ML19224D156
| ML19224D156 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 05/08/1979 |
| From: | Libassi F HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES, DEPT. OF |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19224D154 | List: |
| References | |
| ACRS-SM-0130, ACRS-SM-130, NUDOCS 7907110007 | |
| Download: ML19224D156 (15) | |
Text
-.
. w.
'Q ;..;
.. /e. T.
- .' w.4 -:-: -- i e -. *
..~4~.
- :4 '
'~s.
- ~*.
~"Y s,
1.
TESTIMONY F. PETER LIBASSI GENERAL COUNSEL, OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTl1, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
- E BEFORE 4+.
SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY, NUCLEAR FROLIFERATION AND FEDERAL SERVICES 3
MAY 8, 1979 9,*
P c
J
-i 0cr1 9,%.0 11. 1
-i gc3 259 356
-., y,-~
-: : e :..
,.-se g 1,. t.. pn,v.~.n e. a.
_ ~ ~. --..~ = ~ ; m." ::~ ' ' ' ~
- ..s y.
e',- * $,. ;.e
..,. ;. e, r
'. Ib %. u-
.. [
c.1. b, [-
r
.,.2.
~
3.-
s MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, I AM PETER LIBASSI, GENERAL COUNSEL OF HEW AND CHAIR OF THE INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE ON IONIZING RADIATION.
ACCOMPANYING ME IS DR. DONALD FREDRICKSON, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL IN ITUTES OF HEALTH, WHO IS OVERSEEING THE DEPARTMENT'S RADIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.
ALSO PRESENT THIS MORNING ARE REPRE-
'I SENTATIVES OF THE OTHER A3ENCIES ON THE TASK FORCE --
THE DEPARTMENTS OF DEFENSE, ENERGY AND LABOR, THE ENVIRON-hENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION,
}
THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, AND THE FOOD AND DRUG
~?
ADMINISTRATION.
THE TASK FORCE, CONVENED BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, HAS CONDUCTED A COMPREHENSIVE
[
REVIEW 0F FE.nERAL RADIATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDING AN EXAMINATION OF THE INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VARICUS AGENCIES IN THIS FIELD.
THE GROWING PUBLIC
-I CONCERN ABOUT THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION
{!-,
HAS RESULTED IN A CAREFUL EVALUATION BY THE TASK FORCE
'f 0F OUR CURRENT INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO PERFORM RESEARCH INTO THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION AND TO PROTECT THE WORKERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM THE EFFECTS OF RADIATION.
WE HAVE TRIED TO
-i S
259 357
e
,9
_r
' ~
i
'h L. ~,JL.*;>...,.: ? P.. E. :. : ' :-. '
.::. :. Y...L-^
^
n:.
~.
~.
BUILD ON THE VERY HELPFUL REPORT OF THIS COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL REGULATION, VOL. V, REGULATORY ORGANIZATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT REPORT ON FEDERAL REGULATION OF RADIATION HEALTH AND SAFETY:
ORGANIZAINAL PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE REMEDIES CONTAINING THE COMMENTS ON THESE ISSUES BY OUTSIDE GROUPS.
ON APRIL 17, 1979, l' GRAFT REPORT ON b.STITUTIONAL
~ '
ARRANGEMENTS WAS RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR A 30 DAY PERIOD.
I PLAN TO SUMMARIZE THE REPORT THIS MORNING AND TO SUBMIT THE FULL REPORT INTO THE RECORD.
THE
.L OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS TASK FORCE REPORT ARE DESIGNED T0:
o FACILITATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATION:
o IMPROVE AGENCY EFFECTIVENESS:
o CLARIFY AND STRENGTHEN AGENCY LEADr.RSHIP: AND o
INCREASE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERN-MENT'S ACTIVITIES INVOLVING IONIZING RADIATION.
3.
THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE JUST THAT --THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE MEMBERS.
THEY ARE NOT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CAZ! NET OFFICERS OR AGENCY HEADS.
THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE WHITE HOUSE WILL BE CONTAINED IN THE FINAL REPORT TO THE r.HITE HOUSE.
e
--......,,y,.sy,.-.---v...;~,-
e.r
- - - -25.9>N.EC
~ ~ ~. _- '.
^
.,. w :.: u.:.. x..... :..,....... a.'
