Page 5 - Al-Rashed Newsletter July19

SHIPPING WORLD
RADIOACTIVE AIR SHIPMENTS

Radioactive materials are articles or substances, which continuously emit ionizing
radiation which can be harmful to the health of humans and animals.
This radiation cannot be detected by any human senses ( sight. smell, hearing,
touch or taste) but can only be detected and measured with suitable instruments.

CLASS 7- Radioactive Material
Radioactivity is a part of nature. Radioactive atoms are unstable as they have too
much energy. When radioactive atoms spontaneously release their extra energy,
they are said to decay. All radioactive atoms decay eventually, though they do not
all decay at the same rate. After releasing all their excess energy (radiation), the
atoms become stable and are no longer radioactive. The time required for decay
depends upon the type of atom. Some decay in fractions of a second other in
billions of years.
The majority of radioactive Material transported by Air is for the medical industry,
often for the treatment of cancer patients. Thus it is our firm belief that any medical
radioactive shipment is the most important package traveling by air. Most of the
radioactive isotopes used in medicine have a very short half-life thus any delay in
transport may result in the patient not receiving his/hers potentially life saving
treatment.
There are no sub-division but we have 3 different categories depending on the
power of the Radiation
Category I White - The least powerful radioactive material
Category II Yellow - Medium power
Category III Yellow - The most powerful radioactive

Adnan Qureshi
Source: IATA
Sr. Business Development Manager