NRC's patient release rulemaking

[Cheryl Trottier <CAT1@nrc.gov>]

I would like to clarify to the individual from Harvard, and any others, that NRC has
recently revised 10 CFR 35.75 to allow release of patients on a solely dose-based
basis.  This change will permit a patient to be released  provided the total effective
dose equivalent to any individual will not exceed 500 mrem.  In a case where the
dose could exceed 100 mrem the patient is to be provided instructions on how to
maintain doses to others ALARA.  This rule was adopted to remove the
inconsistency that existed with the promulgation of a 100 mrem public dose limit in
Part 20 in 1991, and the previous activity based limit in 35.75.  A regulatory guide
will be published that will provide tables of  administered activities where release
could be permitted without the need to calculate the projected dose.  The final rule
was published in the Federal Register on January 29, 1997.  The effective date was
extended to May 29, 1997, to allow time for publication of the regulatory guide. 
Unfortunately, the Federal Register notice states that the guide is now available and
it is not.  We do anticipate that the guide will be published in March, however.
Hopefully this clarifies the situation but if you still have any questions regarding the
rule they can be directed to the project manager, Stewart Schneider at
301-415-6225.    

Cheryl Trottier,
Acting Chief, Radiation Protection and
Health Effects Branch, Office of Research, NRC