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Guidance About Administrative Licensing Procedures - Final Report (NUREG-1556, Vol. 20)On this page: Download complete document The following links on this page are to documents in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). See our Plugins, Viewers, and Other Tools page for more information. For successful viewing of PDF documents on our site please be sure to use the latest version of Adobe. Table of Contents
Publication Information[ Next | Top of file ] Manuscript Completed: December 2000 Prepared by Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety Abstract[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] As part of its redesign of the materials licensing process, The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is consolidating and updating numerous guidance documents into a single comprehensive repository as described in NUREG-1539, "Methodology and Findings of the NRC's Materials Licensing Process Redesign," dated April 1996, and NUREG-1541, "Process and Design for Consolidating and Updating Materials Licensing Guidance," dated April 1996. NUREG-1556, Vol. 20, "Consolidated Guidance About Materials Licenses: Guidance About Administrative Licensing Procedures," dated December 2000, is the twentieth guidance volume developed for the new process and is intended for use by NRC staff. It will also be available to Agreement States, applicants, and licensees. This document combines and updates the guidance for NRC license reviewers and licensing assistants previously found in the documents listed in Appendix A. Figures[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] Foreword[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is using business process redesign (BPR) techniques to redesign its materials licensing process. This effort is described in NUREG-1539, "Methodology and Findings of the NRC's Materials Licensing Process Redesign," dated April 1996. A critical element of the new process is consolidating and updating numerous guidance documents into a series of NUREG reports. Below is a list of volumes currently included in the NUREG-1556 series:
The current document, NUREG-1556, Vol. 20, "Consolidated Guidance About Materials Licenses: Guidance About Administrative Licensing Procedures," dated December 2000, is the twentieth guidance developed for the new process. It is intended for use by NRC license reviewers and licensing assistants. It combines and updates the guidance for NRC licensing staff previously found in the documents listed in Appendix A. A team composed of NRC staff from Headquarters and Regional Offices developed this document, drawing on their collective experience in radiation safety in general and as specifically applied to materials licensing. Representatives of NRC's Office of the General Counsel provided legal perspectives. This guidance represents a step in the transition from the current paper-based process to the new electronic process. This document is available on the Internet at the following address: <http://webwork.nrc.gov:300/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/fr/2005/20050224.pdf>. NUREG-1556, Vol. 20, "Consolidated Guidance About Materials Licenses: Guidance About Administrative Licensing Procedures," dated December 2000, is not a substitute for NRC regulations and compliance is not required. The approaches and methods described in this report are provided for information only. ___________________________________________ Donald A. Cool, Director Acknowledgments[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The writing team thanks the individuals listed below for assisting in the development and review of the report. All participants provided valuable insights, observations, and recommendations. The team also thanks Nora Azzi, Dianne Geshen, Rolonda Jackson, Tamra King, Benedict Llewellyn, and Agi Seaton of Computer Sciences Corporation. The Participants[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] Brown, Carrie The team also wishes to thank the many NRC staff who helped the authors, including Maureen Moriarty, Donna-Beth Howe, Anthony Kirkwood, Traci Kime, Bruce Carrico, Colleen Murnahan, David Collins, Christi Hernandez, Cheryl Buracker, Jack Whitten, Charles Cain, Jacqueline Cook, Susan Greene, Doug Weiss, and Glenda Jackson. Abbreviations[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
1 Purpose of Report[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] This report provides guidance to both NRC license reviewers and licensing assistants on administrative licensing procedures. This guide includes procedures for acknowledging requests for specific or general licensing actions, tracking the progress of actions, maintaining files electronically in ADAMS, preparing licenses or registration certificates, distributing documents, and other miscellaneous administrative matters. It is specifically intended for NRC staff; however, applicants may find this information useful when preparing license applications or requesting the status of licensing actions. This document contains information on inspection frequencies, license fees, and other matters that are subject to change and beyond the control of NRC licensing staff. This information is provided for convenience only. Any questions or issues concerning these matters will be referred to the responsible NRC program office. The applicability of this report is limited to the materials program area currently overseen by the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety (IMNS) in the Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards (NMSS.) Note that many of the guidance documents used to prepare this report are more than 10 years old and required extensive changes to meet NRC's way of doing business in the 21st century. Reorganizations within NRC over the years have resulted in the transfer of oversight responsibilities for some program areas originally under IMNS (i.e., fuel cycle, transportation) to other technical divisions in NMSS. This report is intended for use by the materials program area only. Although some information in this report is applicable to other program areas within NMSS, it is not intended to supersede administrative licensing procedures established by other technical divisions. Volume 20 is provided in loose-leaf form to allow individual sections and/or appendices to be updated as administrative procedures change. Much of the information needed by NRC licensing staff is provided in the appendices. Readers should note the following information:
2 Agreement States[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] Certain states, called Agreement States (see Figure 2.1), have entered into agreements with NRC that give them the authority to license and inspect byproduct, source, or special nuclear materials used or possessed within their borders. Any applicant other than a Federal agency who wishes to possess or use licensed material in one of these Agreement States needs to contact the responsible officials in that State for guidance on preparing an application. These applications should be filed with State officials, not with NRC. In the special situation of work at Federally controlled sites in Agreement States, it is necessary to know the jurisdictional status of the land in order to determine whether NRC or the Agreement State has regulatory authority. NRC has regulatory authority over land determined to be "exclusive Federal jurisdiction," while the Agreement State has jurisdiction over non-exclusive Federal jurisdiction land. Licensees are responsible for finding out, in advance, the jurisdictional status of the specific areas where they plan to conduct licensed operations. NRC recommends that licensees ask their local contact for the Federal agency controlling the site (e.g., contract officer, base environmental health officer, district office staff) to help determine the jurisdictional status of the land and to provide the information in writing, so that licensees can comply with NRC or Agreement State regulatory requirements, as appropriate. Additional guidance on determining jurisdictional status is found in All Agreement States Letter, SP-96-022, dated February 16, 1996. This letter is available at: <http://www.hsrd.ornl.gov/nrc/agstates/other/sp96022.pdf>. Interested parties can also request the letter from STP by calling NRC toll free at (800) 368-5642, extension 415-3340. Table 2.1 provides a quick way to check on that Agency has regulatory authority. Table 2.1 Who Regulates the Activity?
Figure 2.1 U.S. Map. Location of NRC Offices and Agreement States. References: A current list of Agreement States (including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of responsible officials) is available by choosing "Agreement State Directory" on the NRC Office of State and Tribal Programs' (STP's) home page, <http://www.hsrd.ornl.gov/nrc/home.htm>. Interested parties can also request the list from NRC's Regional or Field Offices. 3 Licensing Assistant Guidance[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The purpose of this chapter is to provide licensing assistants (LA) and other appropriate staff members with basic administrative procedures for processing, managing, and tracking licensing actions from the time each action is received by the Agency until the action is issued. The information provided in this chapter is not comprehensive, and it does not fully describe the duties of the LA.
3.1 Licensing Tracking System[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The Licensing Tracking System (LTS) is the computer system for tracking each license issued by NRC for non-reactor activities, except transportation licensing actions under 10 CFR Part 71 (tracked in another database.) In addition to maintaining an electronic record of each license, the LTS is used to individually track each license application from its receipt to completion. The LTS supports a standardized review process and provides licensing and inspection management reports. The LTS allows NRC to provide timely responses to inquiries and specialized, ad hoc queries. Each license application is tracked using a variety of methods to support different reports and queries. 3.1.1 LTS GuidanceNRC users should follow the guidance in the current LTS User's Guide. This User's Guide was revised during the Year 2000 renovation of NRC-maintained systems. If you have questions About the LTS User's Guide or other LTS issues, contact your licensing assistant, or the LTS Administrator at Headquarters (in the Materials Safety and Inspection Branch, Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety.) When a request for a licensing action is received, the LA will create a unique LTS record to track it through the licensing process and will print for an LTS data entry form for each licensing action request for use by the LA or license reviewer. The LTS Administrator enters data and prints forms for some LAs at Headquarters that do not have access to the LTS. It is the responsibility of each license reviewer to review and complete the data entry form using the procedures and formats in the LTS User's Guide and the additional guidance provided in Appendix F. The LTS identifies and tracks the various operations authorized under a license by assigning primary and secondary program codes. Program code descriptions and definitions are provided in Appendix G. 3.1.2 Notice of License ExpirationA Notice of License Expiration letter is sent to each licensee 120 days before its license expires. Each month, the LTS Administrator generates a standard form letter using the LTS. A sample letter is provided in Appendix D. The form letters are addressed to the attention of the Radiation Safety Officer listed in the LTS. The letters vary, depending on the LTS primary program code for the licensee. Applicable forms, regulations, and guidance for preparing applications for license renewal are attached to the letters. Dozens of these letters are issued directly to licensees by the LTS Administrator each month. 3.2 Administrative Procedures[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] 3.2.1 Initial Processing of Incoming Licensing ActionsAll incoming licensing documents shall be entered into the NRC Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS.) Documents are made available to the public in accordance with current procedures (typically after the review is complete.) Documents shall be processed using ADAMS Document Processing Template No. NMSS/RGN Materials-002, "Incoming Licensing-Related Correspondence (Including Incoming Licensing Actions.)" This template is subject to change as NRC gains more experience with the ADAMS computer system. The LA should watch for change notices issued in ADAMS and periodically review and confirm that the licensing staff is using the latest version of templates issued by the OCIO. Documents containing information restricted under the provision of 10 CFR 2.790 should be entered into ADAMS in their entirety, but the file should be profiled in ADAMS as non-publicly available (see Section 4.13 of this NUREG.) The LA is responsible for the receipt processing of all materials license applications. All materials licenses are assigned unique license and docket numbers that are tracked in the LTS database for the life of the license. Each licensing action is assigned a unique mail control number that is tracked in the LTS database from receipt of a request for licensing action to completion. For new licensing actions from existing licensees, the LA will assign and enter a mail control number into the LTS. For new applicants who do not have a license, the LA will assign a mail control number and a unique institution code. The institution code, with the exception of source and special nuclear material licenses, will later be used to assign a license number. The LA will then enter the new licensing action into the LTS, and the LTS will automatically assign a docket number. After completing entries into the LTS, the LA will print the LTS worksheets, create an action folder, and attach the LTS worksheet to the folder. To process the large number of requests for licensing actions effectively and efficiently, each licensing action should receive an acceptance review at the time of its receipt, but not later than 30 days after receipt. This acceptance review can be routinely performed by the LA. For complex licensing actions, the LA may wish to confer with a member of the technical staff. This initial administrative processing does not in any way replace the required technical review specified in the NUREG-1556 series. After the LA conducts an administrative completeness review, the action is ready for the license reviewer to conduct the technical review. Acceptance Review Procedure
The acknowledgment is adequate documentation of the acceptance review. Each acknowledgment should be entered into ADAMS using Document Processing Template No. NMSS/RGN Materials-001, "Outgoing Licensing Correspondence (Including Outgoing Licensing Actions.)" 3.2.2 Responsibility for Review of License ApplicationsTo insure uniform handling of license applications between licensees and Regions, and to minimize licensing and inspection conflicts, the responsibility for reviewing a license application should be assigned to the Region where the licensed activities are inspected. In most cases where an application or license authorizes the use of material in more than one Region, the mailing address of the parent company should be used to determine the Region that will conduct the review and issue the license. Certain types of licenses and certificates are reviewed and issued by NMSS staff at Headquarters (e.g., exempt distribution licenses, sealed source and device registration certificates, certain source and special nuclear materials licenses, registration certificates for in vitro testing with byproduct material under general license, etc..) Contact the Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety in NMSS if it is unclear who has responsibility for the review. 3.2.3 Processing Misdirected Materials Licensing ApplicationsApplications that licensees mistakenly send to Headquarters, either to the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) or to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), will be handled in the following manner:
Applications that are mistakenly directed to the Regions should be handled in a similar manner, whether they are Headquarters' or another Region's responsibility, including general license registration forms (see Section 3.2.9) and any other submittal that should go to another office. The appropriate licensing office should write or telephone the licensee to remind them to send future correspondence to the proper address. The above procedures should ensure that the original misdirected application is forwarded to the appropriate office within five to seven days. 3.2.4 Follow-up on Mail Returned from LicenseesA small fraction of mail sent to licensees is returned to NRC marked "undeliverable." It is extremely important that the LA follow up on these cases. Mail returned to NRC may indicate a number of problems, ranging from a clerical error to loss of control of a licensed program. The procedure listed below should be followed with regard to returned mail:
3.2.5 Follow-up on Expired Material LicensesThe identification and investigation of expired licenses is an important part of the material licensing and inspection program. The following procedure for expired licenses should be followed:
3.2.6 Preparation and Distribution of Completed Licensing DocumentsCompleted licensing documents shall be prepared and distributed per ADAMS Document Processing Template No. NMSS/RGN Materials-001, "Outgoing Licensing Correspondence." These templates and corresponding instructions are subject to change as NRC gains more experience with ADAMS. The LA should watch for template change notices and periodically confirm that the licensing staff is using the latest version of the template.
