Forensic Storage Bags for Radioactively Contaminated Samples

The collection, documentation, and transportation of contaminated material are sensitive and time consuming processes. Samples collected from nuclear related incidents complicate the process further. Proper packaging of technical nuclear forensic (TNF) samples is critical to maintaining the integrity of the forensic samples and provide barriers against the radiation emitted from nuclear samples. Currently, radioactive forensic samples are collected from nuclear incident sites into plastic containers. These plastic containers are not adequate to store and transport radioactive samples because forensic attributes of the TNF samples may be affected by the ionizing radiations. Therefore new packaging systems for TNF samples are sought by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). In the proposed Phase I effort, Materials Modification Inc. will develop a flexible packaging system optimized for use with TNF samples and compatible with radioactive material handling, nuclear facilities, and evidence packaging requirements. The TNF storage bag will be built using a multi-layered radiation stable and chemically resistant materials. The packaging materials used will not outgas volatile organic compounds during transport and storage and will not disturb the chemistry of the TNF samples collected. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The technology as developed can be extended to many other applications, such as low-level radioactive waste storage, radioactive material transport, chemotherapy-drug decontamination and disposal, meat/fish/food product storage, air/water filtration, protection against toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and toxic industrial materials (TIMs).