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Compatibility Issues Regarding Agreement State Regulations for Portable Devices Containing RAM Sources

This article discusses the compatibility issues and regulations related to portable devices containing RAM sources. It covers the different categories of device approval, tracking of generally licensed devices, the registration process, lack of consensus among agreement states, proposed definitions for portability, and the importance of nationally recognized standards.

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Compatibility Issues Regarding Agreement State Regulations for Portable Devices Containing RAM Sources

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  1. Compatibility Issues Regarding Agreement State Regulations for Portable Devices Containing RAM Sources Presented at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society Providence, RI Sean Chapel, President

  2. Chapel Consulting • Chapel Consulting assists distributors of instruments containing radioactive sources with regulatory compliance issues • In order to provide this assistance we must be constantly aware of regulatory trends and issues

  3. Portable Hand Held Devices • Portable, hand held devices containing radioactive sources are used throughout our society for such purposes as detection of explosives, narcotics, bioweapons, etc.

  4. NRC Has Three Categories of Device Approval • Specific • General • Exempt

  5. Specifically Licensed Devices • May only be used by persons possessing a written authorization in the form of a license issued by the NRC or an Agreement State. • Among the requirements, the RSO must complete comprehensive radiation safety training • An example is a moisture/density detector used in road construction.

  6. Generally Licensed Devices • Do not require possession of a written license to be purchased • End user must agree to certain conditions regarding the use of the device, leak testing, maintaining records, and lawful disposal. • Some types of Generally Licensed Devices require registration with the NRC or the Agreement State • An example of this type of device is a static eliminator.

  7. Exempt Devices • Do not have any requirements for use by the end user. • An example of this type of device is a typical 10 microcurie Am-241 smoke detector.

  8. Tracking of Portable GL Devices • The tracking of generally licensed devices in the United States has always been a daunting task. There are thousands of these devices in existence and are often moved about from company to company and individual to individual, not always in accordance with regulations.

  9. Registration of GL Devices As of May 2006 39 States have a program in place for the registration of generally licensed devices. The NRC is also registering GL devices with certain radionuclides in quantities specified in 10 CFR 31.5.

  10. Registration Process Registration of devices involves the end user submitting an application to the NRC, Agreement State, or Non- Agreement State with information about the device, contact person, and a fee.

  11. Lack of Consensus on Portable GL Devices • Some Agreement States have policies which require specific licenses for portable GL Devices • This is an attempt to have greater tracking and accountability for devices, as well as radiation safety training for end users.

  12. Exemption Complicates Issue • In 2004 the NRC approved a portable GL device already in wide usage to be re-distributed as exempt. Some Agreement States were not pleased with this decision, as they are trying to maintain greater control over these types of devices.

  13. Need for Reform The possibility of registration, a specific license, or GL status only for the same device with different policies in each state creates a cumbersome, inconsistent regulatory environment for all stakeholders.

  14. What does “portable” mean • No clear definition exists of the term “portable”. • Some Agreement States regard “portable” to mean the device may be moved offsite to be used at temporary job sites. • If the device is not moved offsite, it may not be regarded as being “portable”

  15. Proposed Definitions for Portability of Devices • Portable: A device which is hand held, is not connected to an external power source, and can be easily moved from place to place to temporary job sites. • Semi-Portable: A device which is not hand held, is not connected to an external power source, and can be moved from place to place to temporary job sites. • Non-Portable: A device which is not hand held, but designed to be permanently fixed or mounted for use at a facility. It may or may not have an external power source, and can not be used at temporary job sites.

  16. Importance of Nationally Recognized Standards for Portable GL Devices The adoption of nationally recognized manufacturing standards referenced during the approval process of portable GL devices is vital to the regulatory community, device manufacturers, and end users.

  17. Criteria for Portable GL Device Approvals • Degree of Portability of the Instrument • Radiotoxicity of the Source • Conditions of Use • If the end user has direct access to the source • Greater control for devices with shutters • Tamper resistant screws to prevent unauthorized removal of the source • If Radiation safety training required to operate the device safely • Record of safe use as a GL device before being declared exempt

  18. Who will issue standards? A joint ANSI/HPS committee which amends ANSI N538-1979, Classification of Industrial Radiation Gauging Devices, to include a section on portable devices.

  19. Revised Policy Decisions Revised policy could come from: • NRC, in the form of an updated version of NUREG 1556, Vol.3 to include a section on requirements for portable devices • CRCPD, in the form of amendments to the Suggested State Regulations • OAS, providing guidance on Agreement State adoption and implementation

  20. Inclusion of All Stakeholders It is important for regulators to balance radiation safety criteria with the requirements of the manufacturer as well as the needs end users of the device. Portable devices which are approved as safe for use as a GL should meet the same, consistent standards and be recognized for non-specifically licensed use throughout the U.S.

  21. References • “10 CRF 31.5, Certain detecting, measuring, gauging, or controlling devices and certain Devices for producing light or an ionized atmosphere”, U.S.N.R.C., October 1999. • “Dredging Up the Problems of Portable GL Devices.”, the Organization of Agreement States (OAS) 2005 Annual Meeting, David K. Walter, Director, Radioactive Materials Licensing, Alabama Office of Radiation Control, State Health Department, October 4, 2005. • G.E. Ion Track Device Registration Sheet NR-0339-D-101-E, US NRC.,August 19, 2004.

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