The BIOMASS MethodologySafety Reports Series No. 126 This publication describes the work undertaken by Working Group 6: Biosphere Modelling for Long Term Safety Assessments of Waste Disposal Facilities of the IAEA’s Modelling and Data for Radiological Impact Assessments (MODARIA II) programme (2016–2019). The objective of this publication is to provide updated guidance for addressing the biosphere in undertaking post-closure safety assessments for solid radioactive waste disposal, building on the original BIOMASS methodology published in 2003. The intended audience includes regulators and organizations responsible for assessing and reviewing safety assessments and assessors and modellers involved in a range of radiological studies within the nuclear industry. |
Social and Economic Impact Assessment of Air Quality Monitoring Projects under the RCAThis report evaluates the social and economic impacts of air quality monitoring programmes implemented from 2020 to 2024, supported by the IAEA under the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA). It is one of four thematic assessments examining the application of nuclear science and technology in air quality monitoring, food safety, isotope hydrology and nuclear medicine. Focusing on air quality monitoring, this publication draws on robust evidence from 19 participating State Parties, IAEA administrative data, expert insights, four success stories and a cost-benefit analysis of air quality monitoring initiatives. It highlights how technical cooperation projects leveraging nuclear science and technology on benefits of air quality monitoring have contributed meaningfully to sustainable social and economic development across Asia and the Pacific. This publication not only highlights tangible outcomes but also emphasizes the collective value created beyond what countries could achieve alone. It is a compelling demonstration of science in action—supporting cleaner air, stronger collaboration and lasting regional progress. IAEA/PAT/010, 124 pp.; 36 figures; 2025, English. 0.00 Euro  Full Text, (File Size: 10 KB). |
Coated Particle Fuels for High Temperature Gas Cooled Small Modular ReactorsIAEA TECDOC Series No. 2090 This publication contains the latest information on coated particle fuel technologies and may be used as a baseline reference to support the fuel technologies of high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) small modular reactors (SMRs). The HTGR concept is considered a promising nuclear reactor technology due to its inherent safety and operational features. A typical example of its unique core design is the inert, single-phase coolant (helium gas) coupled with a high-temperature, high-heat capacity moderator (graphite), which allows for a greater response time to core heat up accidents. As HTGRs have the potential to supply high temperature process heat, many other applications such as hydrogen production and electricity generation are also viable. Coated particle fuel technology research programmes have been pursued in several Member States, including the design, manufacturing, characterization, irradiation behaviour and behaviour prediction, accident tests and simulations. This TECDOC is a resource for researchers and for nuclear power plant engineers and operators, fuel technology engineers and designers, and material science engineers. |
Good Practices in the Operation and Maintenance of Low Energy Electrostatic AcceleratorsIAEA TECDOC Series No. 2087 Electrostatic accelerators contribute significantly to activities within various fields of work including basic research, environmental monitoring, climate change, water and air quality, forensics, cultural heritage, agriculture, and development of advanced materials for energy production via fission or fusion. Due to an increase in the analytical as well as irradiation capabilities of electrostatic accelerators, there has been a rapid growth in interest from the industrial sector. Different accelerators have their own physical and technological characteristics, and therefore are targeting specific application areas. This publication provides practical guidance, across a range of functions, on low energy electrostatic accelerator operations and maintenance as well as some considerations for safety-related issues. The intended audience of this publication includes professionals involved in the operation and maintenance of electrostatic accelerators, scientists of different disciplines using electrostatic accelerators for interdisciplinary research applications, and lecturers focusing on physics and engineering aspects in the operation of electrostatic accelerators. |
Data on Freshwater Systems and Off-site Decontamination and Remediation Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident and Comparison with Global ExperienceIAEA TECDOC Series No. 2088 This publication shares the experience gained in the Fukushima Prefecture on environmental transfer data from Japan after the release of radionuclides to the environment from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP (FDNPP). It provides a compilation and analyses of the radioecological information obtained during the cooperation between the IAEA and Fukushima Prefecture between 2012 and 2022. In particular, it examines the behaviour of radiocaesium in freshwater ecosystems and the effectiveness of decontamination and remediation, providing a comparison with global experience. This information is useful for informing the management of areas affected by enhanced levels of radiocaesium after an accidental release from a nuclear facility. |
Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles: Sustainable Clean Energy for the Future (FR22)Proceedings Series This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the topics discussed at the conference. Over 600 experts, engineers, scientists, government officials and advocates were involved in the event, reaffirming the importance and interest in fast reactor technology. There are currently several fast reactors already in operation, with more under construction and innovative concepts under development. Major technical aspects and topics related to fast reactor and fuel cycle technology were addressed at the conference, including advancements in technology, safety, economics, proliferation resistance, and sustainability. |
