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THE
ORCBS > Radiation
Safety
> Radiation
Safety Manual
>
 Laws
and Regulations Concerning Radiation
The U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission is the branch of the federal government which
regulates the licensing, use and disposal of radioactive materials.
A multitude of laws set forth by the NRC must be obeyed. The State
of Michigan also has laws, guidelines and regulations. In some cities,
local regulations governing radioactive materials uses also exist,
primarily with effluent discharges. Michigan State University possesses
a radioactive materials license which contains further conditions
of operation.
All of the above
laws, guidelines and regulations must be obeyed. If any of the regulating
agencies or authorities determine that the laws or conditions are
not complied with during the periodic inspections which they conduct,
violations will be cited, and penalties may be imposed. Penalties
may include civil penalties (which may be fines or criminal prosecution
in court), sanctions, suspension or termination of the license.
For this reason, it is imperative that all principal investigators,
workers and support staff involved in the receipt, use, disposal
or records of radioactive materials be aware of and comply with
these laws.
The Code of
Federal Regulations, Title 10, Parts 19 and 20, are legal requirements
set forth for all radioactive materials licensees. In particular,
Part 20 contains the general practices, requirements and conditions
by which all users of radioactive materials must abide. On January
1, 1994, the revised Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations, Part
20 became law for all licensees. Numerous changes were made; most
of these changes pertain to the way the programs and operations
are managed, and are the responsibility of the Health Physics staff.
One change should be particularly attended to by all Michigan State
University staff. In the revised 10 CFR 20, ALARA practice is mandatory.
ALARA
Radiation
Safety Manual Table of Contents
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