3.2.7 Availability, Security, and Integrity of Material License FilesThe Agency's hard copy docket files are maintained in the Headquarters File Center for licenses issued by NMSS and the Regional docket file rooms for licenses issued by the Regions. Starting in April 2000, NRC began managing all official docket files in the ADAMS computer system. ADAMS is NRC's new electronic records storage and retrieval system. It is anticipated that ADAMS will reduce the need to maintain paper-based record collections. Additionally, ADAMS replaces the Nuclear Documents System (NUDOCS), the Public Document Room's Bibliographic Retrieval System (BRS), and the Regulatory Information Distribution System (RIDS.) Most of NRC's Official Agency Records (OARs) and other non-record reference materials will be maintained in ADAMS. ADAMS will store OARs including programmatic and administrative records that were kept in paper recordkeeping systems, with the exception of unclassified safeguards information and other sensitive records determined to be inappropriate for electronic maintenance. The staff will add records to ADAMS using the guidance provided in the appropriate final ADAMS Document Templates located in the ADAMS Document Manager. An OAR is statutorily defined in the Federal Records Act as a -- book, paper, map, photograph, machine readable material, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by an Agency of the United States Government under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that Agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the Government or because of the informational value of data contained in these materials. Library and museum material made or acquired and preserved solely for reference or exhibition purposes, extra copies of documents preserved only for convenience of reference, and stocks of publications and processed documents are not included in the definition of the term "Official Agency Record" (36 CFR Part 1220.) Some examples of documents that contain OARs requiring preservation under Federal regulations are as follows:
The partial listing of materials and publications below will provide further information on this subject:
3.2.8 Coordinators for Certain Federal OrganizationsCertain Federal organizations coordinate licensing actions through a central office. These coordinators may support a single, multisite license, master material license, or a license that controls several, specific licenses issued to the same Federal organization. The coordinators for these Federal organizations are listed in Appendix H. Because these coordinators are subject to change, it is anticipated that NMSS will update and reissue Appendix H periodically to keep the list current. 3.2.9 Processing General License Registration CertificatesThis section provides guidance to IMNS licensing staff for processing NRC Form 244, "Registration Certificate - Use of Depleted Uranium under General License" and NRC Form 483, "Registration Certificate - In Vitro Testing with Byproduct Material under General License." Copies of the forms are provided in Appendix B. NRC Form 244: The regulations in 10 CFR 40.25 grant a general license to persons who receive, acquire, possess, use, or transfer depleted uranium contained in industrial products or devices for the purpose of providing a concentrated mass in a small volume of the product or device. Such use only applies to industrial products or devices that have been manufactured or initially transferred under a specific license issued pursuant to 10 CFR 40.34(a) or under an equivalent Agreement State license. Applicants for a general license under 10 CFR 40.25 must register with the Commission by filing NRC Form 244 and receive an acknowledgment of the registration before receiving byproduct material under the general license. NRC Form 483: The regulations in 10 CFR 31.11 grant a general license to any physician, veterinarian in the practice of veterinary medicine, clinical laboratory, or hospital for the possession and use of specified byproduct material "in prepackaged units" not exceeding certain quantities for in vitro (outside the body) clinical or laboratory testing. Such testing, under the provisions of a general license, must not involve the direct administration of this type of byproduct material to human beings or animals. Applicants for a general license under 10 CFR 31.11 must register with the Commission by filing NRC Form 483 and receive an acknowledgment of the registration before receiving byproduct material under the general license. IMNS Responsibilities
Registration Requirements NRC Form 244
NRC Form 483
The in vitro testing must not involve the internal or external administration of byproduct material, or the radiation therefrom, to human beings or animals. "Prepackaged units" include individual reagent vials, radioassay kits, and/or calibration sources. Processing of NRC Forms 244 and 483 IMNS will process NRC Forms 244 and 483 as follows:
3.2.10 Processing Reciprocity Applications (Form 241)This section provides guidance to licensing staff on processing NRC Form 241, "Report of Proposed Activities in Non-Agreement States, Areas of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction, or Offshore Waters," and licensee-requested revisions to NRC Form 241. Agreement State licensees wishing to perform licensed activities in non-Agreement States, areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction in Agreement States, or in Federal offshore waters are subject to the general license regulations in 10 CFR 150.20. Under this provision, the Commission recognizes and allows certain Agreement State licensees to work in areas of NRC jurisdiction under their Agreement State license.
Jurisdiction NRC/Agreement State jurisdiction can be very complex. Reviewers should refer to the definitions and guidance in Volume 19 of NUREG-1556, "Consolidated Guidance About Materials Licenses: Guidance for Agreement State Licensees About NRC Form 241 'Report of Proposed Activities in Non-Agreement States, Areas of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction, or Offshore Waters' and Guidance for NRC Licensees Proposing to Work in Agreement State Jurisdiction (Reciprocity)," to determine whether NRC has jurisdiction over the proposed activities. Responsibilities and Authorities Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS Maintain the computer-based Reciprocity Tracking System (RTS.) The RTS is necessary for tracking reciprocity activities, assisting in the planning of inspections of reciprocity activities, and providing summaries of reciprocity activities and inspections on an Agencywide basis. IMNS is also responsible for establishing the procedures and guidelines for processing NRC Form 241. Regional Offices
Form 241 Requirements
Processing of NRC Form 241 Agreement State licensees are required to report their proposed activities in non-Agreement States to the NRC Regional Administrator of the Region in that the Agreement State is located. The Regional Office shall take the following actions in processing NRC Form 241:
Retention and Disposal of Reciprocity Licensing Documents All reciprocity licensing documents, including the initial NRC Form 241s, authorized revisions, clarifications, and 10 CFR 2.790 requests, must be retained and/or destroyed in accordance with the approved records disposition schedules contained in NUREG-0910, "NRC Comprehensive Records Disposition Schedule." NRC Schedule 2-24.4.d requires that license files be retained for 20 years after license termination. Documents associated with a Form 241 should be retained for 20 years following the year for that the Form 241 was in effect. 4 License Reviewer Guidance[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] 4.1 Introduction[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] This chapter provides guidance and criteria to the license reviewer for processing license applications for new applicants, amendments and renewals. This guidance assumes that applications will be filed and reviewed in accordance with the guidance set forth in the NUREG-1556 series. If the licensee does not use the NUREG-1556 series, the review of the applicant's submittal may take longer to complete. Reviewers should use, as a minimum, all available NUREG-1556 tools, including process, criteria, and checklists, when reviewing license applications to standardize and simplify the review process. An applicant may request authorization to use licensed materials in more than one program type. In this case, the reviewer would need to use more than one NUREG volume to review the application. A complete list of the documents in the NUREG-1556 series is located in the Foreword to this document. The reviewer should review and compare the specific licensing criteria for each program type to identify the common criteria and the unique issues. The applicant's radiation safety program must adequately address all of the criteria for each program type to be authorized; however, reviewers should avoid requesting information not identified in the NUREG. When adding new or multiple program types to a single license, the reviewer should refer to Inspection Manual Chapter 2800 to identify the program code with the highest inspection priority. The program code with the highest inspection priority should be identified as the primary program code in the LTS, and this program code will dictate the inspection frequency for this license. If the NUREG series does not request information thought to be critical to a particular licensing action, Headquarters should be informed so that the guidance can be revised, if necessary, to include the information. If additional guidance beyond the information provided in the NUREG series is needed, this information should be requested in a technical assistance request (TAR.) Reviewers should refer to Section 4.14 for specific guidance About TARs. 4.2 Processing New Applications[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] Applicants for new licenses are expected to provide all the information specified on NRC Form 313, "Application for Material License." All items in the application should be completed in enough detail for the reviewer to determine that the proposed equipment, facilities, training and experience, and radiation safety program satisfy regulatory requirements and are adequate to protect public health and minimize danger to life and property. The reviewer should perform a comprehensive review of the application. This review should consist of a comparison of all material submitted by the applicant, with the requirements in the appropriate regulations, guidance provided in the appropriate NUREG-1556 volume, and guidance supplemented in relevant TAR responses.
Sections of the application that do not conform to, or fail to address areas in the appropriate guidance, become deficiencies that must be resolved before the license is issued. The application should be reviewed against the checklist/suggested format in the appropriate NUREG-1556 volume(s.) All deficiencies should be clearly documented and communicated to the applicant. Reviewers should apply the guidance in the NUREG-1556 series to the extent suitable to the applicant's proposed activities and should not apply any standards or criteria for that there is no specific regulatory basis. Reviewers should accept only procedures or proposals that result in a level of safety at least equivalent to that provided for in NRC guidance. 4.3 Processing Amendments[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The licensee is obligated to keep the license current. If any of the information provided in the original application changes in a way that requires an amendment to the license as specified in the NUREG-1556 series, or in any way affects specific items concerning NRC jurisdiction, the licensee must submit an application for a license amendment to reflect the change, before the change takes place. The licensee should identify the specific changes in the amendment request and discuss the basis for the changes. The reviewer should focus the evaluation on only those areas that the licensee indicates need revision. If the licensee completely resubmits the entire application, the reviewer should request that the licensee specifically identify the requested changes. The licensee may opt to resubmit the request and only discuss the specific changes, or may identify the changes by marking or highlighting the modified text. 4.4 Processing Renewals[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] NMSS has developed a license renewal system that primarily focuses resources on applications from licensees whose performance indicates potential programmatic weaknesses, and on licenses with program areas that have undergone major changes that could affect radiation safety. Each renewal application will be screened against a specific set of performance indicators, discussed in this section, to determine whether the application will receive a comprehensive or limited review. 4.4.1 Determining Review StatusThe first task for the reviewer is to review the Docket file(s) and inspection and licensing correspondence, and query NRC data bases (such as the Nuclear Materials Events Database (NMED) and the Licensee Event Reports (LERs)) to compare the licensee's effectiveness against the specified performance indicators. An application submitted by a licensee that demonstrates the presence of one or more of these performance indicators will receive a Comprehensive Review. Applications from licensees who do not exhibit any of these performance indicators will receive the Limited Review. The technical review and evaluation of each renewal application will be documented using the checklist in Appendix C, entitled, "Performance Evaluation checklist." However, based on an evaluation of the specific circumstances associated with the presence of a performance indicator, NRC licensing management may decide that a comprehensive review is not warranted. NRC licensing management reserves the option to request that the licensing staff perform a comprehensive review of a renewal even though the application is from a licensee that does not trigger any of the formal performance indicators but that may exhibit other characteristics warranting a comprehensive review. These particular management decisions must also be documented in the performance evaluation checklist. 4.4.2 Performance IndicatorsThe reviewer should complete the performance indicators on the checklist provided in Appendix C using the following guidance. This checklist serves as an OAR because it contains the technical basis of a decision not documented elsewhere.
