The Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS) encountered unattended radioactive sources and industrial X-ray devices at the abandoned premises of Adis B.V., a bankrupt company in Ridderkerk. As this unsafe situation posed a direct environmental risk, the information was shared with the insolvency practitioner and the ANVS made it clear that immediate action was required. The insolvency practitioner did not have the expertise to do so. We therefore applied administrative coercion to be able to take action ourselves. The insolvency practitioner cooperated and the situation has since been secured.
Unattended sources and devices
After having reached out to the insolvency practitioner, the DCMR Rijnmond Environmental Protection Agency notified us in late September 2025 of the potential presence of radioactive sources at the former premises of Adis B.V. The environmental agency asked that the ANVS contact the insolvency practitioner. The ANVS subsequently sent inspectors to visit the site on 2 October 2025.
Items found in storage included the following:
A radioactive source of the selenium-75 isotope
An empty container which previously held a radioactive iridium-192 source
Multiple industrial X-ray tubes and devices
These sources and devices were not being managed or secured in accordance with legal requirements. For example, there was no human or electronic monitoring, which is mandatory for radioactive sources of this type. Additionally, the details on site did not match the information known to the ANVS.
Immediate measures required
The lack of monitoring meant there was a risk of unauthorised persons accessing the radioactive source or X-ray devices and potentially creating an unsafe situation. Exposure to such radiation sources can have serious health effects. The ANVS therefore chose to apply administrative coercion. This made it possible for the ANVS to implement measures to secure the situation. The work was done by a specialised company.
Situation now secure
The radioactive source has been sealed and transferred to a suitable storage facility. The X-ray devices have been rendered inoperable and the associated components stored securely. They cannot be used. The site is no longer a risk to people or the environment.