Orphan source

The term "orphan source" generally refers to a source which poses sufficient radiological hazard to warrant regulatory control, but which is not under regulatory control because:
• It is in an uncontrolled condition that requires removal to protect public health and safety from a radiological threat
• Controlled or uncontrolled, but for which a responsible party cannot be readily identified.
• Controlled, but the material's continued security cannot be assured.
• In the possession of a person, not licensed to possess the material
• In the possession of a State radiological protection program for the sole purpose of mitigating a radiological threat because the orphan source is in one of the conditions described in one of the first four bullets and for which the State does not have a means to provide for the material's appropriate disposition
See also: Directive on the control of high-activity sealed radioactive sources and orphan sources