4.4.3 Comprehensive ReviewsReviewers should conduct the same comprehensive review required for new applications. Please refer to Section 4.2, Processing New Applications, for guidance. 4.4.4 Limited ReviewsReviewers should use the limited review checklist in Appendix C. A limited review of a renewal application will only evaluate the following areas for conformance with the guidance from the appropriate NUREG-1556 volume on the content of the application:
4.5 Deficiency Letters, Calls, Faxes, and E-mails[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] Once issues and deficiencies have been identified in an application, the license reviewer should use the most efficient process available to fully communicate issues to licensees, document the request, and elicit the appropriate applicant response. The reviewer should use the telephone, facsimile, and e-mail to communicate with licensees, thereby reducing reliance on formal letters. All substantive communications must be clearly documented. Draft documents from the applicant should not be accepted or scanned into ADAMS and cannot be used as the basis for a licensing action. Efforts should also be directed to improving, reducing, and eliminating reviewers' requests for additional information. Ensure that each requested item for additional information is clear (i.e., provides a description of the deficiency and a statement of what is needed); is essential to protect safety; and is linked to regulatory requirements and NUREG-1556. Once a request for information (deficiency letter, telephone call, facsimile, or e-mail) is sent to the licensee, the action is tracked in the LTS database. The time parameters for certain actions outlined below are based on "tickler" dates established in the LTS and can be extended, if necessary, as approved by supervisors. Application for a New License or for an Amendment A. Complex Deficiencies
B. Simple Deficiencies
Application for License Renewal A. Complex Deficiencies
B. Simple Deficiencies To accelerate issuance of a renewal, reviewers are encouraged to use the telephone, facsimile, or e-mail, as described above, for new applications and amendments. If the licensee does not respond to the confirmatory letter, the reviewer should proceed to deny the renewal, as described in Section 4.11. Extensions A request from an applicant for an extension of time to respond to any correspondence About its application may be granted if it is determined that there is good cause to grant an extension. Appropriate LTS milestone date changes should be made by the LA to track each application properly and record extensions of time for responses. The reviewer should keep NRC management informed of licensees' continued requests for extensions. 4.6 Creating the License[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] 4.6.1 Standard Licenses and Standard License ConditionsFor consistency within NRC Regions and Headquarters, the license reviewer should use the sample licenses from the appropriate NUREG series volume as a standard when creating a license for an applicant. Some instances may exist where the reviewer may need to customize a license. Since an applicant may request authorization to use licensed materials in more than one program type, the reviewer may need to review the sample licenses in more than one NUREG series volume and then combine the pertinent license conditions into a single license, where appropriate. In some complex licensing cases (i.e., waste broker activities), it may be best to issue separate licenses. The reviewer should also refer to Inspection Manual Chapter 2800 to identify the program code with the highest priority for inspection. The program code that identifies the highest inspection priority (shortest inspection cycle) should be the primary program code in the LTS, as this program code will dictate the inspection frequency for the license. In some specific instances, an applicant may request authorization to conduct special activities in a program that is non-routine and not included in the sample license. The reviewer should refer to the approved list of standard license conditions in Appendix E. The standard conditions are organized in categories of authorization. Use of standard license conditions should not substitute for obtaining information from applicants and licensees. Reviewers should first try to obtain commitments that will be captured by the tie-down condition rather than creating new conditions. 4.6.2 Non-Standard License ConditionsWhen reviewing applications, if there are simple issues that the licensee did not address, even after being asked to provide the information in a deficiency request, the reviewer should use custom license conditions to achieve closure rather than protracted negotiations with the applicant. Simple issues are the requests for information identified in the NUREG-1556 series or existing technical guidance outlined in TARs. The reviewer should use standard license conditions whenever possible; however, custom conditions may be used when necessary. The license reviewer should write the custom license condition to state the requirement clearly and simply. Custom conditions should be approved by the appropriate branch chief, and the approval should be documented (e.g., e-mail, note to file.) This strategy is intended to streamline the licensing process to be more responsive to stakeholders, to empower staff, and to reduce management reviews. Issues not currently addressed in the NUREG series and thought to be critical to a specific type of licensing action should continue to be coordinated with Headquarters. If the Region believes that a special condition is appropriate, it should also be coordinated through Headquarters. In addition, license reviewers should explain these conditions to inspection staff and licensees to ensure that all parties have the same understanding, especially those unique to a specific type of licensee. It is anticipated that license reviewers will provide an explanation in the cover letter issuing the license or call the licensee before issuing a license with non-standard license conditions. 4.6.3 Establishing License Expiration DatesThe Commission approved the extension of the terms set by policy for licenses issued under 10 CFR Parts 30 (except Part 35), 40, and 70 from 5 to 10 years in 1997. In 1998, final rulemaking was published to set the license term limit for medical use (Part 35) licenses to 10 years. Now all of these materials licenses have the same 10-year license term limit. The Commission's actions also approved the use of license terms shorter than 10 years on a case-specific basis. Any license issued or renewed after July 10, 1998 (when the medical use license term limit was changed to 10 years) should have a 10-year term limit, unless management determines, on a case-by-case basis, that a license should be issued for fewer than 10 years. Some examples of conditions that may exist for licenses issued for fewer than 10 years are: New Technology: The license authorizes a new high-risk technology that the industry, the particular licensee, or NRC has not had extensive experience in using or regulating. Enforcement History: The licensee, in the last inspection or 5 years (thatever is longer), had a Severity Level I, II, or III violation. Possession-Only: The license authorizes possession and storage only. When no other activities are authorized, there is no principal activity for the licensee to cease. Therefore, the requirements to notify NRC and undertake decommissioning do not apply. These licenses will be renewed every 2 years for a 2-year term, and decommissioning issues will be addressed at that time. Other: Other situations that would warrant increased attention. These conditions will be addressed by the licensing staff on a case-specific basis. Use the checklist in Appendix C "New and Renewal - License Term," to document the license term, the basis for the decision, and the basis for an exemption, if required. This checklist is designated an OAR because the basis of a decision is not documented elsewhere. If the license reviewer recommends that the license term should be shorter than 10 years, a term of 5 years is typically used. Other terms may be approved on a case-specific basis. NRC management must approve all license terms shorter than 10 years. 4.6.4 Issuance of Final Licensing Action
4.7 Guidance for Multisite Licenses[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] NRC on occasion receives applications for new licenses, amendments, and renewals ("applications") that request authorization for use of NRC licensed material at multiple sites under one license. Many of these applications represent categories of licensees for that multiple locations of use have not been routinely authorized. The purpose of this section is to ensure that applications requesting authorization for multiple sites of use under one license (including amendment requests that expand a licensed program to multisite) are identified and have radiation safety programs that are adequate, both in scope and in depth, to oversee safe use of licensed material at each facility; however, this section does not apply to certain categories of licenses that, by specific license condition, routinely authorize multiple locations of use (i.e., broad-scope, mobile medical service, and master material licenses) or licenses authorizing temporary job sites. Furthermore, this section highlights general radiation safety management concerns specific to multisite licenses and in no way attempts to define necessary radiation safety management structures for every type of licensed activity. The license reviewer will need to tailor the review to the type of license under consideration. Information in NUREG-1516, "Management of Radioactive Material Safety Programs at Medical Facilities," may be of assistance during review of multisite license applications. Focus of Review During the review of the licensee's radiation safety program and management oversight, the license reviewer should pay particular attention to delegation of responsibility and established, reciprocal lines of communication between users and management. Regardless of the number of sites authorized under one license or the geographic distance between these sites, the adequacy of the overall radiation safety management structure must be reviewed to ensure safe operations at each site. Description of Multisite A multisite license is one that authorizes two or more locations of use that are specifically identified on the license. Such authorized locations will typically include either (1) stand-alone facilities that would otherwise be licensed individually or (2) satellite facilities that are not located within the principal job site and for that NRC-licensed activities are ongoing, with the exception of temporary job sites, broad scope licensees, or mobile nuclear medicine services. A multisite facility may also include those groups of licensees for that the addresses of use are geographically separated. These facilities may each be under the direction of a single corporate RSO, or they may have site RSOs who report to a corporate RSO. The corporate RSO is usually the RSO of record on the license. Furthermore, the nature of licensed material use and licensed operations (e.g., medical versus industrial) should be the same at each site. Licensed material uses currently licensed separately as a result of NRC policy should continue to be licensed separately (e.g., teletherapy.) Multisite Examples
Number of Sites A specific limit to the number of sites permitted on a multisite license is not practical for generic application to all licensees; rather, the reviewer should assess applications on a case-by-case basis. The basis for determining the appropriate number of sites for a specific licensee should include the following considerations: (1) inspection history and (2) adequacy of licensee management structure for the type, scope, and geographic distribution of the program. All sites approved for use of NRC-licensed materials should be identified on the license when issued. Communication In those cases where there are multiple oversight levels proposed, the applicant should clearly address communication and accountability systems, including--
Records As provided for in 10 CFR 30.52, each licensee is to make its radiation safety records available for NRC review, after receiving reasonable notice from NRC. The license application should specify point-of-contact information for NRC notification and inquiry About records. The licensee may also choose to identify locations where the records will be maintained for NRC review. Additional Program Areas for Review The licensee should provide specific information, including the following areas:
4.8 Opportunity for an Informal Hearing - Materials Licensing[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The purpose of this section is to provide license reviewers with basic information relevant to hearing rights associated with materials licensing. An aggrieved member of the public has the right to request a hearing on any materials licensing action. The Atomic Energy Act does not, however, require that formal notice (in the Federal Register) be given for materials licensing actions or that hearings held on materials licensing actions be of a formal nature. Accordingly, the Commission has provided informal procedures for materials licensing actions and any hearings held on such actions, that are set forth in Subpart L of 10 CFR Part 2, "Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudications in Materials and Operator Licensing Proceedings." Reviewers should become familiar with the provisions of this Subpart. Specifically, reviewers should be aware that in many materials licensing actions, notices are not published in the Federal Register. In such instances, a member of the public may request a hearing on the action within (1) 30 days of receiving actual notice of a pending application or (2) within 180 days after NRC action granting an action in whole or part (10 CFR 2.1205(d)(2).) Although the Commission is under no specific regulatory requirement to publish a Federal Register notice of a materials licensing action, in most cases such a notice is required whenever the staff makes an environmental assessment (see Section 4.10 of this NUREG.) After NRC's technical review, any draft or final finding of no significant impact with respect to a proposed action must be published in the Federal Register (see 10 CFR 51.33 and 51.35(a).) The Federal Register notice should include a specific reference to Subpart L and the opportunity for a hearing. Although unusual, reviewers should be aware that there have been occasions where members of the public have filed a request for a hearing on the staff (EDO), in conformance with 10 CFR 2.1205(f)(2), but have failed to comply with 10 CFR 2.1203, requiring that the hearing request also be filed with (submitted to) the Secretary of the Commission. When a reviewer becomes aware of a hearing request filed on the staff, he should determine whether the request has also been filed with the Secretary. If the license reviewer determines that the request from a member of the public was not filed with the Secretary of the Commission, the license reviewer should discuss the matter with the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the General Counsel before proceeding with any additional activities or notifications. 4.9 Licensing Site Visits[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] Licensing visits should be conducted for all new byproduct material applications involving large programs or license programs that present significant or unique technical issues. Additional guidance is provided below. Purpose of Licensing Visits Licensing site visits are conducted by the responsible license reviewer or a designated inspection staff member in order to accomplish one or more of the following objectives:
Licensing Visits for New License Applications Licensing visits should be conducted for the following types of new license applications:
Licensing Visits for Amendments Licensing visits should be conducted for any license amendment requesting a new authorization for the types of operations listed above. Licensing visits are also encouraged by NMSS for amendments involving significant modification to the types of operations listed above. Licensing Visits for Renewals Licensing visits are encouraged by NMSS for renewals involving the types of activities listed above; however, in many cases, resource limitations can make this difficult for the Regions to support. For each significant renewal, an evaluation of proposed licensee program changes and inspection history should be performed. If the Regional staff concludes that there are not significant program changes or unresolved licensing issues, and that a licensing visit would not be cost-effective, then a licensing visit need not be performed. 4.10 Categorical Exclusions for Materials Licensing Actions[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] 4.10.1 Introduction10 CFR Part 51 contains NRC's regulations implementing the Guidelines of the Council on Environmental Quality requiring the preparation of environmental impact statements pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA.) The basic policy on environmental assessments, environmental statements, and findings of no significant impact for most materials licensing actions are covered by "categorical exclusions" outlined in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(10) and (14) and therefore do not require environmental analyses. A categorical exclusion is defined as a category of actions "that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and that the Commission has found to have no such effect in accordance with procedures set out in 10 CFR 51.22, and for that neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required." The next two subsections provide guidance on determining when materials license actions qualify for categorical exclusion in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 and identify examples of licensing actions that are not covered by categorical exclusion. 4.10.2 Licensing Actions Eligible for Categorical ExclusionLicense Actions That Qualify for Categorical Exclusion under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(i) through (xv) License actions that clearly qualify for categorical exclusion - License actions that clearly qualify for categorical exclusion under the provision of 10 CFR 51.22, with the exception of license termination actions, are not required to have an Environmental Assessment (EA) or documentation in the license file specific to the issue of an EA. Such categorically excluded license actions do not need to be coordinated with NMSS with regard to whether an EA is needed. License actions that qualify for categorical exclusion after NRC's staff has completed additional technical and/or license-based justifications - Such categorically excluded license actions do not need an EA, nor do they need to be coordinated with NMSS with regard to the necessity of an EA. Unless otherwise stated below, the licensing staff is required to place in the license file written justification to support the determination that an EA is not needed. Examples of license actions that will need either documentation or justification are discussed below.
Documentation that supports the licensee's application as meeting the above criteria is sufficient to support why an EA is not needed. For license actions that cannot meet the above criteria, the Regions should coordinate with IMNS to determine whether an EA is needed. For example, an EA would be required for discrete sources released to the environment, that originated onsite, and that may not be recovered at the conclusion of the study or decommissioning. License Actions That Qualify for Categorical Exclusion under 10 CFR 51.22 (c)(14)(xvi) License actions not specifically listed in Category 14 of 10 CFR 51.22 will require a TAR to IMNS. To expedite the processing of the TAR, the Regions should perform an initial technical assessment, to be enclosed with the TAR, to justify why the licensing action qualifies for categorical exclusion under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi.) The Commission indicated to the staff in SECY-83-286 that there should be careful documentation in cases where these categorical exclusions are applied. Appendix I provides examples of the specific type of information that should be submitted to Headquarters to assist Headquarters staff in preparing this documentation. When a TAR is received from the Region, IMNS will review the documentation and determine if the action qualifies for a categorical exclusion. IMNS then will provide a memorandum to the Regions, documenting the results that need to be included in the official license file. Generic Application of Previous License Actions That Qualified under Categorical Exclusion If a previous technical and/or license-based analysis had been performed by IMNS or DWM that bounded the environmental radiological hazards or impacts to the public for the specific generic issue under consideration, and the Region believes its specific license action is within the safety envelope of the previous generic analysis, the Region need only cite the previous generic analysis. The Region should document its rationale for making this assessment and file copies of the previous analysis and its rationale in the license file. No coordination with NMSS is necessary. If the previous analysis referenced categorical exclusion 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi), the documentation shall include the original memorandum from the Director, IMNS, or his delegate. 4.10.3 Licensing Actions Not Eligible for Categorical ExclusionLicensing actions for the following activities are not covered by categorical exclusions:
Any application not covered by a categorical exclusion should be coordinated with Headquarters as soon as possible so that specific guidance can be provided. Any application involving an activity not covered by a categorical exclusion will require the staff to develop an EA, in accordance with 10 CFR 51.21. Headquarters staff should refer to NMSS Policy and Procedures Letter 1-48, "Procedures for Preparing Environmental Assessments." If the EA demonstrates that the proposed activity will not have an adverse impact on the environment, the staff will document this finding through a finding of no significant impact (FONSI.) If the EA indicates that the proposed licensing action may have an adverse impact on the environment, the staff will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with 10 CFR 51.20. Headquarters staff should refer to NMSS Policy and Procedures Letter 1-50, "Environmental Justice in NEPA Documents." Note: NMSS Policy and Procedures Letters are office letters maintained by the Program Management, Policy Development and Analysis Staff in NMSS. 4.11 Criteria for Denying Applications - Material Licenses[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] General Guidance Applications for material licenses should only be denied pursuant to 10 CFR 2.103(b) if the staff cannot make the findings required by the regulations (e.g., 10 CFR 30.33, 40.32, or 70.23, as appropriate) because either:
To ensure that denials, where appropriate, are issued in a timely manner, it is important for the licensing staff to perform follow-up on oral and written communications with applicants. In special situations, they should grant extensions for replies and prepare denial correspondence in accordance with this NUREG. License reviewers should note that applicants have the right to request a hearing concerning the denial pursuant to 10 CFR Part 2 (see Section 4.8 of this NUREG.) Sample denial letters informing applicants of this right and providing other information supporting the denial are provided in Appendix J. Guidance for Unusual Cases As early in the review process as possible, identify and coordinate with NMSS any application--
Early identification and coordination with Headquarters staff on these issues is needed to ensure that the staff promptly prepares a letter of denial, if appropriate, or that Regional and Headquarters staff agree on an appropriate strategy for handling the application. The low frequency of issuance of denials necessitates case-by-case consideration. 4.12 Significant Licensing Actions That Warrant Onsite Inspection[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The Incident Investigation Team, who investigated the 1992 therapy misadministration that occurred in Indiana, Pennsylvania, recommended that the staff conduct inspections of licensees whose programs have significantly changed or expanded since the last routine inspection. As a result, both short- and long-term action items were implemented to address this issue. A checklist is provided in Appendix C for determining when a significant licensing action has taken place that may warrant a near-term onsite inspection. The selection criteria should not be considered all-inclusive, as there may be unique indicators that suggest that a licensed program has changed significantly. Significant licensing actions identified by the license reviewer should be brought to the attention of licensing and inspection managers so that appropriate action is taken to make an assessment if there is a need for the Region to conduct an onsite inspection. A sample memorandum is provided in Appendix C. All license reviewers should understand the elements of the checklist and complete it for significant amendment or renewal licensing actions. The checklist need not be retained as an OAR if no inspection is recommended; however, if an inspection is recommended, the checklist should become an OAR. 4.13 Processing of Exemptions for Material Licensees[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] This section provides guidance to the Regions for processing requests for exemptions. Material licensees may be granted exemptions from NRC regulations pursuant to 10 CFR 30.11, 40.14, and 70.14. Applicants requesting exemptions must provide sufficient information for the license reviewer to determine that the proposed exemption is authorized by law; will not endanger life, property, or the common defense and security; and is otherwise in the public interest. Appendix K provides additional guidance on routine exemptions keyed to specific sections of the regulation. Some exemptions may be granted on a temporary basis, as explained below.
