How often must a physical inventory of sealed sources be conducted?

The frequency of conducting a physical inventory of sealed sources is implemented to ensure proper tracking and management of radioactive materials. Monthly inventories strike a balance between maintaining safety protocols and operational efficiency. Conducting these inventories ensures compliance with regulatory standards, enhances accountability, and reduces the risk of loss or misuse of radioactive sources.

While daily inventories could theoretically catch discrepancies more quickly, they may be impractical and unnecessarily burdensome for most facilities. Yearly or even weekly checks could lead to longer periods where sources could go unaccounted for, increasing safety risks. Therefore, monthly inventories are considered the standard practice to maintain effective oversight while also being manageable for staff. It combines regular surveillance with reasonable operational demands.