Information and Computer Security for Activities Involving Radioactive Material and for Associated FacilitiesThe growing use of digital technology in the nuclear field has heightened security concerns around the protection of radioactive materials. This publication offers practical strategies for implementing robust information and computer security measures and it underscores the importance of a tailored, graded approach to meet the specific needs of various facilities and organizations. By presenting the latest best practices and risk mitigation strategies, this publication equips stakeholders with the necessary tools to fortify their digital defences and safeguard radioactive material and associated facilities. IAEA-TDL-013, 6 figures; 2025 ISBN 978-92-0-107925-1, English. 32.00 Euro. Date of Issue: 4/29/2025. Full Text, (File Size: 3386 KB). |
Dosimetry in Brachytherapy – An International Code of Practice for Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories and HospitalsColección de informes técnicos 492 STI/DOC/010/492, 167 pp.; 7 figures; 2025 |
Experiences and Lessons Learned in Managing Severely Damaged Spent Fuel and CoriumIAEA TECDOC Series No. 2085 Between 1979 and 2011, three severe nuclear power plant (NPP) accidents occurred at Three Mile Island (TMI, USA), Chornobyl (ChNPP, Ukraine), and Fukushima Daiichi (IF, Japan), resulting in melted reactor cores. Additionally, PAKs NPP Unit 2 (Hungary) experienced a loss of cooling accident in 2003 during the cleaning of irradiated fuel. The accidents at TMI and PAKs have been remediated to the extent that the material is either in monitored safe storage or is packaged pending processing. ChNPP Unit 4, which was destroyed during the accident, was finally stabilized in 2016 with the installation of new safe containment. The decommissioning of IF NPP remains a major challenge as three of the first-generation reactor cores suffered meltdown. In 2015, the Coordinated Research Project on the management of severely damaged spent fuel and corium was established. This publication examines the efforts of participating Member States in the characterization, recovery, and management of fuel containing materials (fuel assemblies, fuel debris, corium and melted corium-concrete interaction products) to support future decommissioning and environmental remediation activities. It also provides an overview of the loss of cooling accidents and insights into the evolution of corium and fuel debris in storage conditions, which will support ongoing decision-making on the management of these materials. |
Recovery of Uranium from Phosphate OresIAEA TECDOC Series No. 2086 This publication examines the benefits and challenges of recovering uranium from phosphate ores as an alternative to conventional uranium mining. It considers the low cost of uranium extraction from phosphate ores, its potential profitability and discusses the relative speed of equipping fertilizer plants with uranium recovery units (i.e. two to three years), compared with conventional uranium mines, which can take ten years or longer to develop. These issues are examined in detail, alongside supply security and environmental concerns. This TECDOC is intended for policy makers working on uranium supply security; mining and mineral processing experts working on unconventional uranium recovery and/or solvent extraction; and for researchers working on uranium concentrations in fertilizers and potential natural uranium accumulation in agricultural soils. |
Establishing a Training Programme on the Safety Review of Nuclear Installation SitesIAEA TECDOC Series No. 2083 This TECDOC provides practical guidance to Member States interested in embarking on new nuclear programmes. It contains good practices from capacity-building training programmes implemented by the IAEA and several experienced Member States, and captures lessons learned from current practices and experiences. As a handbook, it is intended to support managers and technical personnel within regulatory bodies and operating organizations in their preparation for developing their own capacity-building programmes for regulatory safety reviews. |
Artificial Intelligence in Medical PhysicsColección cursos de capacitacion Nº 83 IAEA-TCS-83, 36 pp.; 1 figures; 2025, Spanish. Date of Issue: 4/22/2025. |
Combating Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Other Radioactive MaterialIAEA Nuclear Security Series (Russian ed.) 6 STI/PUB/1309, 172 pp.; 23 figures; 2025 |
Waste Minimization During the Life Cycle of Nuclear Power PlantsIAEA TECDOC Series No. 2091 Nuclear power plants (NPPs) are designed to ensure minimal waste arising during operation, and waste management processes further ensure that radioactive waste is managed safely and cost effectively. Although safety requirements for waste management need to be fulfilled unconditionally, the implementation of cost-efficient processes depends on the individual radioactive waste management (RWM) and spent fuel (SF) management policies adopted in a particular Member State. This publication provides end-users with useful technical information regarding waste minimization at NPP operations and examines typical waste inventories and minimization methodologies. It additionally explores solutions for optimizing the minimization of waste and evaluating RWM practices. |
Regulatory Enforcement Policy Development and ImplementationIAEA TECDOC Series No. 2089 Regulatory enforcement is a core regulatory function and an important aspect of the regulatory oversight of nuclear facilities and activities. IAEA Safety Standards Series Nos. GSR Part I (Rev. 1) and GSG-13 provide requirements and recommendations for establishing and implementing enforcement policy. However, the lessons identified from various IAEA expert missions, peer reviews and regulatory conferences have revealed inconsistencies in the understanding, development and implementation of effective enforcement policies by regulatory bodies, highlighting the need for specific guidance on regulatory enforcement. The objective of this TECDOC is to assist regulatory bodies in developing and implementing an enforcement policy and process in line with the IAEA safety standards. It includes practical guidance from regulatory bodies with relevant experience and provides recommendations for enhancing enforcement actions in line with effectiveness, efficiency, and consistency. Additionally, it provides methods for evaluating the significance of non-compliances using a graded approach and applying the appropriate enforcement actions. This publication is intended for regulatory bodies, technical support organizations and competent authorities responsible for the oversight of nuclear facilities and activities. |