General Guidance Exemptions The exemptions to specific regulations contained in Appendix K may be granted by the Regions without coordination with Headquarters. All requests for exemptions to the regulations must not present an undue risk to public health and safety and must be consistent with the common defense and security. The exemption request must be accompanied by--
Each Appendix K section describes the specific part(s) of a regulation that may be considered for exemption, outlines any other commitments or additional information that the licensee must submit before issuance of the exemption, and provides the license condition to be issued upon review and determination that the exemption can be granted. Temporary Exemptions for Humanitarian or Emergency Reasons The Regions may grant a temporary exemption to NRC regulations or license conditions, on a case-by-case basis, without referral to the Director, IMNS, NMSS, in certain circumstances; however, the exemption request should be discussed with IMNS whenever possible. Temporary exemptions may be appropriate in circumstances where--
A temporary exemption should be granted only after a determination has been made that the circumstances surrounding the request are urgent and temporary and that an exemption will not endanger life, property, or the common defense and security, and that it is otherwise in the public interest. Such exemptions should not be exercised repeatedly for the same set of circumstances for the same licensee. All licensee requests for a temporary exemption to the regulation must be accompanied by--
The licensee's request should normally be faxed to the Director, DNMS within the appropriate NRC Region. The Director, DNMS at each NRC Region is authorized to grant the exemption request per Management Directive 9.29, "Organization and Function: Regional Offices"; however, if circumstances do not permit time for the fax, the licensee may make the request orally and read or describe the above information to the NRC staff. The oral request must be followed up within 24 hours with written documentation. The follow-up written request must confirm the information submitted orally and upon that NRC specifically relied when granting the exemption. This specific type of exemption may be granted orally by the Director, DNMS. After granting the request, the Director, DNMS shall promptly send a letter to the licensee. This letter should follow the standard format provided in Appendix D, that documents the circumstances surrounding the temporary exemption request, a statement as to whether the exemption was granted, and the duration of the exemption. The letter signed by the Director, DNMS should include the appropriate licensing action and should normally be issued within three working days of granting the request. Concurrent with issuing the license, an entry must be made into the LTS. The ADAMS accession number identifies the OAR of the letter sent to the licensee and should be sent to the Office of Enforcement and the Director, IMNS, NMSS. Exemptions Requiring Coordination with NMSS All requests for exemptions not described above should be considered as non-routine and should be forwarded, in a TAR, to the appropriate NMSS Division Director. The Regions should closely follow the guidance contained in Section 4.16 for TARs and submission of exemption requests for consideration of approval. All exemption requests should be entered into the LTS and ADAMS upon receipt. Examples of exemptions that require coordination with NMSS before processing by the Region, that also should be recorded in the LTS and ADAMS, are provided below. Additionally, when an exemption is being considered by NMSS, the Region should submit its evaluation of the merits of the exemption from a technical standpoint, as well as any generic implications, such as a need for rulemaking. Examples of Exemptions Requiring Coordination with NMSS
Administrative Procedures for Issuing Exemptions When granting an exemption or temporary exemption to a licensee, the reviewer should describe the specific exemption in the cover letter accompanying the amendment authorizing the exemption. This cover letter should include any special provisions or conditions associated with this exemption. Additionally, the reviewer should record the exemption on the LTS worksheet and identify the specific section of the regulation to that the exemption was granted. Refer to Appendix F for specific guidance About entering and controlling data integrity in the LTS. 4.14 Technical Assistance Request - Material Licensees[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The purpose of this section is to provide procedures for the preparation and processing of TARs related to material, including sealed source and device evaluations; and issues involving the storage, use, and disposal of radioactive material. These instructions pertain to all TARs submitted by the Regions to the NMSS, including those for sealed source and device design evaluations. Regional Preparation of TARs Regional Division Directors will submit all TARs, except those requiring sealed source and device design evaluations going to IMNS, using the TAR form and instructions provided in Appendix B. This request should be submitted electronically with any needed attachments. TARs should be placed in ADAMS and designated non-publicly available. Electronically submitted versions of the TAR should be sent by the Region to the lead Division Director in NMSS, with a copy to the IMNS secretary. For information that may not be electronically available (e.g., medical consultant's reports), indicate in the electronically submitted version those attachments that could not be sent electronically and indicate on the TAR form that they will be sent with the hard copy of the TAR. The TAR provided by the Regions will--w
When submitting a TAR as part of the licensing process, the Regional LA shall change the milestone in the LTS to 19 and change the license reviewer code to A2 to identify IMNS. When the Region receives a final response to the TAR from Headquarters, the Region shall change the milestone in the LTS to 20, and the reviewer code should be changed back to the Regional reviewer's code. Sealed Source and Device (SSD) Evaluations Sealed source and device (SSD) evaluations will be performed by the Sealed Source Safety Staff (SSSS) in IMNS, not by the Regions. IMNS will deal directly with the applicant to resolve any deficiencies in the SSD application. Although an applicant may apply directly to IMNS for an SSD evaluation under 10 CFR 32.210, license applications submitted to the Regions may require an SSD evaluation also. The portion of the application requiring an SSD evaluation should be sent to IMNS using NRC Form 567, not a TAR Form (see Appendix B.) NRC Form 567 is available in the InForms application on the NRC computer system. When submitting an NRC Form 567, the Regional LA shall change the milestone in the LTS to 19 and change the license reviewer code to I5 for "Custom Review." The Region should inform the applicant that an SSD evaluation is needed and advise them that someone from IMNS may be contacting them if additional information is needed. Coordination of the final licensing action will be negotiated by Regional and IMNS reviewers on a case-by-case basis. The use of sealed sources and devices often has a significant impact on the applicant's facility and operations. Regional reviewers may be an integral part of the SSD evaluation process. Upon completion of the review, IMNS will send a letter, with a copy of the registration certificate, to the applicant and the regional license reviewer (as appropriate.) The Regions will receive a monthly report on the status of all SSD pending cases, independent of the weekly Division Response Action Tracking program (DRAT) report on open TARs. The LTS milestones and license reviewer codes should be changed as appropriate for the final licensing action. Headquarters Processing of TARs When the TAR and associated documents are received, the lead Division will assign the TAR and notify the IMNS secretary of the due date and person assigned to complete the task. The TAR will be entered into the IMNS DRAT, be designated as having been received, and be assigned a DRAT number with a specific due date of ten working days from the date of receipt. The responding branch will perform a completeness review of the TAR with a goal of within 5 working days, but not to exceed ten working days from its assignment to a Headquarters reviewer. The purpose of the completeness review is to ensure that all the information is included that will be needed by the Headquarters reviewer to prepare a response. TARs that were deemed complete through the completeness review will be assigned a completion due date in DRAT by the appropriate supervisor. If the TAR package is incomplete, the Region will be notified that additional information is needed to respond to the TAR. If Headquarters does not receive the remaining information within ten working days (goal of within five working days, not to exceed ten working days), the TAR package will be returned to the Region for completion of the package, and the action will be closed in DRAT. Typically, the goal for the Headquarters staff member to complete TAR responses is within 60 working days from the time all necessary information is received in Headquarters. The lead branch will coordinate the TAR response with other NMSS divisions and other offices (OGC, OE, etc.) as appropriate. For TARs that involve enforcement-related issues, the Director, OE should be in concurrence. Responses to certain TARs may be issued by the Headquarters Branch Chief if they do not involve exemptions or generic issues; otherwise, responses will be issued by the appropriate NMSS Division Director. A sample TAR response is provided in Appendix B. Identifying numbers, including the license number, docket number, and control number, will be indicated on the response. In addition, those TAR responses that are directly related to an event or incident will include the Nuclear Materials Events Database (NMED) number. A list reflecting the status of open TARs in DRAT will be transmitted to the Regions and the other NMSS Divisions each week from IMNS. DRAT includes the title of the TAR, the Control Number, the due date, and the current Headquarters contact. Before management signs and concurs on the TAR response, the Headquarters reviewer will e-mail the draft response to the Regional reviewer and management (Regional Branch Chief at a minimum) identified on the TAR to confirm that additional clarification is not needed and the Region has no specific concerns on the response. This e-mailing will occur after all technical concurrences have been obtained but before OGC's legal review and concurrence, or if there is no legal objection. If OGC fundamentally alters the TAR response, the revised draft response will be e-mailed again to the Region before IMNS management signature and concurrence. The concurrence page of the TAR response will reflect the date of Regional coordination. This effort is for informal coordination only and not for obtaining formal Regional concurrence. The Region should respond to the cognizant Headquarters staff with comments, including no comment, within two working days from the Headquarters e-mail date. If the Region has not responded within two working days, the response will be finalized and issued. The purpose of this policy is to avoid unnecessary delays. In cases where the Regional reviewer is away from the Regional Office, it is the responsibility of Regional management to either review the draft response and provide comments or to contact the Headquarters reviewer (or the reviewer's management) to negotiate an appropriate response date. Distribution of TAR Responses The TAR response, with all incoming documents, normally will be distributed electronically via ADAMS to a single point-of-contact in RI, RII, RIII, RIV, STP, TTC, and the Regulatory Product Development Center (RPDC.) The point-of-contact for the Regions shall be the Director, DNMS, unless otherwise indicated. Further distribution will be made by the receiving offices. If a division other than IMNS issues the response, the IMNS division secretary should be copied to close the action in DRAT. The DRAT ticket number should be identified on the distribution page to ensure accurate tracking and closure. If the TAR response grants an exemption or establishes a new policy for generic use, the chair of the IMNS Generic Assessment Panel (GAP) will be placed on electronic distribution. The chair of GAP is the IMNS Deputy Director. TAR Responses for Generic Use If the TAR response establishes a new policy that other reviewers are authorized to implement without further Headquarters review, the memo transmitting the response is signed by the Director, IMNS, and the term "GENERIC USE" will be inserted as a header on each page of the memo. Responses for generic use will typically include a statement that Regional staff may implement the policy without further coordination with Headquarters. These responses will be reviewed by GAP to determine the need for additional action (e.g., rulemaking, generic communication.) 4.15 Processing Proprietary Information[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] Final NRC records and documents, including correspondence to and from NRC regarding licensing actions, are available to the general public, except under certain circumstances, as specified in 10 CFR 2.790. A reviewer may receive information from an applicant or licensee that is marked as "proprietary," "confidential," "restricted," or "is the express property of Company X." The reviewer will need to determine whether the information is necessary to the licensing action. If the information is not necessary, it should be returned to the applicant. If the information is necessary, the reviewer needs to ensure that the applicant has submitted a formal request, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790, for withholding the information. The reviewer needs to evaluate the applicant's request for withholding against the requirements in 10 CFR 2.790. (Appendix C includes a checklist for requests for withholding information from public disclosure.) If the request is denied, in whole or in part, the reviewer needs to give the applicant the option of withdrawing the information or application. If the applicant decides not to withdraw the information or application, the reviewer needs to notify the applicant in writing that the request for withholding information from the public has been denied and that the reviewer will disregard any references concerning the proprietary status of the information. Sample letters are provided in Appendix D. Any part of the application that the reviewer has determined should be withheld from public disclosure should be handled in accordance with Management Directive 12.6, "NRC Sensitive Unclassified Information Security Program," and the applicant should be notified in writing that NRC plans to honor the request; however, the notification needs to inform the applicant that NRC may have cause to review the determination in the future, for example, if the scope of a Freedom of Information Act request includes the information. Withholding from public inspection shall not affect the right, if any, of persons properly and directly concerned, to inspect the documents. If the need arises, NRC may send copies of this information to NRC consultants working in that area. NRC will ensure that the consultants have signed the appropriate agreements for handling proprietary information. In all review situations, if NRC needs additional information from the applicant or makes a determination adverse to the initial determination, the applicant will be notified in advance of any public disclosure. 4.16 License Termination[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] NUREG/BR-0241, "NMSS Handbook for Decommissioning Fuel Cycle and Materials Licenses," contains a listing of the regulatory guidance concerning decommissioning of facilities and termination of licenses. Appendix B of the Handbook contains a comprehensive list of NRC's decommissioning regulations and guidance.