.. ?
.::. a :',..::..
~
_3_
RESEARCH AGENCY ACTIVITY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN A MAJOR SOURCE OF SUPPORT FOR RADIATION RESEARCH IN THIS COUNTRY, WITH THE I
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY THE PRIMARY AGENCY SPONSORING THIS RESEARCH.
IN FY '78, DOE SUPPORTED SIXTY-THREE PERCENT
~
OF ALL THE FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH (P.'48.1 MILLION) ON 4
THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RADIATION,WHICH INCLUDES EPI-
~~
DEMI 0 LOGICAL, EXERIMENTAL AND PATHWAYS STUDIES.
DOE FUNDED 78% OF THE FEDERAL RESEARCH ON THE HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF RADIATION, ALMOST HALF 0F WHICH WAS TO CONTINUE e
A LONG TERM STUDY OF THE ATOMIC BOMB SURVIV0RS IN JAPAN.
SEVENTY PERCENT OF DOE'S RESEARCH WAS PERFORMED AT THE NATIONAL LAB 0F.ATORIES AND 30% BY UNIVERSITIES OR OTHER RESEARCH INST!"JTIONS.
. ~.
HEW FUNDED 20% ($15.3 MILLION) 0F THE RESEARCH AS
).-
PART OF ITS HEALTH RESEARCH BUDGET.
MOST OF THESE FUNDS WtRE SPENT ON EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH AND WERE DISPENSED BY THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) 0F THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH).
EIGHTY-SEVEN PERCENT OF NIH-SUPPORTED RESEARCH WAS PERFORMED AT UNIVERSITIES OR MEDICAL RESEARCH FACILITIES AND 10% WAS PERFORMED AT DOE'S NATIONAL LABORATORIES.
259 359
,.,,.. _. -...,..,......,.,,....s.m
h '.
- v. : s. 6.:. 3..:._... i :. '.-s
.1.
~
' 5: 2.:
,'c. ( -
_q.
OTHER AGENCIES WITHIN HEW THAT FUNDED RESEARCH WERE THE BUREAU OF RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH (BRH) 0F FDA AND THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH) WITHIN THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC).
l AT THE DIRECTION OF THE CONGRESS, HEW IS ESTABLISHING
}
A COMPREHENSIVE RADIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM AND IS INITI-ATING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 0F ALL FEDERAL RESEARCH IN THIS AREA.
THIS EFFORT IS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DR.
rREDRICKSON, WHO HAS REQUESTED THAT THE OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES ASSIST HIM IN CARRYING OUT THIS ASSIGNMENT.
OTHER AGENCIES SUPPORTING A SMALLER PORTION OF THE RADIATION RESEARCH INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION.
~'
TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
.5
')
THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS THE CREATION OF AN INTER-AGF.NCY RADIATION RESEARCH COMMITTEE TO ASSURE A C00R-DINATED, EFFECTIVE, AND CREDIBLE G0'TRNMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM.
THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE WOULD P.E CHAIRED BY 5;
NIH AND WOULD INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FPOM ALL MAJOR
}
RESEARCH AND REGULATORY AGENCIES.
.f.
s
~
~
. k. :..;,. +...., ~ W.
.,a
. i.
.:.:.. O. ':-:. *.
THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE WOULD:
o DEVELOP A CCIPREHENSIVE RESEARCH PROGP.AM ON THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION
~
INCLUDING EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, EXPERIMENTAL AND
~
PATHWAY STUDIES:
m o
SET PRIORITY AREAS FOR RESEARCH:
o ENSURE THAT THE RESEARCH NEEDS OF THE REGULATORY AGENCIES ARE MET IN A TIMELY MANNER:
=e o
IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND THE MOST APPROPRIATE AGENCY i0 CAR.MY OUT OR SUPP0r.T SPECIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAMS:
o REVIEW AGENCY RESEARCH BUDGETS AND COMMENT J-ON THEIR ADEQUACY TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET:
^.N f
o DEVELOP MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR MANAGI' E
'N RADIATION RESEARCH:
.m o
ASSURE PROMPT DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS:
d
~
o ASSURE ACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTI-5 VITIES OF THE CCMMITTEE BY MAKING INFORMATION PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, HOLDING OPEN MEETINGS AND 259 361
. - - -. -.r.,
......c...,..,...,,,,..,,..,..,.
