RIS 2007-03, Ionizing Radiation Warning Symbol
| ML070600495 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/01/2007 |
| Revision: | 0 |
| From: | Case M J, Schlueter J R NRC/FSME/DMSSA, NRC/NRR/ADRA/DPR |
| To: | |
| References | |
| RIS-07-003 | |
| Download: ML070600495 (7) | |
UNITED STATESNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOFFICE OF FEDERAL AND STATE MATERIALS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMSOFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDSOFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATIONWASHINGTON, D.C. 20555March 1, 2007NRC REGULATORY ISSUE SUMMARY 2007-03IONIZING RADIATION WARNING SYMBOL
ADDRESSEES
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensees and certificate holder All RadiationControl Program Directors and State Liaison Officers.
INTENT
The NRC is issuing this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to inform addressees that on February 15, 2007, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released ISO Standard #21482, Ionizing Radiation Warning - Supplementary Symbol, which describes a newsupplemental symbol to warn individuals not trained in radiation safety of the presence of a large source of ionizing radiatio The ISO supplemental symbol does not replace the standard radiation symbol (trefoil). The information in ISO Standard #21482 and this RIS are not new NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is require
BACKGROUND
At the December 2000, International Conference of National Regulatory Authorities withCompetence in the Safety of Radiation Sources and the Security of Radioactive Materials,participants discussed concerns about the increasing number of radiation events involving the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Category 1 and 2 sources (later expanded to Category 3 sources) that caused death or serious injur Conference attendees concluded that the trefoil had no inherent meaning to individuals, such as children, who had not been trained in radiation safet As a result, the conference recommended that a universal system of labeling large radioactive sources be developed, as a supplement to the trefoil, that would target any citizen, anywhere in the world with the message: "This object is dangerous and should be left alone," as well as to convey without words that one needs to "Run Away".On September 10, 2001, the IAEA General Conference approved the development by ISO of anew standard specifying the supplementary warning symbo In 2005, IAEA designed a number of symbols with different colors and shapes and evaluated them in a series of assessments andcomparisons with over 1600 people having insufficient technical education or background, children, and different cultures in 11 different countries (including the United States) to narrow down the choic In July 2006, the ISO Secretary reported that 14 countries (including the United States)approved the standard, three countries approved with comments, two countries abstained, and two countries disapprove NRC did not represent the United States on this matter but has followed the development of the supplemental symbo NRC has not initiated rulemaking, nor does it intend to at this time, to address this matter and there are no new requirements for licensees.
SUMMARY OF ISSUE
The new supplemental symbol is shown in Enclosure As discussed in ISO Standard #21482,IAEA recommends that the supplemental symbol be used for IAEA Category 1, 2, and 3 sealed source The activity for Category 1, 2, and 3 sources are in Enclosure This symbol would supplement the trefoil, not replace i As suggested, the supplemental symbol should be placedin close proximity to the source preferably on the shield or near the point of potential access to the sourc The intent of the symbol on the shield is to convey the message that dismantlingthe device is very dangerous.Due to the small size of most sources, placing the symbol directly on the source might not bepracticabl Placing the symbol on the device shielding so it can be seen prior to accessing the actual source is desirabl The supplemental symbol shall be closely associated with the device housing the source, as a warning not to dismantle the device or get any closer to the sourc ISO Standard #21482 recommends, when practical, that the supplemental symbol be locateddirectly on the source shield and under the device covers, such that it is not visible during normal use but would be visible if anyone attempts to dismantle the devic If there is no device cover, the Standard suggests that the symbol should be located on the outside housing in a discrete location, clearly visible prior to disassembly, but not visible during normal us The supplemental symbol should not be used on a door to a room or in public areas, or on trucks or shipping containers.IAEA also intends to inform scrap yards, smelting operations, or places where radioactivematerial is not intended to be located aware of the supplementary symbol's us IAEA also plans to hold a workshop later this year to work on implementation strategies for how best to retrofit the symbol on existing applicable source Some licensees that export sources to countries that require this supplemental symbol may need to use the supplemental symbol,even though NRC does not require licensees to do s ISO published and released this standard on February 15, 200 IAEA and ISO both mademedia announcements about the publication of the new standar IAEA has gained agreement from most source manufacturers to start using the symbol on new IAEA Category 1, 2, and 3 sources as soon as possibl There is no requirement for NRC licensees to adopt ISO Standard #21482.