(1) NUREG-1575, "Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM)," provides an acceptable method for conducting a final radiation status survey for buildings and soil before terminating a license. The reviewer should refer to the appropriate guidance when reviewing requests for termination of a license. After verifying the disposition of licensed material and ensuring that a satisfactory closeout inspection and confirmatory survey were performed, if required, the reviewer should prepare a letter informing the licensee that the license has been terminated. NUREG/BR-0241 contains a sample letter that may be used by the staff to inform the licensee that the license has been terminated. In addition, the reviewer should prepare a termination license to be enclosed with the letter. As a final step in terminating the license, the reviewer should complete the "Materials License Termination/Retirement Form" contained in NUREG/BR-0241. Copies of the letter, terminated license, and retirement form should be maintained as OARs. 5 Fees[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] 5.1 Introduction[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] Effective August 9, 1991, significant changes occurred to the regulations (10 CFR Parts 170 and 171) governing the licensing, inspection, and annual fees charged to applicants, licensees, and holders of certificates of compliance, registrations of sealed sources and devices, approvals of quality assurance programs, and other approvals. The revised regulations implemented the requirements of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public Law 101-508, that mandated that NRC recover approximately 100 percent of its budget. NRC's fee schedule is found in 10 CFR 170 ("Fees for Facilities, Materials, Import and Export Licenses, and Other Regulatory Services under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as Amended") and 10 CFR Part 171 ("Annual Fees for Reactor Licenses and Fuel Cycle Licenses and Materials Licenses..."). For the majority of small materials license applications, there are flat application fees. These fees must accompany the application. NRC no longer charges amendment, renewal, or inspection fees under 10 CFR Part 170; however, as provided in Footnote 1(a) to 10 CFR 170.31, application fees are charged for amendment and renewal applications that would increase the scope of the existing license to a higher fee category or add a new fee category. NRC charges fees for amendments, renewals, or inspections for the "full cost" categories specified in 10 CFR Part 170. Fees for "full cost" categories are calculated using the applicable professional staff-hour rates identified in 10 CFR 170.20 for licensing and inspection and are billed on a quarterly basis for accumulated costs. The majority of small materials licensees pay an annual fee. The basis for these charges is discussed in 10 CFR 171.16(b.) Annual fees for new licenses are prorated based on the issue date of the license; however, when a request for possession-only, termination, downgrade, or decommissioning is filed, the annual fees are prorated based on the date the request is filed and the date the licensee permanently ceased the licensed activities. The annual fees for most materials licenses are billed on the anniversary date of the license (licensees whose annual fees are $100,000 or more are assessed quarterly.) The annual fee assessed will be the fee in effect on the license anniversary date. The anniversary date of the materials license is considered to be the first day of the month in that the original materials license was issued. For example, if the original materials license was issued on June 17, then for annual fee purposes, the anniversary date of the material license is June 1, and the licensee will continue to be billed in June of each year for the annual fee in effect on June 1. Procedures for processing fees have been developed to make the appropriate decisions regarding the licensees' liabilities for the fees and to assure that licensees receive the invoices for annual fees before the due date. 5.1.1 Procedures for Processing FeesGeneral Guidelines
Undeliverable Mail
"Misclassification" of Licenses To the extent possible, assertions by licensees and licensing staff that licenses are misclassified in fee category will be handled by OCFO; however, there will be instances where verification or clarification from the licensing staff is required. In such cases, OCFO will send a copy of the correspondence or provide an ADAMS accession number to the appropriate licensing staff with an e-mail requesting assistance. Since the clarification or verification will be essential in determining the appropriate annual fee, the licensing staff should make every effort to respond by the due date given in the e-mail. OCFO will prepare the responses to the licensees and will assure that appropriate concurrences are obtained. Processing Licensing Actions Before Fees Approval It is current Agency policy not to delay the initial technical review process of materials license application, up to the point of issuance, pending the receipt of a fee; therefore, an application will be processed up to the point of issuance pending notification that the fee is paid. Processing Reciprocity Applications (NRC Form 241) See Section 3.2.10 for information regarding fees for Agreement State licensees requesting authorization to work in NRC jurisdiction. 5.1.2 OCFO Contacts
All other inquiries relating to fees should be referred to Doug Weiss, (301) 415-7348. In addition, please add Ms. Jackson for concurrence on all correspondence containing references to the fee requirements or providing fee information. 5.2 Follow-up Actions for Orders Suspending and Revoking Licenses for Nonpayment[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The purpose of this section is to provide guidance concerning procedures for coordinating with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) on orders suspending and revoking licenses for nonpayment of fees and subsequent actions when licenses are suspended for nonpayment of fees. An example of the Order, "Order Revoking License Following Immediately Effective 30-Day Suspension," is provided in Appendix D. The precise wording may vary depending on the circumstances of individual cases. This procedure applies to quality assurance approvals and sealed source and device registrations, but actions for these authorizations may deviate from these procedures. Separate orders for quality assurance approvals, sealed source and device registrations, and exempt distribution licenses are available to the licensing staff. Guidance
Appendix A: List of Documents Considered in Development of this NUREG[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] This report incorporates and updates the guidance previously found in the Policy and Guidance Directives (PG) listed in Table A.1. The documents in Table A.1 are superseded (for IMNS program areas) and should not be used. Additional documents considered are listed after the table. Table A.1 Policy and Guidance Directives
Additionally, the following documents were considered during the preparation of this guidance:
Appendix B: Forms[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] B.1 Materials License Form (NRC Form 374)
B.2 Registration Certificate for In Vitro Testing under General Licenses (NRC Form 483)
B.3 Registration Certificate for Use of Depleted Uranium under General License (NRC Form 244
B.4 Request for a Sealed Source or Device Evaluation (NRC Form 567)
B.5 Regional Technical Assistance Request Form
B.6 Sample Technical Assistance Request Response
Appendix C: Checklists[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] C.1 Renewal - Performance Evaluation Checklist
C.2 Renewal - Limited Review Checklist
C.3 New and Renewal - License Term Checklist
C.4 Checklist for Requests To Withhold Information from Public Disclosure
C.5 Checklist for Determining When Significant Licensing Action Has Taken Place That May Require an Additional Onsite Inspection
Appendix D: Sample Letters[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] D.1 Administrative Correspondence[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] D.1.1 Sample of License Expiration Letter[Date]
Gentlemen:
Your U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license, specified above, will expire on the date shown. If you wish to continue your licensed program, you should prepare and submit a renewal application on NRC Form 313, "Application for Material License," following the instructions in the enclosed volume of NUREG-1556. If the application reflects any significant changes in your licensed program, those changes must be clearly indicated. You must submit an application for the renewal of your license at least 30 days before the expiration date on the license. If your renewal application is filed (delivered or postmarked) before the expiration date, NRC will use discretion and your license will remain in effect until NRC takes final action on your application. However, if your renewal application cannot be filed before the expiration date, you should contact NRC immediately to see if you can obtain a temporary extension of the expiration date. Without NRC approval of that extension request, your license expires on the expiration date stated on the license. If your license expires, you no longer have a valid license, but you are required to maintain all licensed materials in safe, locked storage until your application for a license or request for termination is submitted and approved. Use of the licensed material after the expiration of your license may subject you to criminal and/or civil sanctions. If you do not wish to renew your license, you must dispose of or transfer all licensed radioactive material in your possession in an authorized manner (see the appropriate requirements in 10 CFR 30.36, 40.42, or 70.38); then complete the enclosed NRC Form 314, "Certificate of Disposition of Materials," and return it before the expiration date of your license, with a request that your license be terminated. If you cannot dispose of or transfer all licensed radioactive material in your license before the expiration date, you must request a license renewal, for storage only, of the radioactive material, to avoid enforcement action for violations involving the possession of licensable material without a valid license. Enforcement action may include a substantial monetary civil penalty that could also include daily civil penalties until you achieve compliance. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room.) This notice of your license expiration is sent for your convenience only and does not mean that similar notices will be sent in the future. The responsibility for timely submission of the license renewal remains with the licensee. If you have any questions About this notice or license expiration/renewal, please contact the NRC Regional Office that handles your license. Enclosures: D.1.2 Acceptance Review - Sample Acknowledgment Letter/Postcard
D.1.3 Acknowledgment Letter for NRC Form 244 and 483 Requests[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME] SUBJECT: NRC FORM [244 or 483] REQUEST [INSERT SALUTATION]: [USE THE FOLLOWING FOR NEW FORMS:] [USE THE FOLLOWING FOR REVISED FORMS:] Please be advised that a general license is valid indefinitely; therefore, there is no renewal process. However, the regulations under 10 CFR 31.11 or 40.25 require that any change in the information provided by a registrant on the initial registration certificate be reported to the Director of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards within 30 days from the effective date of such change. I have enclosed a blank form for your use in reporting any future changes. Please reference your registration number when you report changes. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room.) Please contact me at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER] if I can
be of any further assistance.
Enclosures: D.1.4 Letter for Follow-Up on Returned Mail[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME & ADDRESS] SUBJECT: [INSERT APPROPRIATE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT] [INSERT SALUTATION]: This letter concerns your byproduct material license issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), identified below. Correspondence sent to the address on your license has been returned to us unopened. We have found through telephone contacts or other sources that you can be reached at the above address. Please be advised that you must notify us of changes in your mailing address and/or location of licensed radioactive material. We would appreciate it if you would review your current license and confirm whether it correctly reflects your mailing address and locations of radioactive material. If there are changes, you should immediately submit an amendment request to [INSERT APPROPRIATE NRC OFFICE ADDRESS]. If we do not hear from you within 30 days, we plan to turn your files over to our Inspection Branch for appropriate review. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room). Thank you for your cooperation.
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] D.2 Deficiency Correspondence[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] D.2.1 Sample Deficiency Letter[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS] SUBJECT: [INSERT APPROPRIATE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT] [INSERT SALUTATION]: We have reviewed your letter dated [INSERT DATE OF SUBMITTAL]. Before we can take further action, we will need the following additional information. 1. [DESCRIBE THE DEFICIENCY AND INCLUDE A CLEAR STATEMENT SPECIFYING THE INFORMATION NEEDED] In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room). To continue review of your application, we request that you submit your
response to this letter within 30 calendar days from the date of
this letter. Please reply in duplicate and refer to the license, docket,
and control numbers specified below. If you have questions or require clarification
on any of the information stated above, we encourage you to contact us
at [INSERT THE APPROPRIATE PHONE NUMBER].
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] D.2.2 Confirmation of Deficiency Telephone Call[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME & ADDRESS] SUBJECT: [INSERT APPROPRIATE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT] [INSERT SALUTATION] This is to confirm our telephone conversation on [INSERT DATE] with [INSERT NAME], in that we discussed the information we need to continue review of your application dated [INSERT DATE]. The items specified below are those we discussed: 1. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room). [USE THE FOLLOWING TEXT FOR NEW APPLICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS] [USE THE FOLLOWING TEXT FOR RENEWALS] If we do not receive your reply within 30 calendar days from the date of this letter, it may be necessary to deny your application for license renewal and to terminate your license. This action would require you to divest yourself of all licensed material in your possession.
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] D.3 Final Action Correspondence[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] D.3.1 Materials License Cover Letter for Licensing Actions, Except Terminations[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS] SUBJECT: [INSERT APPROPRIATE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT - NEW LICENSE, LICENSE AMENDMENT, LICENSE RENEWAL] [INSERT SALUTATION]: Please find enclosed Amendment No. [INSERT NUMBER] to NRC License No. [INSERT LICENSE NUMBER] or please find enclosed License No. [INSERT LICENSE NUMBER] authorizing [INSERT AUTHORIZATION]. You should review the enclosed document carefully and be sure that you understand all conditions. If there are any errors or questions, please contact the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Regional Office [NAME, PHONE NUMBER, AND E-MAIL ADDRESS]. [THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION MAY BE OMITTED FOR AMENDMENTS:]
In addition, please note that NRC Form 313 requires the applicant, by signature, to verify that the applicant understands that all statements contained in the application are true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge. The signatory for the application should be the licensee or certifying official rather than a consultant. You will be periodically inspected by NRC. Failure to conduct your program in accordance with NRC regulations, license conditions, and representations made in your license application and supplemental correspondence with NRC may result in enforcement action against you. This could include issuance of a notice of violation, or imposition of a civil penalty, or an order suspending, modifying, or revoking your license as specified in NUREG-1600, "General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions" (Enforcement Policy.) In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room). Thank you for your cooperation.
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] Enclosure: As stated D.3.2 Temporary Exemption from NRC Regulation or License Condition[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS]
[INSERT SALUTATION] Pursuant to the written request dated [date of request] for temporary exemption(s) from the requirements of [NRC regulation or license condition] by [name and position of requestor representing the licensee], the following temporary exemption(s) is (are) granted for the specified period of time: [Each temporary exemption granted should be listed separately with documentation of the circumstances surrounding the request and the duration of time for that the exemption is granted.] In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room.) If your understanding of the above temporary exemption differs from that
set forth above, you are to notify [contact] immediately, at [telephone
number].
