ML20148P735

Forwards for Comm Approval a Proposed Final Draft of an Nrc/Epa Memo of Understanding Re Epidemiology Study of Health Effects from Exposure to Ionizing Radiat

ML20148P735
Person / Time
Issue date:	11/09/1978
From:	Minogue R NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT
To:
References
SECY-78-582, NUDOCS 7811290029
Download: ML20148P735 (5)

Text

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SECY-78-582 l

For: The cnmmiecinn e h Thru: Leeh rAC 10N -

From: Robert B. Minogue, Director, Office of Standards Development

Subject:

TRANSMITTAL 0F FINAL DRAFT NRC-EPA MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Purpose:

To transmit, for the Commission's approval, the recommended final draft of the NRC/ EPA Memorandum of Understanding (M0U) to direct a planning / feasibility study for the conduct of an epidemiology study of the health effects from exposure to l

ionizing radiation.

Discussion: As discussed at the Commission meeting of November 2, 1978, a draft of the above mentioned NRC/ EPA MOV is attached. This draft reflects the input and agreement of both NRC and EPA staff members *. The MOV is written for the ED0's signature. Prompt Commission action is requested in this matter because of the requirement to submit the M00 30 days following enactment of the NRC Authorization Bill. **

We believe that the MOU is responsive to the Congressional mandate which initiated this action, and provides the NRC and EPA with a mechanism to fulfill needs in the area of low-level radiation research.

Copies have been transmitted to EPA for final review and to HEW for their review.

/ 'kIh. )'/k t./

Robert B. Minogue, Directoi Office of Standards Development

• Draft agreed upon at NRC/ EPA Meeting of November 1, 1978. -

EPA representatives: W. A. Mills, ORP, G. Simon, ORD, W. Ellet, ORP and N. Nelson, ORP NRC representatives: K. R. Goller, SD, F. J. Arseaault, RES, R. A. Purple, SD, S. S. Yaniv, RES, T. F. Dorian, ELD, and M. A. Parsont, SD

Attachment:

aft Memorandum of Understanding

**SECY NOTE: The bill was signed on November 6, 1978, he SD the Congressional suspense for the MOV is Tcis item is scheduled for a Commission Briefi November 16, 7 8112900;;L 9 -

r i. 'N Commissioners' comments should be provided directly to the Office of the

-Secretary by c.o.b. Wednesday, November 22, 1978.

Commission Staff Office comments, if any, should be submitted to the Commissioners NLT November 16, 1978, with an information copy.to the Office of the Secretary. If the paper is of such a nature that it requires additional time for analytical review and comment, the Commissioners and the Secretariat should be apprised of when comments may be expected.

DISTRIBUTION Commissioners Commission Staff Offices Exec Dir for Operations Secretariat -

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,g V l NRC/ EPA MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON THE HEALTH EFFECT OF LOW-LEVEL IONIZING RADIATION The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have complementary responsibilities in areas of environmental protection and the control of radiation health hazards. Pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, all functions of the former Federal Radiation Council were transferred to EPA and the authority of the former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) for setting " generally applicable environ-mental radiation standards." In addition, EPA has authorities to establish various specific environmental standards for radiation protection of the public. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to continue the regulatory activities of the former AEC for ensuring the protection of public health and safety from

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commercial applications of nuclear energy and medical, research, and commercial uses of source, byproduct, and special nuclear materials. The NRC also has responsibility for implementing Federal guidance prepared by EPA and approved by the President which pertains to NRC-licensed activities I and responsibility for enforcing " generally applicable environmental radiation standards" is5 4 by EPA. I The Congress of the United States has authorized and directed NRC and EPA l

to: (1) conduct preliminary planning and design studies for epidemiological research on the health effects of low-level ionizing radiation; (2) submit to Congress an assessment of their capabilities and needs in the area of l

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health effects of ionizing radiation research by April 1, 1979; and -

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submit a report to the Congress by September 30, 1979, which includes a study of options for Federal epidemiological research on the health effects of low-level ionizing radiation, with evaluations of the feasibility of such options.

In order to clarify th'ire respective roles with regard to the conduct of the planning studies, the EPA and the NRC agree as follows:

1. Preparation of the technical scopes of work for the preliminary planning and design studies, selection of the type of organizations most appropriate to conduct such studies, and monitoring of the technical progress of the effort will be accomplished by a five-member scientific review group consisting of two members of the professional staffs of NRC and EPA and one invited member (with regulatory cognizance) from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. EPA will nominate the chairperson of this scientific review group.

NRC will nominate a program manager, to be responsible for the administration of the feasibility and planning studies and for the I submission of technical reports to the review group.

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2. Any questions of procedure that cannot be resolved by the scientific l l

review group will be resolved by conference between the EPA Assistant  !

Administrator for Air, Noise, and Radiation Programs and the Director of NRC's Office of Standards Development.

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3. As appropriate during the conduct of t'he studies, NRC and EPA shall consult with appropriate scientific organizations and Federal and 1 l

State agencies. ,

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4 NRC and EPA scientiffc and technical staffs will be utilized for preparation of work scopes, technical and administrative management of studies, and preparation of necessary reports to the Congress.

1 The NRC will make available up to $500,000 for outside assistance for the studies. If a private contractor is to be selected, the Division of Contracts of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will provide administrative support for issuing requests for proposals, receiving proposals, making contract awards, and administering the funds

. authorized for this purpose. .

5. NRC and EPA will separately. prepare assessments of capabilities and research needscin the Jarea of . health effects of low-levsl ionizing radiation for their; respective agencies, and will jointly prepare the report to the Congress..of'the results~ of those assessments.

1 L. V. Gossick, Executive Director

, for Operations, NRC i

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' Assistant Administrator for Air, Noise, Radiation, EPA

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- Assistant Administrator for Research , EPA'