IOM Report on the NRC's Medical Byproduct Use Program

[GOODEN@VMS.OCOM.OKSTATE.EDU]

     In December 1995, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Committee
for Review and Evaluation of the Medical Use Program of the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission released a prepublication copy of the
Committee's report.  The primary recommendation of the Committee
is getting significant attention.  The Committee made a
recommendation that there be an elimination of NRC control of the
medical use of byproduct materials.  Instead, the states would assume
complete regulatory authority of the medical use of byproduct material. 
Under this recommendation, byproduct materials in medicine would be
regulated the same way that x-ray machines, linear accelerators,
nonreactor produced isotopes, and other devices and materials are
currently regulated.  In addition, the Committee recommended that
there be a federal agency, other than the NRC, that would exercise a
leadership role in the radiation safety community.  This agency would
not have regulatory authority.  Rather it would assist in developing
state laws and regulations of all ionizing radiation medicine, building
on the activities of the CRCPD and the SSRCR.  It would also provide
leadership, act as an information clearing house and distribute
resources for training and research.  The Committee recommended
giving consideration to placing this federal agency within the
Department of Health and Human Services.  

     I am pleased to see the interest in and discussion of the report
exhibited by postings to this listserver.  As a member to the IOM
Committee that produced the report, I think the report was carefully
and thoughtfully prepared after intense study and discussion.  It
reflects a lot of testimony, experience, and thought.  Everyone who is
interested in this important topic should read the report and think it
through carefully.  Make sure that arguments from those who desire
to discredit the report are held to the same standard of objectivity as
the report itself.  Be alert for arguments on either side of the issue that
come primarily from personal values, personal perspectives and job
security concerns.  

     As you make your review, remember that the Committee
recommended the transfer of the regulatory authority of byproduct
materials from the NRC to the states, but not necessarily the transfer
of the same regulatory programs that presently exist.  Today an
Agreement State may spend 60% or more of its resources in
maintaining the agreement program which addresses not greater than
10% of radiation medicine.  The remaining 40% of allocations may go
to the regulatory control of the other 90% of radiation medicine.  With
the regulatory authority clearly in the hands of the states, states may
be able to modify programs and allocation of resources such that we
have a better return on public health and safety for our regulatory
dollars spent.   


David S. Gooden, Ph.D., J.D. 
Director, Biomedical Physics 
Saint Francis Hospital 
6161 S. Yale Avenue 
Tulsa, OK  74136 
Phone:  (918) 494-1444 
FAX:  (918) 494-1452 
email:  GOODEN@VMS.OCOM.OKSTATE.EDU