Nuclear Security Act of 2002 (posted on HPS website)

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@EARTHLINK.NET>]

November 15, 2002 • Nuclear Security Act of 2002



The following information was posted on the HPS website, Members Only 

Section. If you are a HPS member, you can clink on the specific links 

to obtain the PDF files noted in the posting.



-----------------



On November 12, 2002, Senator Jeffords (I-VT), Chair of the Senate 

Committee on Environment and Public Works reported to the Senate the 

Committee's action on a bill (S. 1746, Nuclear Security Act of 2001) 

to strengthen security at nuclear facilities. The report, Senate 

Report 107-335, recommends the bill, as amended in Committee, be 

passed with the title Nuclear Security Act of 2002. Although the 

original bill was directed at increasing security for nuclear 

facilities in the wake of the events of September 11, the Committee 

amended the bill to include actions for increasing the security of 

"sensitive radioactive material."



Provisions for increasing the security of radioactive material 

include determining the radioactive materials that should be 

classified as "sensitive radioactive material"; developing a 

classification system for these materials that is based on the 

potential for use by terrorists and that takes into account 

radioactive and chemical characteristics of the materials; developing 

a national recovery system for the materials that are lost or stolen; 

providing for the safe storage of these materials not currently in 

use; developing a national tracking system for the materials; 

developing methods to ensure the proper disposal of the materials; 

and establishing procedures to improve the security of the materials 

while in use, transport, and storage. Determining, developing, and 

establishing these provisions will be the responsibility of a newly 

established Task Force On Nuclear Infrastructure Security consisting 

of representatives from 10 Federal Agencies, including the Chairman 

of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who serves as Chair of the Task 

Force.



"Sensitive radioactive materials" is defined in the act as material 

that is source material, byproduct material, special nuclear 

material, or any other radioactive material (regardless of whether 

the material is or has been licensed or regulated under the Atomic 

Energy Act) that is in such a form or concentration that the Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission determines, based on the recommendations of the 

Task Force, it warrants improved security and protection against 

loss, theft, or sabotage. In his report, Senator Jeffords states, 

"The committee also specifically encourages the task force to 

consider radioactive materials that are not currently regulated by 

the United States for their radioactive properties, such as naturally 

occurring or accelerator produced 

radioactive materials (NORM)." Senator Jeffords further states, "The 

committee is aware that there are a broad range of radioactive 

materials in public use and not all present a significant threat to 

public health. As such, [this bill] requires the task force to 

identify 

and categorize those materials that should be classified as sensitive 

radioactive material."



The provisions of the act regarding classification and security of 

radioactive material are similar to some of the provisions of Senate 

bill S.2684, the Dirty Bomb Prevention Act of 2002. The Health 

Physics Society released a press release supporting legislation such 

as S.2684 because it was consistent with the Society Position 

Statement "STATE AND FEDERAL ACTION IS NEEDED FOR BETTER 

CONTROL OF ORPHAN SOURCES." 



The primary focus of the bill is for the Task Force to evaluate the 

need for security improvements at nuclear facilities with broad 

implications for the security forces and emergency planning and 

response requirements at nuclear facilities.



-------------------------------------------------

Sandy Perle

Director, Technical

ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Service

ICN Plaza, 3300 Hyland Avenue

Costa Mesa, CA 92626



Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100  Extension 2306

Fax:(714) 668-3149



E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net

E-Mail: sperle@icnpharm.com



Personal Website: http://sandy-travels.com/

ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com/



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