ML20249B573

Responds to 980519 Ltr Re Proposed Revs to NRC 10CFR35 Regulations on Medical Use of Byproduct Matl.Nrc Scheduled to Provide Recommendations on Revised Part 35 to Commission in June 1998

ML20249B573
Person / Time
Issue date:	06/16/1998
From:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Collins S SENATE
Shared Package
ML20249B561	List: ML20249B560 ML20249B566 ML20249B569 ML20249B573
References
NUDOCS 9806230319
Download: ML20249B573 (1)

Text

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- UNITED STATES Distribution:

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1 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555.-0001 LJCal1an U i AThadani HThompson

\ ..... p8 ! June 16, 1998 PNorry JBlaha CHAIRMAN MKnapp, NMSS DFlack, NMSS KCyr, OGC G980341 The Honorable Susan M. Collins EDO r/f United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510-1904

Dear Senator Collins:

I am responding to your letter dated May 19,1998, regarding proposed revisions to the U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) 10 CFR Part 35 regulations on medical use of byproduct material.

The NRC staff is scheduled to provide its recommendations on proposed revisions to Part 35 to the Commission in June 1998. T he 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 has carefully considered the comments received during these interactions, in preparing the proposal. After Commission approval, a proposed rule will be published in the Federal Reaister for public comment and forwarded to your office for your information. We expect to hold additional public meetings during the comment period later this year.

The issue of training 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 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 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 proposal in light of public comments when it is received. The results of that consideration will then be available for additional public comment and discussion.

Sincerely,

$ Ju Shirley Ann Jackson l

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== idnited $tates Etnatt WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1904 May 19,1998 Ms. Laura Gerke Office of Congressional Affairs Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 FAX 301415-8571

Dear Ms. Gerke:

I have recently been contacted by some of my constituents who tre concerned about revisions to Part 35 of the Code of Federal Regulations relating to the medical use of radioisotopes I would appreciate it if you would provide me a summary of the changes that are being contemplated.

Thanks for your attention to this matter, Sincerely, i

Susan M. Collins United States Senator i REC'D 14 SECT 19 MAY W 11: bl O m Nuoomaccreuera m

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