~
~ '
>:l '.
' ~
'.-:.. 3.'...:........ n. '
~...,.. -
- CONSULTING WIDELY WITH SCIENTISTS AND OTHER OUTSIDE GROUPS:
IN ADDITION TO SEEKING BETTER COORDINATION OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, THE TASK FORCE ALSO WANTED TO PROVIDE FCR THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERN-
~
MENT'S RESEARCH PROGRAM. TO ACHIEVE THIS END, THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDED THAT NIH AND OTHER HEALTH AGENCIES ASSUME A MAJOR ROLE IN CONDUCTING AND FUNDING RADIATION
~
HEALTH EFFECTS RESEARCH.
~
DOE INHERITED ITS CURRENT LEADERSHIP ROLE IN RADIA-TION HEALTH EFFECTS RESEARCH FROM THE AEC.
THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO COMMIT SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES TO THIS RESEARCH AND HAVE PRODUCED HIGH QUALITY WORK.
- RECENTLY, HOWEVER, CONTROVERSY HAS ARISEN OVER DOE'S MULTIPLE ROLES AND ITS OBJECTIVITY HAS BEEN QUESTIONED: THERE
.[
HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS THAT THE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR
- I RADIATION RESEARCH SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM DOE.
THESE l
SUGGESTIONS ARE BASED ON THE ASSERTION THAT THE CREDIBILITY
' ('
0F THE GOVERNMENT'S RESEARCH EFFORTS WOULD BE IMPROVED BY SEPARATING PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESEARCH ON 5]
HEALTH EFFECTS FROM THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOP-ING NUCLEAR ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSIGNING IT TO AN AGENCY WHOSE MISSION IS THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
a n._
.,..-, -...,..,..,.,,,i,.-. n..,,,. _.,..,., _,,,
4 A>'&
fp%[$>Q)j;> q,fjF
////
j$'A r,
TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 E:13 E 5 [2. EM
=
m m m
lle.8 1
u se 1.25 1.4 1.6
==
- 4 4* 48 4,4? Ar/;
'ta a 4%
.e n a o
O'.
- g.,
N
<9?
.s. su t
'tht%&>
&o p fjj,k //
S gf.p
<s4y$
\\k//7 (f h$f*
9 TEST TARGET (MT-3)
.0
'" a P=25 1
==-
y,,, '( =2 2 I-L-- ;
- g m
'!'l,l h, D'A N l
g i.2 5 i'[ i ;
! i.6
,1.
4 6"
qfI' %fn 4'%'^%
d'4. /,/AP 41%,h"D
/>e6
^
- ff I
4 gq 0/
- e:#'
7
>.,...e.
p,
- .2, ;
' h. s.:w...a. !% d2$is :.:....?'N.d:.;&.,,I I' h. -
- ' :: b '1:S:. ',*.
1.{.
_7_
3:
THE TASK FORCE CONCLUDED THAT NIH WOULD BE THE LOGICAL CHOICE TO BEAR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS RESEARCH.
THE CENTRAL MISS10f 0F NIH 13,TO CONDUCT AND TO SUPPORT RESEARCH INTO THE CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE AND TO DISSEMINATE THE RESULTS OF THAT RESEARCH.
ITS NATIONAL j
AND INTERNATIONAL STATURE WILL ENHANCE PUBLIC CONFILENCE
..:.')'
IN THE RESEARCH RESULTS.
OTHER HEALTH AGENCIES IN HEW,
q.
SUCH AS THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AS WELL AS HEALTH AGENCIES OUTSIDE
.. l.
~
0F HEW WOULD ALSO PLAY AN EXPANDED RESEARCH ROLE.
-5.
-)
UNDER THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION, THE NATIONAL U
LABORATORIES COULD CONTINUE PERFORMING SOME OF THIS RESEARCH, BUT FUNDING COULD BE PROVIDED BY NIH AND OTHER
~5 AGENCIES IN ADDITION TO D0E.
THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD ASSURE DIVERSITY OF FUNDING SOURCES TO WHICH SCIENTISTS COULD APPLY.
