Re: US radiation safety limits not based on science-GAO

[Dave Derenzo <dave@uic.edu>]

Thanks, everyone, for a clear explanation of the NRC limits and for 
including the applicable regulatory references.  It appears that the 
Reuters press release is technically accurate.

However, when a 25 mrem limit is set by the NRC and a 15 mrem limit is set 
by the EPA, there is an apparent conflict.  Does the EPA limit apply to NRC 
licensees?  To NRC licensed power plants?  To state licensed 
facilities?  Is there a memorandum of understanding between NRC and 
EPA?  Does either agency provide some regulatory guidance about this?  It 
is not reasonable to promulgate conflicting standards.  Comments please!

Dave Derenzo

At 12:39 PM 07/17/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>The NRC's 100 mrem annual limit (above background) is the dose limit for 
>an individual member of the public from licensed operations [10 CFR 
>20.1301(a)(1)]
>
>A licensee is allowed to operate up to a 500 mrem per year limit for a 
>member of the public with prior NRC authorization upon demonstrating the 
>need for and the duration to operate in excess of the 100 mrem limit [10 
>CFR 20.1301(c)]
>
>The NRC's 25 mrem annual limit (above background) is in reference to the 
>license termination rule [10 CFR 20. 1402].  A site will be considered 
>acceptable for unrestricted use if the dose from residual radioactivitiy 
>to the average member of the critical group does not exceed 25 mrem per year.
>
>Duncan White
>adw@nrc.gov


Dave Derenzo, RSO (dave@uic.edu)
UIC Radiation Safety Section, M/C 932
Phones: Voice (312) 996-1177  Fax: (312) 996-8776

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