ML19211C568
| ML19211C568 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/27/1979 |
| From: | Minogue R NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT |
| To: | Dingell J, Hart G, Moffett T, Udall M HOUSE OF REP., GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, HOUSE OF REP., INTERIOR & INSULAR AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REP., INTERSTATE & FOREIGN COMMERCE, SENATE, ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS |
| References | |
| RULE-PR-32 NUDOCS 8001130116 | |
| Download: ML19211C568 (3) | |
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The Honorable Gary Hart, Chairman Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, D.C.
20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Enclosed for tne information or the Subcommittee are copies of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to be published in the Federal Register and a public announcement.
The proposed amendments to Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 32 would apply to " gas and aerosol detectors" that contain radioactive material and are designed to protect life or property from fires and airborne hazards.
Smoke detectors, usually containing americium-241, are part of this general class of detectors, and are extensively distributed to homeowners and other users of the product but not regulated by the NPC at t%. point of use.
One of the licensing requirements for this product is the labeling or marking of the device such that the manufacturer and the radioactive material can be identified.
It has been common practice for manufacturers or distributors to place the label inside the detector cover.
This labeling practice has resulted in severe criticism of a regulatory program that does not make it clear to a prospective purchaser, in advance cf purchast, that the smoke detector contains radioactive material.
The proposed amendments would recuire labeling of the external surfaces of both the smoke detector and the point-of-sale packaging, if the device is packaged individually.
The required labelir.g information on both the smoke detector and package would be:
(1) the name of the radionuclide and the quantity of activity, and (2) a statement indicating that the detector contains radioactive material which presents no si0nificant hazard to health if used in accordance with the instructions.
Additionally, an 1 'entification of the manufacturer or distributor would be required en the smoke detector itself.
Licensees would be allowed a time period oi 6 months to conply with these labeling requirements for the manufacture and packaging of r ew detectors.
In addition, the proposed regulations weuld not require any stctement on the label that the user return the device to tnc manufacturer or distributor for disposal at the end of its useful life.
A statement to this effect h3s often teen included in present labeling practices.
Hewever, it is believed that users
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NOV 2 71373 The Honorable Gary !! art 2
of smoke detectors are li
., ;o ignore this recommendation and discard these products into ordinary house old trash.
Analysis of the consequences of such disposal into ordinary wast -
ystems indicates that this does not result in a safety problem (on file in ;r>
NRC's Public Document Room under SECY-78-492, IONIZATION TYPE SMOKE DETECTORS, dated September 17, 1978).
The proposed amendments will have a 45-day public comment period after publication in the Federal Register.
A public announcement will be issued.
Sincerely, Original signed by G. A. ArW,to
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NOV 2 0 1979 Robert B. Minogue, Director Office of Standards Development
Enclosures:
1.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 2.
Public Announcement cc:
Sen. Alan Simpson R.B. Minogue G.A. Arlotto R.J. Jones J.J. Henry C.M. Bridgers, EDO (2)
J.M. Felton, DRR CA (3 copies)
ELD Central Files PDR Docketing and Service Branch, SECY Task No.:
TP916-1 Identical letters sent to the attached mailing }ist.
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'11/14/79 11/,2//79 1738 016
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. MAILING LIST The Honorable Gary Hart, Chairman Subcommittee on Nuclear Regulation Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, D.C.
20510 cc:
Sen. Alan Simpson The Honorable Morris K. Udall, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515 cc:
Rep. Steven Symms The Honorable John D. Dingell, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and Power Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515 cc:
Rep. Clarence J. Brown The Honorable Toby Moffett, Chairman Subcommittee on Environment Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Government Operations United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515 cc:
Rep. Paul N. McCloskey, Jr.
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