ML19296D028
| ML19296D028 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/28/1979 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19296C882 | List:
|
| References | |
| REF-10CFR9.7 SECY-79-636, NUDOCS 8002290264 | |
| Download: ML19296D028 (2) | |
Text
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... resp m e k W o m;,g h#e r-FOR FURTHER INFOPJtATION CONTACT:
ENCLOSURE F Robert A. Purple, Assistant Director Radiological Health & Safeguards Standards Office of Standards Development Nuclear Regulatory Comission Washington, D. C. 20555 (Phone -(301)443-5855)
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
The NRC radiation protection standards were developed in the late 1950's.
Since that time there have been a substantial number of revisions, some of them to bring the regulation into accord with reconrendations of various scientific advisory organizations, but none of them affecting the basic structure or fundamental approach to radiation protection embodied in the original publication. With the passage of time there has been an increase in the sophistication of the general approach to radiation pmtection, there have been several legislative actions that affect the federal approach to radiation protection, and there have been additional infonnation and recommenda-tions on radiation protection frem national and international bodies (e.g.,
United Nations Scientific Ccmmittee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements and the International Ccmraission on Radiological Protection).
In addition, there has been a growing public interest in and concern about the potential health effects of low-level ionizing radiation.
In August 1979, the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare sent to the President a report of an Interagency Task Force on the Health Effects of Ionizing Radiation. This report, among other things, made recommendations for reducing radiation exposures and recomended the establishment of a federal radiation council responsible for formulating broad radiation pro-tec h Trc'M '**d
'ee<-hnteri pol i cy.geAs part of its participation in this Task Force effort, the g
NRC recognized the desirability of reexamining the acequacy of its existing radiation protection standards.
For these reasons, the NRC is initiating a rulemaking proceeding for the purpose of modernizing its radiation protection standards.
It is expected '.at this 8 0 0 2 2 9 ht
,p. rulemaking procee 'ing will be complex and controversial. To provide for the earliest possible public participation in the development of prcposed revisions, the NRC is seeking public cement and suggestions at this very early stage in the process.
The Comission is considering, as a separate matter, petitions that have recermended the lowering of numerical limits for individual doses.
Accordingly, public cements on the absolute numerical limits that should be established in the radiation protection standard are not solicited as part of this notice.
It is anticipated that public hearings on new EPA federal guidance for occupational exposures will bq conducted jointly by EPA, NRC, (gee 44 PR 6-'M 85 )
and OSHA in the near future; numerical occupaticnal dose limiting standards will be an appropriate issue for public coment at those hearings.
If, as a result of the EPA guidance, revised numerical standards for NRC licensees are indicated, they will be promulgated.
Depending on the timing of the EPA action, the matter will be addressed either in a separate,rulemaking proceeding or as an integral part of the present initiative to modernize the radiation protection standard.
In either event, there will be ample opportunity for public cement.
The NRC recognizes that the EPA has Federal responsibility for establishing kra Mam-, Ghe. 4 x generally applicable standards for the protection of the environment frem radiation and radioactive materials, and is aware that EPA is actively v
developing new cuidance/ and standards that would affect the provisions ofen -.. J M~d Ja as denna ke Ox
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NRC's radiation protection regulations /, During the consiceration of revisions to its radiation protection standards, NRC plans to work closely with tha Eoa ta help ensure compatibility with forthcoming EPA guidance. One of the ccals in
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r,evising the NRC radiation protection standards is to structure is in a ny that fobo-will facilitata ccmpliance withp radiation protection guidance issued by the EPA.
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