THE TASK FORCE PROPOSED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TWO ALTER-NATIVE METHODS FOR ACHICVING THIS TRANSFER OF RESEARCH
~-;,
.j LEADERSHIP FROM DOE TO NIH, THESE WERE:
o MAINTAINING THE CURRENT RESEARCH BUDGET AT DOE
}:
AND SUBSTANTIALLY EXPANDING THE RADIATION RE-
'~
v.
j',
SEARCH BUDGETS OF NIH AND OTHER HEALTH AGENCIES:
OR g
5
') 6.';
O U '.
t.
g
,.._4...;.
- x e'
C.
~'
...J a.:...-.,.,w.~....:
-* : :~. '
- - :...+ '.;.
y.
~
s 5
o DIRECTING THAT SI'ME PORTION OF DOE'S RESEARCH PROGRAM BE TRANSFERRED TO NIH AND OTHER HEALTH AGENCIES OVER THE NEXT 2 OR 3 FISCAL YEARS.
.THE TASK FORCE WILL MAKE ITS FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS IN A REPORT TO THE WH:TE HOUSE THIS SUMMER AFTER REVIEWING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED AND THE FSTIMONY GIVEN AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON THIS QUESTION.
.:1 RADIATION PROTECTION
)
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY EXPOSURES TO RADIA-TION AND TO CONTROL NECESSARY EXPOSURES OF WORKERS AND V
THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THIS PROGRAM INVOLVES REGULATION 0F PRIVATE INDUSTRY USING SOURCES OF RADIATION, PROTECT-ING GOVERNMENT WORKERS EXPOSED TO RADIATION, AND PUBLIC 1
EDUCATION.
^
3
~3 THE NUMBER OF AGENCIES INVOLVED IN RADIATION PROTECTION
..a.
HAS INCREASED SINCE THE LATE 1960'S.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WAS CREATED IN 1970 WITH BROAD RESPON-
~
SIBILITIES FOR RADIATION.
THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COM-j MISSION WAS SPLIT OFF FROM THE AEC TO REGULATE THE USE OF ATOMIC ENERGY ACT MATERIALS BY PRIVATE INDUSTRY.
OSHA WAS CREATED TO REGULATE WORKER SAFETY IN ALL AREAS
.x
?
WHERE THE WORKER IS NOT OTHERWISE COVERED.
THE CONSUMER 260 002
. ~,
. --L
~
L'
^
\\... :: :.. '~ G
- Q...
. e..,. o :.::,....... ir. ~... -
=-:.-:.
_g_
PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED TO REGULATE CONSUMER PRODUCTS INCLUDING SOME OF THE PRODUCTS THAT EMIT RADIATION.
IN ADDITION, THE AUTHORITY OF EXIST'NG
~
AGENCIES SUCH AS FDA'S BUREAU OF RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH HAS BEEN EXPANDED.
TH'i TASK FORCE EXAMINED THE NEED FOR GREATER C00RDI-NATION AND COMMUNICATION AMONG THE MANY AGENCIES INVOLVED
~
IN PROTECTION ACTIVITIES.
IN PARTICULAR, IT WAS FELT TiAT INCREASED AGENCY PARTI (,IPATION WAS NEEDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BASIC RADIATION GUIDES.
[
IN ADDITION TO RECOMMENDING ALTERNATIVES TO IMPROVE INTERAGENCY COORDINATION AND CLARIFY RESPONSIBILITIES, THE TASK FORCE ALSO RECOMMENDED WAYS TO INCREASE PARTI-CIPATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR GROUPS, SUCH AS LABOR UNIONS,
^
INDUSTRY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, IN RADIATION PROTEC-TION ACTIVITIES TO ASSURE THAT THEIR VIEWS AND CONCERNS ARE CONSIDERED.
SINCE THE DEMISE OF THE FEDERAL RADIATION COUNCIL IN
' 5' 1970 AND THE TRANSFER OP ITS FUNCTIONS TO EPA, THERE HAS BEEN NO FORMAL MECHANISM FOR INTERAGENCY C00RDI-NATION IN RADIATION PROTECTION.
WHILE COORDINATION
(:{
SOMETIMES HAS BEEN ACHIEVED ON AN AD H0C, INTERMITTENT, BASIS, THE TASK FORCE CONCLUDED THAT COORDINATION SHOULD BE INSTITUTIONALIZED AMONG THE :lGENCIES.-
.?
