCC) , National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is collaborating with the private sector to enhance the security of blood and research irradiators that use Cesium Chloride sources (Cs-137). The purpose of the program is to install upgrade kits on existing irradiators to significantly increase the time needed for unauthorized source removal and to modify existing product lines so that new devices incorporate the upgrades. Vulnerability analyses were conducted on the products, and engineering upgrade kits were fabricated to increase the delay time for removal of the radioactive sources.

Irradiators currently in use are being upgraded on a voluntary, risk-based determination basis, and irradiator manufacturers have agreed to include the delay features on all future product lines.