RADIATION PROTECTION 677 professional personnel. The Department of Health, Education, and. Welfare will continue as the federal focal point for guidance and assistance to the states with respect to contamination by and biological effects from radiation sources not now under control of the Atomic Energy Commission. It is the policy of the President that the AEC enter into formal agreements with states pursuant to the Act as rapidly as the states and the Commission are prepared to do so. To that end, the Commission will welcome discussions and suggestions relative to the proposed criteria and, later, on the suggested legislative program and regulations. The Commission recognizes that states may now have radiation control programs, based on suitable legislation and appropriate regulations, which would permit early initiation of discussions which could lead to agreements. Such discussions are welcome, Formal comments and suggestions with respect to the proposed criteria should be addressed to Mr. John A. McCone, Chairman, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington 25, D.C. Inquiries about details of the proposed criteria or other aspects of the AEC's Federal-State Relations Program should be addressed to the Office of Health and Safety, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington 25, D.C. 1. OBJECTIVES Protection, Development. A state regulatory program should be designed to protect the health and safety of the people against radiation hazards and to encourage the constructive uses of radiation. RADIATION PROTECTION STANDARDS1 2. Standards. The state regulatory program should adopt a set of standards for protection against radiation. 1/ To give content to all criteria enunciated, there is being prepared a set of suggested state regulations and state legislation. 678 RADIATION PROTECTION 3. Uniformity in Radiation Standards. It is important to strive for uniformity in technical definitions and terminology, particularly as related to such things as units of measurement and radiation dose. There should be uniformity on permissible doses and levels of radiation and concentrations of radioactivity. By uniformity is meant no more and no less than those standards fixed by Part 20 of the AEC regulations. For the past 30 years the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) has been studying the entire area of permissible radiation dose, and during that time has made recommendations on the permissible radiation exposure. AEC's policy has been to follow these recommendations both in its own operations and in developing and administering its regulatory program. The basic radiation exposure standards in 10 CFR, Part 20, represent the legal adaptation of these NCRP recommendations. In addition, it is expected that guidance in the formulation of future radiation standards by Federal Agencies will be provided by the President, on the advice of the recently established Federal Radiation Council. 4. Total Occupational Radiation Exposure. The regulatory authority should consider the total occupational radiation exposure of individuals, including that from sources which are not regulated by it, except exposures to patients for medical diagnosis and therapy. 5. Surveys, Monitoring, Labels, Signs, Symbols. Surveys and personnel monitoring are important in achieving radiological protection and in determining compliance with safety regulations. It is desirable to achieve uniformity in labels, signs, and symbols, and the posting thereof, and it is essential that there be uniformity in labels, signs, and symbols which are affixed to radioactive products which are transferred to others. 6. Instruction. Persons working in or frequenting controlled areas2/ should be instructed with respect to the hazards 2/ "Controlled area" means any area access to which is controlled by the licensee. "Controlled areas" shall not include any areas used as residential quarters, although a separate room or rooms in a residential building may be set apart as a controlled area. RADIATION PROTECTION 679 of excessive exposure to radioactive materials and in precautions to minimize exposure. 7. Storage. Radioactive materials stored in an uncontrolled area should be secured against unauthorized removal. 8. Waste Disposal. In the release or disposal of radioactive materials, certain limited quantities may be safely discharged into the air, water, and sewers, and buried in the soil. These limits should be uniform, and as prescribed in Part 20. Holders of radioactive material desiring to release or dispose of quantities in excess of the prescribed limits should be required to obtain special permission from the appropriate state or federal regulatory authority. 9. Regulations Governing Shipment of Radioactive Materials. The state should promulgate regulations applicable to the intrastate shipment of radioactive materials, such regulations to be compatible with, if not identical to, those established by the Federal Government (AEC, Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Aviation Agency, Treasury Department, (Coast Guard), and Post Office) covering interstate shipment of such materials. 10. Records and Reports. It is essential that holders and users of radioactive materials (a) maintain records covering personnel radiation exposures, radiation surveys, and disposals of materials; (b) keep records of the receipt and transfers of the materials; (c) report significant incidents involving the materials, as prescribed by the regulatory authority and (d) make available, upon request of an individual, data on his exposure. 11. Adaitional Requirements and Exemptions. Consistent with the over-all criteria here enumerated and to accommodate special cases or circumstances, the regulatory authority should be authorized to impose additional requirements to protect health and safety, or to grant necessary exemptions which will not jeopardize health and safety. 680 RADIATION PROTECTION 12. PRIOR EVALUATION OF USES OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS Prior Evaluation of Hazards and Uses, Exceptions. In the present state of knowledge, it is necessary in regulating the possession and use of radioactive materials that the regulatory authority require the submission of information on, and evaluation of, the potential hazards and the capability of the user or possessor prior to his receipt of the materials. This criterion is subject to certain exceptions and to continuing re-appraisal as knowledge and experience in the atomic energy field increase. Frequently there are, and increasingly in the future there may be, categories of materials and uses as to which there is sufficient knowledge to permit possession and use without prior evaluation of the hazards and the capability of the possessor and user. These categories fall into two groups those materials and uses which may be completely exempt from regulatory controls, and those materials and uses in which sanctions for misuse are maintained without pre-evaluation of the individual possession or use. 13. Evaluation Criteria. In evaluating a proposal to use radioactive materials, the regulatory authority should determine the adequacy of the applicant's facilities and safety equipment, his training and experience in the use of the materials for the purpose requested, and his proposed administrative controls. 14. Broad Research and Development Authorizations for Institutions. In authorizing research and development involving radioactive materials, where an institution has people with extensive training and experience, the regulatory authority may wish to provide a means for authorizing broad use of materials without evaluating each specific use. 15. Human Use. The use of radioactive materials and radiation on or in humans should not be permitted except by properly qualified persons (normally licensed physicians) possessing prescribed minimum experience in the use of radioisotopes or radiation. RADIATION PROTECTION 681 INSPECTION 16. Purpose, Frequency. The possession and use of radioactive materials should be subject to inspection by the regulatory authority and should be subject to the performance of tests, as required by the regulatory authority. Inspection and testing is conducted to determine, and to assist in obtaining, compliance with regulatory requirements. Frequency of inspection should be based upon the degree of potential hazard associated with the particular category of use. The more hazardous uses should be inspected at least once each year. More frequent inspections may be required if there is questionable compliance. 17. Inspections Compulsory, But With Minimum Interference. Licensees or permittees should be under obligation by law to provide access to inspection, but should be subject to minimum interruptions to, or interference with, their activities when such inspections occur. 18. Notification of Results of Inspection. Licensees and permittees are entitled to be advised of the results of inspections and to notice as to whether or not they are in compliance. ENFORCEMENT 19. Enforcement. Possession and use of radioactive materials should be amenable to enforcement through legal sanctions, and the regulatory authority should be equipped or assisted by law with the necessary enforcement powers. This may include, as appropriate, administrative remedies looking towards issuance of orders, or suspension or revocation of the right to possess and use materials, and the impounding of materials; the obtaining of injunctive relief; and the imposing of civil or criminal penalties. PERSONNEL 20. Qualifications of Regulatory and Inspection Personnel. Prior evaluation of applicants for licenses or authorizations and inspection of licensees or permittees must be conducted by persons |