ML20247M963
| ML20247M963 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/19/1998 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Kennedy P HOUSE OF REP. |
| References | |
| FRN-62FR42219, RULE-PR-35 NUDOCS 9805260432 | |
| Download: ML20247M963 (1) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION O
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May 19, 1998 3,,,
CHAIRMAN g MR 21 All :49 DOCKET NUMBER PROPOSED RULE b 85 bMF.2dl'T) k The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy l
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, App United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Kennedy:
I am responding to your letter dated April 22,1998, in which you expressed reservations about l
possible changes in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) 10 CFR Part 35 regulations on medical use of byproduct material. In particular, you were concerned about the training and experience requirements that would be applicable to personnelinvolved in diagnwuc uses of unsealed byproduu...aterial.
The NRC staff is scheduled to provide its recommendations on proposed revisions to Part 35 to the Commission in June 1998. The proposed rule is being developed using an increased public participation process that included public workshops; meetings with various medical professional societies (including the American College of Radiology); and the posting of a "strawman" rule text on the Internet for comments. The staff is carefully considering the coe..ments received during these interactions, in preparing the proposal. After Commission approvd a proposed rule will be published in the Federal Reoister for public comment. We expect to dd additional public meetings during the comment period later this year.
The issue of trair.isq and experience has received the most comments during the development of the proposed rule. Viewpoints on this issue have varied. The Commission has received comments both supporting reduction in requirements affecting personnelin the diagnostic area, including those from the American Col lege of Cardiology and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiologists, and favoring keeping the presently existing requirements. The staff draft, while reducing the number of hours required for certain medical modalities, also specified a focus on radiation safety and propoced that personnel competency be verified through an examination.
This proposal appears to be in keeping with the direction the Commission provided to the staff namely, to develop a risk-informed, and where appropriate, a more performance based rule and it addressed an objection often expressed by some commenters, that NRC requirements sometimes intruded into the practice of medicine, The Commission will carefully consider the staff proposalin light of comments such as yours when it is received. The results of that consideration will then be available for additional public comment and discussion.
Sincerely, b
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Shirley Ann Jackson 9805260432 980519 PDR COMMS NRCC l
CORRESPONDENCE PDR
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