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] D.4 Enforcement Correspondence[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] D.4.1 "Warning" of Denial for Applications for Renewal[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS] SUBJECT: [INSERT APPROPRIATE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT] [INSERT SALUTATION] This refers to our letter dated [INSERT DATE], a copy of that is enclosed, that requested information About your application dated [INSERT DATE], for renewal of License No. [INSERT NUMBER]. As of this date, we have not received a reply from you. If we do not receive your reply within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this, our second letter, it may be necessary to deny your application for license renewal and to terminate your license. This action would require you to divest yourself of all licensed material in your possession. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room).
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] Enclosure: As stated D.4.2 Letter Denying Application for Renewal[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME AND ADDRESS] SUBJECT: [INSERT APPROPRIATE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT] [INSERT SALUTATION] This refers to our letters dated [INSERT DATE] and [INSERT DATE], concerning your application dated [INSERT DATE] for renewal of License No. [INSERT NUMBER]. We have not received a reply from you; therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 2.108, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff intends to deny your application for renewal of License No. [INSERT NUMBER] for failure to supply information. A Notice of Proposed Denial of Application and Order Modifying License is enclosed. If you do not request a hearing within 30 days of the date of the enclosed order, your renewal application is denied. In such event, you must divest yourself of licensed material presently possessed and follow the enclosed order that requires you to comply with 10 CFR 30.36(d) and (e.) In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room.) Enclosed are the NRC guidelines for decontamination of your facility and equipment. Upon completion of your facility decontamination survey and transfer of materials, NRC may conduct inspections and independent surveys of your facility to verify compliance with 10 CFR 30.36(d) and (e.)
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] Enclosure: As stated D.4.3 Order Denying an Application for License RenewalUNITED STATES OF AMERICA
NOTICE OF PROPOSED DENIAL OF APPLICATION I. [NAME OF LICENSEE] (Licensee) is holder of Materials License No. [INSERT NUMBER] issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) pursuant to 10 CFR Part___. The license authorizes possession of certain material [HERE DISCUSS MORE FULLY THE NATURE OF THE LICENSE AND LICENSEE'S ACTIVITIES]. The license, originally issued on (date), was due to expire by its terms on [INSERT DATE]. On [INSERT DATE], the Licensee submitted a timely renewal application. The effect of the renewal application was to extend the term of License No. [INSERT NUMBER] pursuant to 10 CFR 2.109 until the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) made a final determination with respect to the renewal application. II. [This section should provide a description of relevant events, facts, violations, technical or legal reasons that provide the substantive basis for issuing the Order. The following example is provided as a sample discussion for this section.] [In reviewing the renewal application, the NRC staff determined that additional information was necessary, and consequently, on [INSERT DATE OF LETTER] and [INSERT DATE OF SECOND LETTER], the NRC staff requested additional information from the Licensee. The Licensee has not replied to those requests.] III. [This section should provide the justification for issuing the Order, in light of the facts described in Section II. This section should also describe how the violation or careless disregard adversely affects public health and safety.] Consequently, pursuant to 10 CFR 2.108, I intend to deny the Licensee's renewal application for failure to supply information. IV. Accordingly, pursuant to sections [INSERT 53, 63, OR 81] 161b, 161i, 161o, 182, and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.202 and 10 CFR Part____, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT
The Regional Administrator, Region____, may, in writing, relax or rescind any of the above conditions upon demonstration by the Licensee of good cause. V. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.202, the Licensee must, and any other person adversely affected by this Order may, submit an answer to this Order, and may request a hearing on this Order, within 30 days of the date of this Order. Where good cause is shown, consideration will be given to extending the time to request a hearing. A request for extension of time must be made in writing to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, and include a statement of good cause for the extension. The answer may consent to this Order. Unless the answer consents to this Order, the answer shall, in writing, and under oath or affirmation, specifically admit or deny each allegation or charge made in this order and set forth the matters of fact and law on that the Licensee or other person adversely affected relies and the reasons as to why the Order should not have been issued. Any answer or request for a hearing shall be submitted to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, Washington, DC 20555. Copies also shall be sent to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, to the Assistant General Counsel for Hearings and Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, to the Regional Administrator, NRC Region___, [INSERT ADDRESS], and to the Licensee, if the answer or hearing request is by a person other than the Licensee. If a person other than the Licensee requests a hearing, the person shall set forth with particularity the manner in that his interest is adversely affected by this Order and shall address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.714(d.) If a hearing is requested by the Licensee or a person whose interest is adversely affected, the Commission will issue an Order designating the time and place of any hearing. If a hearing is held, the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether this Order should be sustained. In the absence of any request for a hearing, or written approval of an
extension of time in that to request a hearing, the provisions specified
in Section IV above shall be effective and final 20 days from the date
of this Order without further order or proceedings. If an extension of
time for requesting a hearing has been approved, the provisions specified
in Section IV shall be final when the extension expires, if a hearing
request has not been received.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this ___ day of ______ 2000 D.4.4 Order Revoking License for Nonpayment of Fees[DATE] UNITED STATES
ORDER REVOKING LICENSE FOLLOWING I. [LICENSEE NAME] [Licensee] is the holder of Materials License No. [NUMBER], issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, that authorizes the activities stated therein. The license has an expiration date of [DATE]. II. Pursuant to 10 CFR 171.16, the Licensee is required to pay an annual fee for this license. The Licensee's annual fee for License No. [NUMBER] for Fiscal Year [YEAR], as set forth in fee category [CATEGORY] of 10 CFR 171.16(d), is $ [ANNUAL FEE]. In accordance with 10 CFR Part 15, the Licensee was sent an original invoice dated [DATE], a second notice dated [DATE], and a final notice dated [DATE], requesting payment. The final notice of payment due specifically informed the Licensee that nonpayment of the fee may result in the suspension or revocation of the license in accordance with the enforcement provisions of the Commission's regulations, namely, 10 CFR 171.23. To date, the annual fees(s) have not been paid as required by 10 CFR Part 171. This Order suspends License No. [NUMBER], as explained below. If the fee and any other delinquent debts to NRC are paid within 30 days of the date of issuance of this Order, this Order will be withdrawn and the Licensee will be permitted to resume operations under License No. [NUMBER], if all other requirements are met. If the Licensee does not pay all debts within 30 days of the date of issuance of this Order, the license will be revoked by the terms of this Order and the Licensee will, in the future, not be able to operate under License No. [NUMBER]. If the former Licensee wants to resume operations after revocation of the license, the former Licensee will have to pay all debts to NRC and apply for and be issued a new license. III. I have concluded that the Licensee has willfully violated NRC requirements. In addition, prior notice of the violation and an opportunity to achieve compliance was provided. Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202, I find that the violation requires that this Order be immediately effective. In view of the foregoing and pursuant to Sections [INSERT 53, 63, OR 81], 161b, 161c, 161i, 161o, 182, and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.202, 170.41, 171.23, and 10 CFR Part 30, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THAT
The Chief Financial Officer may relax or rescind, in writing, any of the above conditions upon a showing by the Licensee of good cause. A request for modification of the above conditions shall be submitted to the Chief Financial Officer, with a copy to the Director, Division of Nuclear Material Safety, NRC Region [NUMBER], in writing and under oath or affirmation, and must be received within 30 days from the date of issuance of this Order. IV. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.202, the Licensee must, and any other person adversely affected by this Order may, submit an answer to this Order, and may request a hearing on this Order. This answer must be received by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer within 30 days of the date of this Order. Where good cause is shown, consideration will be given to extending the time to request a hearing. A request for extension of time must be made in writing to the Chief Financial Officer and include a statement of good cause for the extension. The answer shall be in writing and under oath or affirmation, and it shall specifically admit or deny each allegation or charge made in this Order. The answer shall set forth the matters of fact and law on that the Licensee or other person adversely affected relies and the reasons as to why this Order should not have been issued. Any answer or request for hearing shall be submitted to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, Washington, DC 20555. Copies shall also be sent to the Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555; the Assistant General Counsel for Hearings and Enforcement at the same address; the Regional Administrator, NRC Region [NUMBER], [ADDRESS]; and to the Licensee if the answer or hearing request is by a person other than the Licensee. If a person other than the Licensee requests a hearing, that person shall set forth with particularity the manner in that his or her interest is adversely affected by this Order and shall address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.714(d.) If the Licensee or a person whose interest is adversely affected requests a hearing, the Commission will issue an Order designating the time and place of any hearing. If a hearing is held, the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether this Order should be sustained. Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202(c)(2)(i), the Licensee, or any other person adversely affected by this Order may, in addition to demanding a hearing, at the time the answer is filed or sooner, move the presiding officer to set aside the immediate effectiveness of the Order on the ground that the Order, including the need for immediate effectiveness, is not based on adequate evidence but on mere suspicion, unfounded allegations, or error. The motion must state with particularity the reasons why the order is not based on adequate evidence and must be accompanied by affidavits or other evidence relied on. V. In the absence of any request for hearing, or written approval of an extension of time in that to request a hearing, this Order shall be final 30 days from the date of this Order without further order or proceedings. If an extension of time for requesting a hearing has been approved, the provisions specified in Part III shall be final when the extension expires, if a hearing request has not been received. AN ANSWER OR REQUEST FOR HEARING SHALL NOT STAY THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS ORDER. VI. In lieu of filing an answer to the Order, the Licensee may pay the total amount specified below. This amount must be received by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer within 30 days of the date of this Order. This Order is withdrawn if, within 30 days of the date of this Order, the Office of the Chief Financial receives the total amount specified below:
The total amount listed above is a delinquent debt to the United States. Failure to pay the total amount within 30 days of the date of this Order may, pursuant to 10 CFR Part 15, result in referral of the delinquent debt to a collection agency, referral to the U.S. Government Accountability Office or the U.S. Department of Justice for collection, or other action deemed appropriate. Pursuant to 10 CFR 15.29, the Commission may not consider an application for a license from the Licensee unless all previous delinquent debts of the Licensee to NRC, including the delinquent debt(s) identified in this Order, have been paid in full. In addition, failure to meet the requirements of this Order may subject the Licensee and its agents to civil penalties and criminal sanctions.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this ______day of ________, 200_ D.5 Reciprocity Correspondence[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] D.5.1 Reciprocity Procedures Letter[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME & ADDRESS] SUBJECT: RECIPROCITY PROCEDURES [INSERT SALUTATION]: Agreement State licensees [licensees] seeking to conduct activities under reciprocity in areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction, non-Agreement States, or in offshore waters (reciprocity activities), for the first time in a calendar year, must submit the following:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must receive this filing at least three days before the licensee engages in activities permitted under the General License established by 10 CFR 150.20 (provided on NRC Form 241 for convenience.) Licensees cannot perform work in areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction without either (a) filing NRC Form 241 for reciprocity in accordance with 10 CFR 150.20(b) or (b) applying for a specific NRC license. This general license authorizes persons holding a specific license from an Agreement State to conduct the same activity in areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction, non-Agreement States, or in offshore waters, if the specific license issued by the Agreement State does not limit the authorized activity to specified locations or facilities. Under the general license, licensees conducting reciprocity activities, including storage (usage), are limited to a total of 180 days in any calendar year. Reciprocity activities conducted in offshore waters are not subject to the 180-day limit. NRC tracks reciprocity usage on the basis of approved usage days and will not approve any activity, under the general license, that causes the total usage days to exceed 180 days. It is important that licensees track the days of use and clarify or delete dates of work when applicable. NUREG-1556, Vol. 19, "Guidance for Agreement State Licensees About Reporting Activities in Areas of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction, Non-Agreement States, and Offshore Waters," contains guidelines to follow in filing NRC Form 241. It also contains important information to help licensees ensure that they are complying with NRC regulations before conducting activities under reciprocity. This document is available at the following Internet address: <http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1556/v19/>. Agreement State licensees operating under reciprocity in areas of NRC jurisdiction must conduct activities involving radioactive materials in accordance with the conditions specified in the licensee's Agreement State license, representations made in NRC Form 241, and other rules, regulations, and orders of NRC, now or hereafter in effect. NRC will perform inspections of activities by Agreement State licensees operating under a general license pursuant to 10 CFR 150.20. These inspections may occur at the listed work site location(s) or at the home office address. Failure to comply with these regulations or to conduct your radiation safety program in compliance with NRC regulations before operating under reciprocity may result in NRC enforcement action(s) against the licensee. Such actions could include the issuance of a notice of violation, the proposed imposition of a civil penalty, or an order suspending, modifying, or revoking the license as specified in NUREG-1600, "General Statement of Policy and Procedures for NRC Enforcement Actions." This document is available at the following Internet address: <http://www.nrc.gov/OE/rpr/oe_4.htm>. For your information and use in filing for reciprocity, I have enclosed a copy of NRC Form 3 (see Enclosure 3.) [Any other regulations, information notices, or other information being enclosed should be described here.] NRC's regulations, such as 10 CFR Parts 19, 20, 30, 34, 35, 39, 50, 71, are available on NRC's Web site at www.nrc.gov. If you do not have access to the Internet and require a copy of an NRC document, please contact our office at [INSERT ADDRESS]. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room.) If you have any questions About the regulations or the application process,
please feel free to contact me at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER].
