ML20210Q226
| ML20210Q226 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/11/1983 |
| From: | Miller V NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Brown W CANADA ATOMIC ENERGY CONTROL BOARD |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20210P695 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-84-936 NUDOCS 8610060915 | |
| Download: ML20210Q226 (2) | |
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DC TCat:Jil MAY]y g Mr. W. R. Ercun Atomic Energy Control Board P.O. Box 1046 Ottawa, Canada KlP 559
Dear Hr. Brown:
Thank you for your letter dated April 15, 1983, asking about the acceptability in the U.S. of irradiating and distributing semi-precious gems to the general public.
As Mr. James Patterson discussed with you on the telephone, we have no objection
' to gama irradiation of gems, because this does not induce radioactivity. It is our understandi_ng that your question involves neutron irradiation, which results in the production of radioactive byproduct caterial in the gems. Such byproduct material is subject to URC regulatory jurisdiction under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 as amended. As discussed below, our position is that irradia-tien of gems by neutrons and distribution to the general public should be discouraged or prohibited for radiological, regulatory, and policy reasons.
lle cannot give you a detailed radiological analysis, because your letter did not provide datails of the proposed process or what claims are being made by the applicant. liowever, in the past we have analyzed topaz which was irradiated abroad and imported into the U.S. without disclosure that the topaz contained induced radioactivity. Our analysis indicated that the topaz was radioactive, significantly above background levels. Two major radicnuclides were scandictc 4 (hal f-li fe: 84 days) and tantalue-182 (half-life: 115 days). Therefore, we took steps to stop import of the radioactive topaz into the U.S. It is our understand-ing that other lont,er lived radionuclides can be induced, depending on the sea.
Therefore, the applicants' clain that there will be no significant radioactivity after several weks should be questioned in detail.
Troa a reDulatory point of view, our regulations pennit certain products containing radioactive material to be distributed to the general public; for example: s:roke detectors and luminous wrist watches. licuever, there is no provision for distribution of gws containing induced radioactivity. There fore, comercial distribution of such gens would appear to be prohibited by our segula-tions. We would consider the geir, to be radioactive if there were any detectable radioactivity above that associated with unirradiated gens, using the best state-of-the-art radiation detection instrarents.
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'. Aignic Ener3y Control Loard .
1lltii regard to policy, I have enclosed car 1965 Policy State:st concerning conse,ar products containing radioactive saterial. /c you can see, car policy is that consumrs should not t,e exposed to radiation unless there is a co;..pansating benefit. Mornnents are specifically motioneJ as being of rt.arginal beneff t. l.e would consicar seus to be odont.'ents.
In su:arary, we question whether neutron irradiation of Ses can ba acconplished such that no induced radioactivity will be present at the tir,e the ecms are dis-tributed. Further.xre, we would prohibit distribution of sens cuotaining detc-ctable induced radioactivity in the U.S. because this uwid violate our policy and regulations. Therefore, t.e strongly mcot.wna that neutron irradiation of gevs for cer.wurcial distribucion be discouraged or prohibited.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact re.
Sincera1y, Critir:alsi 3n2d By WWI L. InlLLER Vandy L. tiiller, Cnief '
I:sterial Licensing :., ranch .
Division of Fuel Cycle and flaterial Safety
Enclosure:
1965 Policy Staterant w d
DISTRISUTION
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