Re: NRC Licensing of Am-241

[rkathren@tricity.wsu.edu (Ron L. Kathren)]

Eric --

Please see my memo to Wes.  As far as I am aware, the now famous victim of
the Hanford americium accident did not have a license.  And, how was he
buried without a license.  I believe that the definition of TRU waste would
apply.

Ron

>     This appears to be a confusing issue but not just for Am-241.
>     
>     It is my understanding that the quantites listed in 10CFR30.71 are 
>     used to establish exempt quantities mainly for source distributors but 
>     ONLY if they have an exempt distribution license.  For example, a 
>     licensee cannot simply declare a 5 uCi Cs-137 source "exempt" unless 
>     it is distributed under an E distribution license.  The same is true 
>     for the inverse: a licensee cannot send a non-licensee 5 uCi of Cs-137 
>     unless it is a source distributed as exempt.  Otherwise, this would be 
>     a handy way of reducing one's stockpile of radioactive material; one 
>     exempt quantity at a time.
>     
>     Therefore, the exempt quantities listed in 30.71 applies as a guide to 
>     someone licensed to distribute exempt sources and also applies to 
>     individuals non-licensed to recieve sources distributed as "EXEMPT".  
>     The licensed conditions may impose additional restrictions.
>     
>     For Am-241, there is no pre-determined exempt amount except as the 
>     original message noted in 30.15.  Therefore, this isotope is not 
>     distributed in any amount as an exempt quantity.
>     
>     Again, this is how I understand the process, are there other 
>     interpretations ???
>     
>     Eric Darois, CHP
>     daroiel@naesco.com
>
>
>______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
>Subject: NRC Licensing of Am-241
>Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at Internet
>Date:    10/24/96 7:39 AM
>
>
>Can anyone tell me why Americium-241 is not listed in 10CFR30.71, Schedule B?
>     
>I know that it is mentioned in 30.15 at 0.05 microcuries for sources in 
>ionizing radiation measureing instruments.  
>     
>Since it's not listed, does this mean that "ANY" amount of Am-241 must be 
>licensed by the NRC?
>     
>**************************** /^\   /^\ ********************************* 
>Tad  Blanchard              /__ \ /___\    NASA-Goddard Space Flt Ctr 
>Nat'l Health Svc, Inc            O             Greenbelt, Maryland     
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