.~
z (.30 0 0 ~s
p
.. ;=.f.9; n
~.
.... -. : b,,
hL-:.u.2O:.~.r.,L:
ti ::.li.1 :: - :
5 - h.. i,.s..k.
.q..
THE TASK FORCE REPORT ON INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSES TWO OPTIONS FOR PROMOTING INTERAGENCY C00RDI-NATION, IMPROVING LEADERSHIP, ENHANCING AGENCY EFFECT-r.
IVENESS AND INCREASING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE RADIA-n TION PROTECTION ACTIVITIES.
ONE ALTERNATIVE IS THE CREATION OF AN I,NTERAGENCY RADIATION
}
PROTECTION COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY EPA.
THE COMMITTEE WOULD OVERSEE AND COORDINATE THE ACTIVIT'ES OF THE REGULATORY ' -aCIES AND THE USER AGENCIES INCLUDING
[-
D0D, DOE, DOL, HEW, EPA, NRC, AND THE VA.
IT WOULD
.]
SERVE AS A FORUM FOR RESOLVING JURISDICTIONAL CONFLICTS AND IDENTIFYING GAPS IN REGULATION.
CREATION OF SUCH AN INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE WOULD NOT ALTER THE AUTHORIT(
OF AN AGENCY TO REGULi!TE IN A PARTICULAR AREA.
IT WOULD, HOWEVER, ASSURE THAT THE REGULATORY POLICY WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC GUIDES FOLLOWED BY OTHER
]
AGENCIES.
?'
THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE PROPOSED BY THE TASK FORCE IS
[
TO MAKE EPA THE LEAD AGENCY FOR RADIATION PROTECTION.
THIS APPROACH. URIGINALLY PROPOSED BY THIS COMMITTEE, WAS GENERALLY NOT FAVORED WHEN THE COMMITTEE SOUGHT
~
COMMENTS BY INTERESTED PRIVATE SECTOR GROUPS (FEDERAL REGULATION OF RADIATION HEALTH AND SAFETY:
ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE REMEDIES).
y w
i 260 005
~
- . G
- ,.:~.,
- ..,...,.c a.......;.......
,2 ;..
~
~
_11-GUIDANCE AUTHORITY SHOULD AN INTERAGENCY RADI.ATION PROTECTION COMMITTEE BE ESTABLISHED, IT COULD BE GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO SET I
BASIC GUIDES OR THE COMMITTEE COULD PLAY AN ACTIVE ADVISORY ROLE TO EPA.
~
~
THE AUTHORI'lY TO ADVISE THE. PRESIDENT ON BASIC RADI-
~
ATION GUIDES WAS FIRST EXERCISED BY THE FEDERAL RADIA-
- 2 TION COUNCIL, A CABINET-LEVEL INTERAGEL. c0DY CHAIRED BY HEW.
IN 1970 THE GUIDANCE AUTHORITY WAS TRANSFERRED TO EPA.
EPA'S ATTEMPTS TO ISSUE GUIDANCES HAVE BEEN y
HAMPERED BY DISPUTES OVER ITS JURISDICTION AND BY c
LIMITED COOPERATION FROM OTHER AGENCIES.
g a$
THERE ARE FOUR OPTIONS PROPOSED IN THE TASK FORCE
'J '
REPORT FOR MANAGING THE GUIDANCE AUTHORITY:
I o
CLARIFY AND STRENGTHEN EPA'S GUIDA..CE AUTHORI-TY, TO AVOID CONFLICTS BETWEEN BASIC GUIDANCE 7,':
AND OTHER STATUTORY AUTHORITIES.
o CLARIFY THE EPA'S GUIDANCE AUTHORITY AND, IN ADDITION, DEVELOP PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT
- {
AGENLIES MOST AFFECTED PLAY A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDES THAT AFFECT THEIR 2
260 00L
... - y>.~.....,.
-,...?....
. y,;..,
_ ; ;['
,.u2 th., :
l ',.i
'E
- I
.L. + :~.-;. _f.'..
y
.s.+. ::2
,~;':.i.c..
T:
r.
,a.
-12 ACTIVITIES AND TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERAGENCY COMMENT, DISCUSSION, AND DEBATE.
WHILE THE VIEWS OF OTHER AGENCIES WOULD BE CONSIDERED, EPA WOULD RETAIN THE POWER TO ADVISE THE PRESIDENT.