BACKFIT DISCUSSION
This RIS requires no action or written respons Any action on the part of addressees inaccordance with the guidance contained in this RIS is strictly voluntary and, therefore, is not a backfit under any regulatory requirement in 10 CF Consequently, the staff did not perform a backfit analysi
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTIFICATION
A notice of opportunity for public comment on this RIS was not published in the Federal Registerbecause this RIS is informational, and does not represent a departure from current regulatory requirements.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT
This RIS does not contain new or amended information collection requirements subject to thePaperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq).
CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT
This RIS is not a rule as designated by the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 801-886)and, therefore, is not subject to the Act.
CONTACT
This RIS requires no specific action or written respons If you have any questions, pleasecontact one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate regional office./RA//RA/Michael Case, DirectorJanet R. Schlueter, DirectorDivision of Policy and RulemakingDivision of Materials Safety Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation and State AgreementsOffice of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management ProgramsTechnical Contacts:John P. Jankovich, FSMENima Ashkeboussi, FSME(301) 415-7904(301) 415-7637 E-mail: jpj2@nrc.govEmail: naa@nrc.gov
Enclosures:
Supplementary Warning Symbol IAEA Category 1, 2, and 3 Values List of Recently Issued Generic Communications
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTIFICATION
A notice of opportunity for public comment on this RIS was not published in the Federal Register because this RIS isinformational, and does not represent a departure from current regulatory requirements.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT
This RIS does not contain new or amended information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork ReductionAct of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq).
CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACT
This RIS is not a rule as designated by the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 801-886) and, therefore, is notsubject to the Act.
CONTACT
This RIS requires no specific action or written respons If you have any questions, please contact one of thetechnical contacts listed below or the appropriate regional office./RA//RA/Michael Case, DirectorJanet R. Schlueter, DirectorDivision of Policy and RulemakingDivision of Materials Safety Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation and State AgreementsOffice of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management ProgramsTechnical Contacts:John P. Jankovich, FSMENima Ashkeboussi, FSME(301) 415-7904(301) 415-7637 E-mail: jpj2@nrc.govEmail: naa@nrc.gov
Enclosures:
Supplementary Warning Symbol IAEA Category 1, 2, and 3 Values List of Recently Issued Generic CommunicationsOfficeFSME/MSSAFSME/MSSAFSME/MSSAFSME/MSSAFSME/DWMEPNameNAshkeboussiTHarrisSMooreAMcIntoshLCamperDate3/01/073/ 01/073/01/073/01/073/01/07OfficeOIPNMSS/DFSTNMSS/FCSSNMSS/DHLWOGC -CRANameMDoaneEWBrachRPiersonLKokajkoTRothschildDate3/01/072/27/073/01/072/26/073/ 01 /07OfficeOGC-NLONRRBC:IHPBNRR:D:DORLOISFSME/MSSANameNJensen forFCameronTFryeJLubinski forCHaneyMJanneyJSchleuterDate3/ 1 /073/ 1 /073/ 1 /073/ 01 /073/ 01 /07OfficeLA:PGCBBC:PGCBNRR NameCHawesCJacksonMCaseDate3/ 01/073/ 01 /073/01/07OFFICIAL RECORD COPY Supplementary Warning SymbolEnclosure 1 IAEA Category 1, 2, and 3 ValuesEnclosure 2 Enclosure 3 Recently Issued FSME/NMSS Generic Communications DateGC No.Subject
Addressees
02/02/07IN-07-03Reportable Medical EventsInvolving Patients Receiving Dosages of Sodium Iodide Iodine-131 less than the Prescribed Dosage Because of Capsules Remaining in Vials after AdministrationAll U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC) medical use licensees and NRC Master Materials Licensees. All Agreement State Radiation ControlProgram Directors and State LiaisonOfficers.02/28/07IN-07-03Potential Vulnerabilities of Time-reliant Computer-based Systems Due to Change in Daylight Saving Time DatesAll U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC) licensees and all Agreement State Radiation Control Program Directors and State Liaison Officers.Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public website at http://www.nrc.gov, under ElectronicReading Room/Document Collections.