The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reported in a press release on Sept. 10 that it has completed its removal of all cesium-137 irradiators from the Sunflower State. The agency said this has greatly improved the safety of Kansas residents and marks the 11th state and territory of the U.S. which is now considered free of cesium irradiators.
“By clearing out these irradiators across the nation, NNSA is making significant progress toward eliminating radiological risk and securing communities across the United States,” said Teresa Robbins, NNSA’s acting administrator and DOE’s acting under secretary for Nuclear Security. “We are proud to add Kansas to the growing list of states that have eliminated cesium irradiators.”
The NNSA said that irradiators that contain cesium-137 can be used for medical devices that conduct blood treatment and cancer research. The radioactive material can also pose a significant health risk if it is stolen and could potentially be used in the construction of a “dirty bomb.” These devices are a mix of explosives and radioactive powder or pellets that are designed to spread radioactive material around the blast area, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Members of an NNSA team removed the last cesium irradiator from the University of Kansas Medical Center in the summer of 2025. This move was part of a voluntary program that incentivizes organizations to swap cesium irradiators with safer alternatives.
“Thanks to our partnership with NNSA and the resources, support, and expertise they provided, we were able to eliminate the last Cs-137 from the state of Kansas,” said Paul Toler, senior associate vice chancellor for Research Administration at the University of Kansas Medical Center. “This makes our community safer, while simultaneously advancing the university’s research mission for the benefit of the citizens of the state of Kansas.”
The NNSA said that removing cesium irradiators allows medical staff and researchers in Kansas to operate at much lower radiological risk. You can learn more about the cesium irradiator replacement project by clicking here.
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