Enclosures: D.5.2 Acknowledgment Letter for Form 241 Submittals[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME & ADDRESS] SUBJECT: NRC FORM 241 [INSERT SALUTATION]: Enclosed is the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) signature copy signifying our review of your NRC Form 241 dated [date], to report [proposed/revised/clarified] licensed activities in NRC jurisdiction, under the authority of the general license pursuant to 10 CFR 150.20 (reciprocity.) Changes to the initial NRC Form 241 for additional work locations or clients, or for changes to the radioactive material, or work activities different from the information submitted on the initial NRC Form 241, are considered revisions and do require a [amount] fee. Changes or deletions to the initial NRC Form 241 of specific locations or work sites, work site contacts, or dates of work are considered clarifications, not revisions, and do not require a fee. A Location Reference Number has been entered on your NRC Form 241 and should be used for reference on subsequent revisions or clarifications. Please be advised that, as an Agreement State licensee authorized by general license to perform licensed activities in areas of NRC jurisdiction, you must conduct your reciprocity activities in accordance with the representations specified in your NRC Form 241 and other rules, regulations, and orders of NRC, now or hereafter in effect. [For radiography licensees, add the following:] Specifically, you must comply with 10 CFR Part 34, "LICENSES FOR RADIOGRAPHY AND RADIATION SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS." These regulations were revised, effective June 27, 1997, to make the requirements more understandable to licensees. Additionally, several major changes were made in the regulations to improve both the quality and the safety of industrial radiography. These changes include (but are not limited to):
In addition, please note that as of January 10, 1996, all radiographic exposure devices and associated equipment must comply with 10 CFR 34.20. [INSERT ADDITIONAL PARAGRAPHS AS NECESSARY] In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in NRC's Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS.) ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www/reading-rm/adams.html (the public Electronic Reading Room.) If you have questions concerning this action or other aspects of working in NRC jurisdiction under reciprocity, please contact me at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER].
Enclosure(s): As stated D.6 Withholding Correspondence[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] D.6.1 Agreement with Request to Withhold Information from Public Disclosure[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME & ADDRESS] SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR WITHHOLDING INFORMATION CONTAINED ON [APPLICATION, LETTER, FORM] FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE [INSERT SALUTATION]: By [Application, Letter, Form] from [Licensee's Name] dated [date], and affidavit dated [date], you submitted [proprietary, confidential] material consisting of [brief description, e.g., personal or client information] and requested that it be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to 10 CFR 2.790. This letter is our response to your request. You stated that the submitted information should be considered exempt from public disclosure for the following reasons: 1. 2. We have reviewed your application and the material in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 2.790 and, on the basis of your statements, have determined that the submitted information sought to be withheld does contain [proprietary, confidential] information. Therefore, the [brief description of information to be withheld] contained in [application, letter, form], marked as [proprietary, confidential] will be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to 10 CFR 2.790(b)(5) and Section 103(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. Your request for withholding will be maintained by Region [number] indefinitely. Withholding documents from public inspection shall not affect the right, if any, of persons properly and directly concerned to inspect the documents. If the need arises, we may send copies of this information to our consultants working in this area. We will, of course, ensure that the consultants have signed the appropriate agreements for handling proprietary information. If the basis for withholding this information from public inspection should change in the future such that the information could then be made available for public inspection, you should promptly notify the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC.) You should understand that NRC may have cause to review this determination in the future (e.g., if the scope of a Freedom of Information Act request includes your information.) In all review situations, if NRC makes a determination adverse to the decision above, you will be notified in advance of any public disclosure. If you have any questions concerning this action, please feel free to
contact me at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER].
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] D.6.2 Disagreement with Request to Withhold Information from Public Disclosure[INSERT DATE] [INSERTNAME & ADDRESS]
[INSERT SALUTATION]: By [Application, Letter, Form] from [Licensee's Name] dated [date], and affidavit dated [date], you submitted [proprietary, confidential] material consisting of [brief description, e.g., personal or client information] and requested that it be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to 10 CFR 2.790. This is our response to your request. We have reviewed your [application, letter, form] and the material in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 2.790 and, for the following reasons, have determined that the submitted information, in whole or in part, sought to be withheld, does not contain proprietary information. 1. 2. Therefore, we have determined that the material, specifically [brief description] should be released for public disclosure. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790(c), this information is being forwarded to you as notice that the information will be made available to the public within 30 days of the date of this letter. If within that time you request withdrawal of these documents in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790(c), or provide additional reasons for the withholding of information, your request will be considered in light of applicable statutes and regulations and a determination made as to whether the documents should be withheld from public disclosure or returned to you. Withholding documents from public inspection shall not affect the right, if any, of persons properly and directly concerned to inspect the documents. If the need arises, we may send copies of this information to our consultants working in this area. We will, of course, ensure that the consultants have signed the appropriate agreements for handling proprietary information. If the basis for withholding this information from public disclosure should change in the future such that the information could then be made available for public inspection, you should promptly notify the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC.) You should understand that NRC may have cause to review this determination in the future (e.g., if the scope of a Freedom of Information Act request includes your withheld information.) In all review situations, if NRC makes a determination adverse to the above, you will be notified in advance of any public disclosure. If you have any questions concerning this action, please feel free to contact me at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER].
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] D.6.3 Partial Agreement with Request to Withhold Information from Public Disclosure[INSERT DATE] [INSERT NAME & ADDRESS]
[INSERT SALUTATION]: By [application, letter, form] from [Licensee's Name] dated [date], and affidavit dated [date], you submitted [proprietary, confidential] material consisting of [brief description, e.g., personal or client information] and requested that it be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to 10 CFR 2.790. This is our response to your request. We have reviewed your application and the material in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 2.790 and, on the basis of your statements, have determined that only certain information contained in [application, letter, form] is [proprietary, confidential]. The [brief description] information contained in [application, letter, form], marked as [proprietary, confidential] does contain [proprietary, confidential] information and will, therefore, be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to 10 CFR 2.790(b)(5) and Section 103(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. Your request for withholding will be maintained by Region [number] indefinitely. We have also determined that, for the following reason(s), the information contained in [application, letter, form] does not contain proprietary information. 1. 2. Therefore, the [brief description] contained in [application, letter, form] should be released for public disclosure. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790(c), this information is being forwarded to you as notice that the information will be made available to the public 30 days from the date of this letter. If within that time you request withdrawal of these documents in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790(c), or provide additional reasons for the withholding of information, your request will be considered in light of applicable statutes and regulations and a determination made as to whether the documents should be withheld from public disclosure or returned to you. Withholding documents from public inspection shall not affect the right, if any, of persons properly and directly concerned to inspect the documents. If the need arises, we may send copies of this information to our consultants working in this area. We will, of course, ensure that the consultants have signed the appropriate agreements for handling proprietary information. If the basis for withholding this information from public disclosure should change in the future such that the information could then be made available for public inspection, you should promptly notify the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC.) You should understand that NRC may have cause to review this determination in the future (e.g., if the scope of a Freedom of Information Act request includes your withheld information.) In all review situations, if NRC makes a determination adverse to the above, you will be notified in advance of any public disclosure. If you have any questions concerning this action, please feel free to contact me at [INSERT PHONE NUMBER].
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER] Appendix E: Standard License Conditions[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] GENERAL INFORMATION The recordkeeping requirements of certain license conditions must receive clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before use. Licensing staff should not use the recordkeeping portion of condition numbers 22, 23, 26, 32, 132, 133, 164, or 165.I until notified that OMB clearance has been obtained. To maintain consistency throughout NRC, reviewers should use standard conditions to the maximum extent possible. Proposed revisions to standard conditions or proposed special conditions should be coordinated with NMSS before use. In addition, before issuing a license with non-standard conditions, reviewers should coordinate with the inspection staff and licensees to ensure that all parties have the same understanding of all license conditions, especially any conditions unique to a particular licensee. The cover letter accompanying the licensing package should identify and bring the licensee's attention to any unique conditions on the license. E.1 Location of Use[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.2 Supervision - General[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.3 Supervision - Limited Medical[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.4 Supervision - Broad - Medical[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.5 Supervision - Pacemaker[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.6 Supervision - Radiopharmacy[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.7 Supervision - Broad - Non-medical[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.8 Supervision - Portable Gauges[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.9 Supervision - Fixed Gauges and Self-shielded Irradiators[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.10 Supervision - Radiography[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.11 Supervision - Well Logging[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.12 Supervision - Part 36 Irradiators[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.13 Radiation Safety Officer[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.14 Tie-down[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.15 Gas Chromatographs[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.16 FEMA[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.17 Portable Gauges[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.18 Radiography[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.19 Well Logging[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.20 Fixed Gauge[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.21 Self-shielded Irradiators[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
OR
E.22 Part 36 Irradiators[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.23 Medical - General[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.24 Medical - Broad[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.25 Medical - Brachytherapy Remote Afterloaders[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.26 Gamma Stereotactic Radiosurgery Unit Conditions[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.27 Teletherapy[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.28 Mobile Nuclear Medicine[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.29 Cardiac Pacemakers[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] E.30 Broad Scopes
[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] E.31 Radiopharmacies
[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.32 Waste Disposal[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.33 Incineration[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.34 Transportation[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.35 Distribution[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.36 Exempt Distribution[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.37 Manufacturers[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.38 Miscellaneous - Unsealed Material[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.39 Miscellaneous - Sealed Sources[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.40 Emergency Plans/Decommissioning[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
E.41 Possession Only[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
Appendix F: Additional Guidance for LTS Users[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] The following additional guidance is provided for users of the Licensing Tracking System (LTS) and addresses items not covered in the LTS User's Guide: F.1 Exemption Data Fields[ Prev | Next | Top of file ] A requirement to identify, document, and track exemption requests in licensing actions was established by a staff requirements memorandum (SRM) from the Commission dated January 30, 1997, responding to SECY-96-249, "Staff Response to SRM on SECY-96-147 Regarding Reducing Need for Exemptions and Consistency of the Exemption Process." The LTS worksheet was modified to contain exemption data fields that should be annotated to identify the section of the regulation to that a proposed exemption was granted, requested, and denied. For example, if an exemption is granted to allow relief from 10 CFR 35.647 (to extend the time for servicing and inspection of a teletherapy unit), then the entry should be "35.647." Do not use abbreviations or entries other than the specific section of the regulation. If an exemption is not effective after a specific date, then the date should be entered in the LTS in parentheses following the section, i.e., 35.647 (8/31/98.) The exemption field names and synonyms are:
F.2 Standard LTS Input Abbreviations[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
F.3 Examples of Standard LTS Inputs[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
F.4 LTS Input Notes
|
Category | Examples |
---|---|
A - Source Material | Unsealed Pu (22110) and U-235 (22111) |
B - Process and Distribution | Medical Products (02511, 02512, 02513) |
C - Radiography | Radiography Fixed (03310) and Field (03320) [C1] |
D - Waste Brokers | Waste Disposal Prepackaged (03232) [D1] and Incineration (03233) |
E - Industrial | R&D Type A (03610) [E1A], Well Logging (03110-03113), Critical Mass Material (21310, 21320) [E1C] |
F - Academic | Academic Broad (01100, 01110, 01120) [F1A-F1C] |
G - Medical | Teletherapy (02125) [G3], HDRs (02230, 02231) [G2] |
K - Various | Fixed Gauges (03120), Civil Defense (03710) |
UFF - Uranium Fuel Fabrication | Hot Cell Operations (21130) |
Although inspection program categories are not routinely used, they periodically appear in documents and are denoted here only for historical systems.
