672 RADIATION PROTECTION The law also reserves to the AEC authority to license the distribution of certain devices and types of equipment containing byproduct, source or special nuclear material. The General Manager of the Atomic Energy Commission has assigned to the agency's Office of Health and Safety the task of providing guidance to the states in making arrangements for agreements between the states and the Commission for control over radioactive materials. Attachment - 30 21. Conditions Applicable to Special Nuclear Material 22. Special Nuclear Material Defined ADMINISTRATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISCONTINUING AEC JURISDICTION 24. State Agency Designation 25. 26. Existing AEC Licenses and Pending Applications 27. Execution, State Certification, AEC Finding, Publication RADIATION PROTECTION PROPOSED CRITERIA FOR GUIDANCE OF STATES AND THE AEC OVER BYPRODUCT, SOURCE, AND SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIALS AND THE ASSUMPTION THEREOF BY STATES Introduction 675 These proposed criteria are being developed to implement a program, authorized by P.L. 86-373, which was enacted in the form of an amendment to the Atomic Energy Act and approved by the President on September 23, 1959. Under provision of this Amendment, when an agreement between a state and the AEC is effected, the Commission will discontinue its regulatory authority over byproduct material (radioisotopes) and source material (uranium and thorium) and also over special nuclear material (Uranium 233, Uranium 235 and plutonium) of less than a critical mass. An agreement may be effected between a state and AEC: (1) upon certification by the Governor that the state has a program for the control of radiation hazards adequate to protect the public health and safety with respect to the materials within the state covered by the proposed agreement and the state desires to assume regulatory responsibility for such materials; and (2) the AEC makes a finding that the state program is compatible with the Commission's program for the regulation of such materials, and is adequate to protect the public health and safety with respect to the materials covered by the proposed agreement. After discussions with various state officials and representatives of organizations of state officials, the Atomic Energy Commission drafted proposed criteria, as set forth below, to provide assistance to the states in developing a regulatory program which is compatible with that of the AEC. The criteria are being circulated among states, federal agencies and other interested groups for comment, prior to formal adoption by the Commission. 676 RADIATION PROTECTION In cooperation with representatives of the states and the staff of the Council of State Governments, the Commission is also preparing suggested state legislation and radiation regulations as additional assistance to the states in achieving compatibility of their programs with that of the AEC, as provided by the Amendment. Uniformity in standards is essential in avoiding inconsistencies and difficulties in different jurisdictions which may hinder the atomic energy program or jeopardize the health and safety of the public. The proposed criteria recommend that the state authority consider the total accumulative occupational radiation exposure of individuals. To facilitate such an approach, it is the view of the AEC that an over-all radiation protection program is desirable. The maximum scope of each state's radiation protection program is not, however, a necessary or appropriate subject for coverage in the criteria. Consequently, they are silent on the question whether a state should have a total regulatory program covering all sources of radiation including those not subject to control by the AEC under the Atomic Energy Act, such as X-rays, radium, accelerators, etc. To assist the states in developing radiation control programs the AEC will provide training for state personnel, including: (1) an on-the-job training program for orientation and experience in licensing, compliance and enforcement functions and in field inspections; (2) intensive courses in health physics (of 10 to 12 weeks) in Commission facilities; and (3) formal training through health physics fellowship programs and a program designed for special assistance to states in radiation control (both programs cover an academic year of study as well as practical experience in health physics at Commission facilities The Commission training programs are being coordinated with those of the U.S. Public Health Service. The PHS offers training courses and training assistance in the field of radiological health. The radiological health training program conducted by the PHS provides intensive technical courses for professional public health personnel. The graduate training program of the PHS, wherein state health agency personnel or PHS officers assigned to these agencies receive university training in radiological health, also provides trained |