Fact sheet
In Western Australia the Radiation Safety Act 1975 and the Radiation Safety (General) Regulations 1983 apply to non-exempt radioactive substances for both medical and industrial uses. The responsibility for the safe use of radioactive substances lies with each owner under the guidance of the Radiological Council, an independent statutory authority appointed under the Act.
For all matters that deal with registration and licensing of radioactive substances for medical and industrial uses please contact the Radiological Council.
For information about the radiation risks associated with pregnancy the following document may be of assistance Radiation and Pregnancy (PDF 218KB).
Smoke detectors
Typical household smoke detectors may either exist as non-radioactive photoelectric type devices or else may contain less than 1µCi (40kBq) of Americium 241 (241Am or Am-241). This can be confirmed by reading the yellow label inside the detector. The possession of Am-241 in smoke detectors is exempted from the usual restrictions placed on radioactive materials provided that the smoke detectors comply with the relevant Australian Standards, contain less than 40kBq of Am-241 each and that the total amount of Am-241 on the premises does not exceed 100MBq (more than 2500 smoke detectors).
With regard to questions about the disposal of smoke detectors or smoke alarms containing small amounts of radioactivity, the Radiological Council has recommended that the disposal of individual or small numbers of smoke detectors be conducted via normal household rubbish.
If you have a large number of smoke detectors to dispose of, or if they are the older industrial type that may contain more than 1µCi (40kBq) of Am-241 or any other radioisotope, please contact the Radiation Health Branch.
Radioactive exit signs
Exit signs that contain a quantity of the radioactive gas tritium may exist in small numbers throughout the community and are no longer approved for public buildings. For advice on replacements for these sings contact your local government authority.
Radioactive exit signs are safe to handle and can be removed by any person but care must be taken to prevent breakage i.e. the signs should not be levered from their position or twisted. As these signs are no longer within their useful life, the Radiation Health Branch should be contacted for information about safe disposal.
For more information please contact the Radiation Health Branch on (08) 9346 2260
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