DHSS Press Release |
Date: November 1, 2007 DHSS-120-2007 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Reporters Phone: 302-744-4907 |
DPH TRANSFERS LICENSING AUTHORITY FOR SOME RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Effective January 31, 2008, Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) will transfer primary licensing authority for naturally-occurring or accelerator-produced radioactive materials (NARM) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in accordance with the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005. This action expands the federal definition of "by-product material" to include some radioactive materials such as radium-226, which was used to paint glow-in-the-dark instrument dials. The federal law also establishes a nationwide framework for regulating certain radioactive materials previously regulated by the states.
The NRC will assume inspection and enforcement responsibility, while the state will maintain a registration process for all radioactive materials within its borders, for purposes of local accountability and emergency preparedness. Licensees located in or operating within Delaware will be required to maintain a current registration certificate issued by DPH.
Health care providers, research laboratories, teaching institutions and industry depend on radioactive materials for a variety of beneficial uses: to diagnose or treat disease, carry out biomedical research, determine the environmental fate of experimental chemicals, and make physical measurements on manufactured products.
For more information about this program, contact DPH's Office of Radiation Control at 302-744-4546 or go to www.delaware.gov , and enter the word "radiation" into the search engine. Then click on the Office of Radiation Control link.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
