NRC Seeks to Limit Radioactive Material in Fixed Gauges
August 14, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposed to limit the amount of radioactive material allowed in generally licensed devices, primarily fixed industrial gauges.
The proposed rule was published Aug. 3 in the Federal Register and would require owners of approximately 1,800 devices (an estimated 1,400 general licensees nationwide) to apply for specific licenses for the devices.
Requiring specific licenses for such devices would improve the safety, security and control over the gauges by making it harder to accumulate a risk-significant amount of radioactive material or to procure a device through subterfuge, said the NRC.
Generally licensed devices typically contain radioactive material in a shielded, sealed housing.
Inherent radiation safety features are included so the devices may be safely used by those with no radiation training or experience.
Examples of these devices include gas chromatographs (used in chemical analysis), static eliminators, ice-detection devices and certain in-vitro kits used in clinical or laboratory testing.
Owners of these devices have recordkeeping requirements, but because of the built-in safety features, they do not have to apply to the NRC or a state regulatory agency for a specific license to possess or use the radioactive material.
Restricting Radioactive Material Accumulation
The devices that would be affected by the proposed rule fall into Category 3 or the upper limits of Category 4 of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) categorization of radioactive sources. The U.S. government considers Category 1 and Category 2 sources to be the most sensitive from a security standpoint.
While sources in lower categories are considered less sensitive, the NRC is concerned that a small number of Category 3 or certain Category 4 sources together could be equivalent to a Category 2 amount of radioactive material.
The proposed rule would require specific licenses for devices containing radioactive material equal to or greater than 1/10th of the IAEA's Category 3 level. This requirement would improve NRC monitoring of the location and use of radioactive materials of higher activity and enhance the accountability and control of such devices, according to the agency.
The more stringent requirements of the specific licensing process would minimize the potential for aggregation of radioactive materials to quantities of concern, thereby enhancing the NRC's ability to protect the public.
The proposed rule would also clarify the applicable requirements when a device authorized under a general license is instead held under a specific license.
Public comments are welcome on the proposed rule. Details of how to comment may be found by visiting the Federal Rulemaking web site and searching for Docket ID NRC-2008-0272.
Source: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).