In 1964, the Atomic Energy Commission (now the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) and Florida signed an agreement empowering the state to license and regulate radioactive materials users.
Today the program licenses more than 1,800 users, including hospitals, universities, industrial facilities, doctors, roofing companies, a food irradiator, and a medical product irradiator. The radioactive material employed by these users may be contained in a medical pharmaceutical or inside an industrial device such as a moisture density gauge or a static eliminator. The license is a dynamic document. Each year the program issues over 2,100 license amendments, or changes requested by the licensee, to accommodate the licensees’ needs and industry’s changing needs in the use of radioactive materials.
Each materials license is valid for 5 years. Program staff inspects each licensee periodically from every 6 months to every 5 years depending on the type of license. During the inspection, which may take 100 hours or more at a large facility, the inspector takes direct radiation readings and interviews and observes personnel. The inspector also reviews records, and if necessary, collects samples from equipment surfaces and the general environment which are later analyzed for contamination at the department’s radiation laboratory.
The inspector then discusses the preliminary inspection findings with the licensee during an exit interview and, within 30 days of the inspection, program staff sends a letter requiring corrective action of any deficiencies. If the licensee has significant violations or fails to correct the deficiencies, the department may impose an administrative fine or modify, suspend, or revoke the license.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission audits agreement state programs. Florida’s audit results are available online.
Resources
Code of Federal Regulations
Title 49 CFR, which contains regulations for transporting hazardous material, can be found here along with other CFR Titles. This site is maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration.
Additional Protocol (AP) forms for Radioactive Material Licensees to assist in meeting International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) treaty obligations – In accordance with 10 CFR 110.54(a)(1), reports of exports of nuclear facilities, equipment, and certain non-nuclear materials shipped by licensees under general license or specific license during the previous quarter, must be submitted by October 15, 2022, to BIS on DOC/NRC Forms AP-M or AP-13, and associated forms. The reports must contain information on all nuclear facilities, equipment, and nonnuclear materials listed in Annex II of the AP.
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors
A nonprofit organization of state and local government employees who regulate the use of radiation. CRCPD’s mission is “to promote consistency in addressing and resolving radiation protection issues, to encourage high standards of quality in radiation protection programs, and to provide leadership in radiation safety and education.”
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- NRC Generic Communications – Contains NRC information notices, generic letters, circulars, bulletins, and administrative letters.
- NRC Office of State and Tribal Programs – Information about NRC activities that directly impact states.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Notices and Information
NRC Order Suspending General License Authority To Export Radioactive Material and Deuterium to the Russian Federation
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an Order suspending the general license authority under NRC regulations to export radioactive material, and deuterium for nuclear end use, to the Russian Federation.
NRC Information Notice 2019-11
Strontium-82/Rubidium-82 Generator Elution Events and Issues
NRC Medical-Related Communications
Patients recently received Sr-82 and Sr-85 levels well in excess of the breakthrough limits for Sr-82/Rb-82 generators because of elution with Ringer’s lactate solution.
NRC Information Notice 2019-07
Methods to Prevent Medical Events (9/25/2019)
NRC Information Notice 2019-06
Patient Skin Contamination Events Associated with I-131 MetaIodoBenzylGuanidine During Neuroblastoma Treatments (9/25/2019)
NRC Information Notice 2019-05
Potential Over-Pressurization of High Specific-Activity Alphaemitting Radioactive Sources (9/25/2019)
Florida Notices and Recalls
Reminder to Florida licensees that they are required to follow manufacturer instructions, 2019 FDA DARRTS Reference ID # 4425113 or 2019 FDA DARRTS Reference ID # 4425127 and other requirements regarding the use of these generators.