ML20248L745
| ML20248L745 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/04/1998 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Santorum R SENATE |
| References | |
| FRN-62FR42219, RULE-PR-35 NUDOCS 9806110333 | |
| Download: ML20248L745 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES f
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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June 4, 1998
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CHAIRMAN DOCKET kKMBER
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The Honorable Rick Santorum T
j United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510-3004
Dear Senator Santorum:
I am responding to your letter dated April 25,1998, regarding the concerns of your constituents about possibla changes in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) 10 CFR Part 3 regulations on medical use of byproduct material. In particular, you were concerned about the tr:ining and experience requirements that would be applicable to personnel involved in diagnostic uses of unsealed byproduct material.
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 carefuity considering the comments received during these interactions, in preparing the proposal. After Commissson approval, a proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register for public comment. We expect to hold additional public meetings during the ccmment period later this year.
The issue of training and experience has received the. ost comments during the development m
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, l
including those from American College 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 proposed that personnel compete' icy be verified through an examination.
This proposal appears to be in keeping with the direction the Commission provided to the staf namely, to develop a risk-informed, and where appropriate, a more performance-based rule 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 public ccmments such as your constituents
- when it is received. The results of that consideration will then be availa additional public comment and discussion.
Sincerely, 9
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Shirley Ann Jackson yplg333990604 9 5I0 as 6arn4aat, po"
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