Re: Shipping radioactive material

[Ruth Weiner <rfweine@sandia.gov>]

     Regulations for transportation of radioactiver material are given in 
     the NRC regs of 10 CFR Part 71, which pretty well echoes the DOT regs. 
      Accoring to 10 CFR 71.10(a)(1),  the relevant exemption is :
     
     Packages containing no more than Type A quantities of radioactive 
     material and no fissile material. [The Type A amount of natural 
     uranium is unlimited]
     
     So you can safely take that orange Fiestaware home in your car or on 
     the bus.
     
     10 CFR Part 71 is on the Web at
     
     http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/CFR/PART071/index.html
     
     Ruth Weiner 
     Sandia National Laboratories, Transportation Systems Division
     
     Usual disclaimers.
     
     


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Shipping radioactive material
Author:  lambert@auhs.edu at hubsmtp
Date:    12/16/97 2:35 PM


If the DOT considers anything with a specific activity >2 nCi/g to be 
radioactive and as a result needs special packaging, what permits the 
general public to transport generally licensed or exempt materials? 
(I know I'm mixing agencies, and that's worse than mixing metaphors.) 
For example, can one legally transport Fiestaware from the antique 
shop to one's house without the statement, "This package conforms to 
the conditions and limitations of 49CFR..."?  What about smoke 
detectors?
     
Can anyone provide the citation for an exemption from the regulations 
for these sort of household items?
     
     
Kent N. Lambert, M.S., CHP
lambert@auhs.edu
Allegheny University of the Health Sciences 
Hahnemann Division
Radiation Physics and Safety, MS 106 
Broad and Vine Streets
Philadelphia, PA  19102-1192
     
215-762-8768 (voice)
215-762-7683 (fax)
     
Disclaimer:  All opinions are well reasoned and insightful.
Needless to say, they are not (necessarily) the opinions of my employer.