In a targeted assessment aimed at boosting nuclear safety standards across Central America, a team of international nuclear inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has wrapped up a four-day official review of Belize’s systems for overseeing radioactive materials, wrapping up work on June 4, 2026.
The inspection mission was launched at the formal request of Belize’s Department of the Environment (DOE), and aligned with both the country’s domestic regulatory requirements laid out in the 2020 Radiation Safety and Security Act, and its binding global commitments under the IAEA’s Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.
Over the course of their visit from June 1 to 4, IAEA specialists collaborated alongside locally certified DOE staff to conduct on-site inspections at multiple facilities nationwide that store disused sealed radioactive sources. These materials, though no longer in active use, retain radioactive properties that demand rigorous, controlled storage and handling to prevent harm. The joint evaluation team closely examined existing storage infrastructure and operational protocols, ultimately compiling a set of targeted recommendations for both immediate upgrades and long-term systemic improvements.
Radioactive sources play a critical role across three major sectors of Belize’s economy: agricultural research and testing, construction quality assurance, and medical diagnostics and treatment. However, once these sources reach the end of their operational lifespan, inadequate management can create severe, long-lasting threats to public health and surrounding ecosystems, making consistent regulatory review a high priority for national and international safety bodies.
In response to the IAEA’s preliminary findings, the Belizean DOE announced it is moving forward with developing a national strategy and formal action plan to standardize safe storage practices for disused radioactive materials. A key near-term priority outlined by the department is the identification and development of a centralized national storage facility, while longer-term policy and infrastructure planning proceeds in parallel. Belizean authorities are also currently arranging a follow-up IAEA inspection mission specifically focused on reviewing progress toward the establishment of this new centralized storage site.