~
o DIVIDE THE GUIDANCE DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITY AMONG EPA AND OTHER AGENCIES, SEPARATING THE BASIC EXPOSURE PRINCIPLES AND RECOMMENDED DOSE LIMITS FROM OTHER GUIDANCE.
4
-. 7, o ASSIGN THE GUIDANCE FUNCTION TO THE INTERAGENCY PROTECTION COMMITTEE, S0 THAT IT WOULD BE EXER-CISED COLLEGIALLY.
OVERAL(C00RDINATION THE CREATION OF THE INTERl.CENCY RESEARCH AND PROTECTION COMMITTEES WILL PROMOTE BETTER C0 ORDINATION AND MORE EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN EACH OF THESE AREAS.
TO ASSURE
]
CONSISTENT GOVERNMENT-WIDE POLICY RELATING TO RADIATION MATTERS, THE TASK FORCE ALSO RAISED THE POSSIBILITY OF
't:
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGH-LEVEL INTERAGENCY RADIATION 5
COORDINATING COUNCIL WITH A CHAIR NAMED BY THE PRESIDENT.
., '.. W h.'. M s -:.... r I b.
v
...d O '.
l
' ~.'. ~
d. I I THE COUNCIL WOULD COORDINATE THE WORK OF THE TWO COMMITTEES AND SEE THAT OTHER RADIATION RELATED ism!ES, SUCH AS COMFINSATION OR CREATION OF A WORKER REGISTRY, ARE ADDRESSED.
THE COUNCIL WOULD SERVE AS A FOCUS FOR
-f PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY DURING THIS PERIOD OF RISING CONCERN ABOUT THE HEALTH RISKS OF RADIATION.
THE STAFF i
REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORTED A FAVORABLE RESPONSE TO REVIVING THE FEDERAL RADIATION COUNCIL.
THE ALTERNATIVE TO ESTABLISHING A RADIATION COORDINA-
. ~
TING COUNCIL WOULD BE TO LET THE RESEARCH COMMITTEE j
AND THE PROTECTION COMMITTEE (OR A LEAD AGENCY) C00RDI-NATE THEIR AFFAIRS INFORMALLY, THROUGH CONSULTATION BY
..c THE CHAIRS, BY SETTING UP LIAISON OFFICES WITHIN EACH AGENCY AT A STAFF LEVEL, OR BY HAVING SOME OF THE SAME PERSONNEL SERVE ON BOTH c.0MMITTEES.
BOTH INSTITUTIONS WOULD SERVE AS SEPARATE FORUM FOR DEVELOPING RADIATION
}
POLICY AND AS FOCI FOR PUBLIC CONCERN.
DISPUTES WOULD
']
BE RESOLVED AS THEY NOW ARE, BY APPEAL TO OMB, OR TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE, OR TO THE PRESIDENT.
THIS APPROACH
]
COULD BE SUPPLEMENTED PERIODICALLY BY A MAJOR REVIEW 0F RADIATION POLICY, AS HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE TASK FORCE.
'.'c THE TASK FORCE IS SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THESE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AND PLANS TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDA-TIONS IN THE FINAL REPORT TO THE WHITE HOUSE THIS SUMMER.
n-,
7 f. n v..
.....,~n..r.-.n...
. ;. a. :
. - - 7,
i~
'.;. '..e /r f. a '
.9.'. w.r v.
'.1
. v_-
c...-
Il-.
6.'*'
'~
THE TASK FORCE EXPERIENCE HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT THE AGENCIES ARE READY AND WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER ON RADIATION ISSUES.
THIS AREA INVOLVES MANY AGENCIES WITH DIVERSE RESPONSIBILITIES.
WE ALL SHARE A COMMON 2
GOAL OF AN EFFECTIVE RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM THAT SAFEGUARDS THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
I THINK WE HAVE ALL BENEFITED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE AND OUR PROGRAM SHOULD
'[ -
BE STRONGER AS A RESULT.
I HAVE EVERY EXPECTATION THAT l
THE CLOSE COOPERATION AND GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE AGENCIES ON THE TASK FORCE WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEW INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE ESTABLISHED.
G e
e
,eR
=
o a
e e8.
- +
l~
e-"'
A th '
_. _ _ _