Table 1
Program Code | Title |
---|---|
01100 | Academic Type A Broad |
01110 | Academic Type B Broad |
01120 | Academic Type C Broad |
02110 | Medical Institution Broad |
02120 | Medical Institution - QMP required |
02121 | Medical Institution - QMP not required |
02200 | Medical Private Practice - QMP required |
02201 | Medical Private Practice - QMP not required |
02210 | Eye Applicators Strontium-90 |
02220 | Mobile Nuclear Medicine Service |
02230 | High Dose Rate Remote Afterloader |
02231 | Mobile High Dose Rate Remote Afterloader |
02240 | Mobile Therapy |
02300 | Teletherapy |
02310 | Stereotactic Radiosurgery - Gamma Knife |
02400 | Veterinary Non-Human |
02410 | In Vitro Testing Laboratories |
02500 | Nuclear Pharmacies |
02511 | Medical Product Distribution - 32.72 - Prepared Radiopharmaceuticals |
02513 | Medical Product Distribution - 32.74 - Sources and Devices |
03110 | Well Logging Byproduct and/or SNM Tracer and Sealed Sources |
03111 | Well Logging Byproduct and/or SNM Sealed Sources Only |
03112 | Well Logging Byproduct Only - Tracers Only |
03113 | Field Flooding Studies |
03120 | Measuring Systems Fixed Gauges |
03121 | Measuring Systems Portable Gauges |
03122 | Measuring Systems Analytical Instruments |
03123 | Measuring Systems Gas Chromatographs |
03124 | Measuring Systems Other |
03211 | Manufacturing and Distribution Type A Broad |
03212 | Manufacturing and Distribution Type B Broad |
03213 | Manufacturing and Distribution Type C Broad |
03214 | Manufacturing and Distribution Other |
03218 | Nuclear Laundry |
03219 | Decontamination Services |
03220 | Leak Test Service Only |
03221 | Instrument Calibration Service Only - Source Less Than 100 Curies |
03222 | Instrument Calibration Service Only - Source Greater Than 100 Curies |
03225 | Other Services |
03231 | Waste Disposal (Burial) |
03232 | Waste Disposal Service Prepackaged Only |
03233 | Waste Disposal Service Incineration |
03234 | Waste Disposal Service Processing and/or Repackaging |
03235 | Incineration-Noncommercial (Secondary Code) |
03236 | Waste Treatment Service (other than compaction) |
03240 | General License Distribution - 32.51 |
03241 | General License Distribution - 32.53 |
03242 | General License Distribution - 32.57 |
03243 | General License Distribution - 32.61 |
03244 | General License Distribution - 32.71 |
03250 | Exempt Distribution - 32.11 - Exempt Concentrations and Item |
03251 | Exempt Distribution - 32.14 - Certain Items |
03252 | Exempt Distribution - 32.17 - Resins |
03253 | Exempt Distribution - 32.18 - Small Quantities |
03254 | Exempt Distribution - 32.22 - Self Luminous Products |
03255 | Exempt Distribution - 32.26 - Smoke Detectors |
03256 | Exempt Distribution - 32.21 - C14 Urea Capsules |
03310 | Industrial Radiography Fixed Location |
03320 | Industrial Radiography Temporary Job Sites |
03510 | Irradiators Self Shielded Less Than 10000 Curies |
03511 | Irradiators Other Less Than 10000 Curies |
03520 | Irradiators Self Shielded Greater Than 10000 Curies |
03521 | Irradiators Other Greater Than 10000 Curies |
03610 | Research and Development Type A Broad |
03611 | Research and Development Type B Broad |
03612 | Research and Development Type C Broad |
03613 | R & D Broad - Multisite-Multiregional |
03620 | Research and Development Other |
03710 | Civil Defense |
03800 | Byproduct Material Possession Only - Permanent Shutdown |
03810 | Byproduct Material Standby - No Operations |
03900 | Decommissioning of Byproduct Material Facilities |
06100 | Low Level Waste Storage at Reactor Sites |
06101 | Low Level Waste Storage - Other (Secondary Code) |
11100 | Mills |
11200 | Source Material Other Less Than 150 Kilograms |
11210 | Source Material Shielding |
11220 | Source Material Military Munitions - Indoor Testing |
11221 | Source Material Military Munitions - Outdoor Testing |
11230 | Source Material General License Distribution - 40.34 |
11300 | Source Material Other Greater Than 150 Kilograms |
11400 | Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6) Production Plants |
11500 | Solution Mining (R & D and Commercial Facilities) |
11600 | Heap Leach, Ore Buying Stations and Byproduct Recovery |
11700 | Rare Earth Extraction and Processing |
11800 | Source Material Possession Only - Permanent Shutdown |
11810 | Source Material Standby - No Operations |
11900 | Decommissioning of Source Material Facilities |
21130 | Hot Cell Operations |
21135 | Decommissioning of Advanced Fuel R & D and Pilot Plants |
21200 | Uranium Enrichment Plants |
21210 | Uranium Fuel Processing Plants |
21215 | Decommissioning of Uranium Fuel Processing Plants |
21240 | Uranium Fuel R & D and Pilot Plants |
21310 | Critical Mass Material - Universities |
21320 | Critical Mass Material - Other Than Universities |
21325 | Decommissioning of Critical Mass - Other Than Fuel Fabrication |
22110 | SNM Plutonium - Unsealed Less Than a Critical Mass |
22111 | SNM U-235 and/or U-233 Unsealed Less Than a Critical Mass |
22120 | SNM Plutonium - Neutron Sources Less Than 200 Grams |
22130 | Power Sources with Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material |
22140 | SNM Plutonium - Sealed Sources in Devices |
22150 | SNM Plutonium - Sealed Sources Less Than a Critical Mass |
22151 | SNM U-235 and/or U-233 Sealed Sources Less Than a Critical Mass |
22160 | Pacemaker Byproduct and/or SNM - Medical Institution |
22161 | Pacemaker Byproduct and/or SNM - Individual |
22162 | Pacemaker Byproduct and/or SNM - Manufacturing and Distribution |
22170 | SNM General License Distribution (70.39) |
22200 | Decommissioning of Other SNM Facilities - Less Than Critical Mass |
23100 | Fresh Fuel Storage at Reactor Sites |
23200 | Interim Spent Fuel Storage |
23300 | SNM Possession Only (Non-Fuel) - Permanent Shutdown |
23310 | SNM Standby (Non-Fuel) - No Operations |
25110 | Transport - Private Carriage |
Part 30 Licenses
A Part 30 license number has the following format: xx-xxxxx-xx.
The first two digits are the state code. The middle five digits are the institutional code assigned by the LA, that is the same for each license for each physical location. The last two digits are an identification number. There will be a different identification number for each license held by the same institution.
In addition, a license suffix follows certain license types.
License Suffixes
xx-xxxxx-xxG | General (Distribution) | |
xx-xxxxx-xxE | Exempt (Distribution) | |
xx-xxxxx-xxMD | Medical Distribution | |
xx-xxxxx-xxMA | Medical Approval (no longer used) |
Part 40 Licenses
The license number for a Part 40 license is composed of three letters followed by a number.
The first letter is always S. The second letter can be U, T, or M: |
|
U - Uranium Only T - Thorium Only M - Both Uranium and Thorium |
|
The third letter can be A, C, D, E, or B: | |
A - Manufacture/Possession of Ore C - Storage Only D - Sub Critical Assembly E - Export B - Everything Else |
The identification number that follows the three letter code is assigned chronologically by Headquarters.
For example, SMC-xxx is a Part 40 license that covers both uranium and thorium storage.
Part 70 Licenses
All Part 70 licenses are composed of the same three letter code, 'SNM,' followed by an identification number, that is assigned chronologically by Headquarters.
BYPRODUCT MATERIAL PROGRAM CODES
Byproduct materials are man-made radioactive materials (except special
nuclear material) produced or made radioactive by exposure to the radiation
incident to the process of producing or using special nuclear materials
such as in a nuclear reactor. Byproduct material includes activation products
from nuclear reactors and from plutonium-beryllium neutron sources, but
it does not include activation products from other neutron sources, such
as californium-252 or accelerators. (See 10 CFR 30.4 and 40.4 for a definition
of byproduct material.)
Academic Broad and Academic Other Licenses |
Academic Broad and Academic Other licenses are issued to educational
institutions for the possession and use of radionuclides for teaching,
training, and some research purposes, such as carbon-14 dating, equipment
calibration, tracer studies and the identification of substances in compounds.
Academic Broad-Type A | Program Code 01100 |
Academic Broad-Type A licenses are issued to larger institutions where there is a diversity in the use of various radionuclides. The kinds and uses of radionuclides may change frequently, even within the same institution. Quantities are usually in the multicurie range. The "Authorized Use" condition on these licenses may permit teaching and training of students, research, and development (as defined in 10 CFR 30.4), or laboratory research, including animal studies. If the "Authorized Use" includes medical research, diagnosis, and/or therapy, the license should be listed under program code 02110 (Medical Institution Broad), with this program code as a secondary code. (See Regulatory Guides 10.5 and 10.8 for further explanation.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.13 | Inspection Program Category: F1A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: Applicable to the Licensed Activity | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee (exemption in � 170.11 may apply) 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee (exemption in � 171.11 may apply) |
Academic Broad-Type B | Program Code 01110 |
Academic Broad-Type B licenses are issued for the possession and use of fewer radionuclides and in smaller quantities than Type A licenses. (See Part 33.100, Schedule A, Column I.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.14 | Inspection Program Category: F1B Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: Applicable to the Licensed Activity | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee (exemption in � 170.11 may apply) 10 CFR 171.11 Annual Fee (exemption in � 171.11 may apply) |
Academic Broad-Type C | Program Code 01120 |
Academic Broad-Type C licenses are issued for the possession and use of a limited number of radionuclides and in smaller quantities than Type B licenses. (See Part 33.100, Schedule A, Column II.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.1 | Inspection Program Category: F1C Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: Applicable to the Licensed Activity | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee (exemption in � 170.11 may apply) 10 CFR 171.11 Annual Fee (exemption in � 171.11 may apply) |
Medical Institutions |
A medical institution is defined in 10 CFR 35.2 to be an organization in that several medical disciplines are practiced. It typically provides 24-hour-per-day medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment, nursing, food, lodging, etc., to ill or injured patients. Medical Institution Broad and Medical Institution Limited licenses are issued to organizations for the application of byproduct material, or its radiation, to humans. Radioactive material administered to patients is considered to be an in vivo procedure. (Use of radioactive material in test tubes in the laboratory is considered to be an in vitro procedure, and these licensees are in program code 02410.) Separate licenses are issued to authorize HDRs, teletherapy, and gamma knives. These licensees are listed under program codes 02230, 02300, and 02310.
Medical Institution Broad | Program Code 02110 |
Medical Institution Broad licenses are issued to larger medical institutions for the possession and use of a wide range of radionuclides in medical research, diagnosis, and therapy. These licensees have Radiation Safety Committees, and these committees are allowed to authorize their own users. Some medical institutions have "hybrid broad" licenses. These licenses authorize routine clinical procedures using the Group medical licensing system and include a Broad-Type A, Broad-Type B, or Broad-Type C authorization for research. These licenses should be assigned program code 02120 for the primary code and 03610, 03611, or 03612, as appropriate, for the secondary code.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 33.13-15 and 35 | Inspection Program Category: G1 Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 7B | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Medical Institution - QMP Required | Program Code 02120 |
Medical Institution - QMP Required licenses are issued to medical institutions required to have a quality management program pursuant to 10 CFR 35.32. This applies to licenses that authorize (1) any teletherapy; (2) any gamma stereotactic radiosurgery; (3) any brachytherapy; (4) any administration of either sodium iodide I-125 or I-131 in quantities greater than 30 microcuries; or (5) any therapeutic administration of a radiopharmaceutical other than sodium iodide I-125 or I-131. In general, this code should be used as the primary program code only for nuclear medicine and emerging technologies. When licenses satisfy the description of other, more specific program codes (i.e., teletherapy, gamma knife, etc.), the more specific program code should be used as the primary code.
10 CFR Citation: Part 35.32 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 7B | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Medical Institution - QMP Not Required | Program Code 02121 |
Medical Institution - QMP Not Required licenses are issued to medical institutions not required to have a quality management program pursuant to 10 CFR 35.32 (see program code 02120.) In general, this code should be used as the primary program code only for nuclear medicine and emerging technologies. When licenses satisfy the description of other, more specific program codes (i.e., teletherapy, gamma knife, etc.), the more specific program code should be used as the primary code.
10 CFR Citation: Part 35.32 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 7B | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Medical Private Practice Licenses |
Medical Private Practice licenses are issued, pursuant to 10 CFR 35.12, to a physician or physicians for the possession and use of radionuclides in well-established diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, usually in their offices outside a medical institution. Separate licenses are issued to authorize HDRs, teletherapy, and gamma knives. These licensees are listed under program codes 02230, 02300, and 02310.
Medical Private Practice - QMP Required | Program Code 02200 |
Medical Private Practice - QMP Required licenses are issued to a physician or physicians required to have a quality management program pursuant to 10 CFR 35.32. This applies to licenses that authorize (1) any teletherapy; (2) any gamma stereotactic radiosurgery; (3) any brachytherapy; (4) any administration of either sodium iodide I-125 or I-131 in quantities greater than 30 microcuries; or (5) any therapeutic administration of a radiopharmaceutical other than sodium iodide I-125 or I-131. In general, this code should be used as the primary program code only for nuclear medicine and emerging technologies. When licenses satisfy the description of other, more specific program codes (teletherapy, gamma knife, etc.), the more specific program code should be used as the primary code.
10 CFR Citation: Part 35.32 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 7C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Medical Private Practice - QMP Not Required | Program Code 02201 |
Medical Private Practice - QMP Not Required licenses are issued to a physician or physicians not required to have a quality management program pursuant to 10 CFR 35.32 (see program code 02200.) In general, this code should be used as the primary program code only for nuclear medicine and emerging technologies. When licenses satisfy the description of other, more specific program codes (i.e., teletherapy, gamma knife, etc.), the more specific program code should be used as the primary code.
10 CFR Citation: Part 35.32 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 7C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Eye Applicators Sr-90 | Program Code 02210 |
Eye Applicator licenses are issued to a physician or physicians for the possession and use of a device containing a strontium-90 source to treat superficial eye diseases.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 35.11 and 35.12 | Inspection Program Category: G2 Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 7C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Mobile Nuclear Medicine Service | Program Code 02220 |
Mobile Nuclear Medicine Service licenses are issued to a physician or physicians for the receipt of radioactive material at a central facility and preparation of patient doses to be administered at outlying small hospitals, nursing homes, etc., where clinical studies are conducted. (If a medical institution conducts a mobile nuclear medicine service, in addition to performing routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at its own location, the license should be assigned a primary program code of 02120 and a secondary program code of 02220.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 35.11 and 35.29 | Inspection Program Category: G Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 7C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
High Dose Rate Remote Afterloader | Program Code 02230 |
High Dose Rate (HDR) Remote Afterloader licenses authorize the use of large activity byproduct material sealed sources, typically 10 curies of iridium-192, for cancer brachytherapy. These sources are connected to a wire and contained in a shielded device that feeds the source into the patient via a catheter. (If a medical institution or private practice performs HDR procedures in addition to performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures referenced in 35.100, 35.200, 35.300, 35.400, and 35.500, the license should be assigned a primary program code of 02230 and secondary program codes of 02120, 02121, 02200, 02201, or 02500.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 35.400 | Inspection Program Category: G2 Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 7C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Mobile High Dose Rate Remote Afterloader | Program Code 02231 |
Mobile High Dose Rate Remote Afterloader licenses authorize the use of large activity byproduct material sealed sources, typically 10 curies of iridium-192, that are transported to outlying small hospitals, nursing homes, etc., for cancer brachytherapy. These sources are connected to a wire and contained in a shielded device that feeds the source into the patient via a catheter. (If a medical institution conducts brachytherapy at outlying locations using a mobile high dose rate remote afterloader in addition to performing the routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures referenced in 35.100, 35.200, 35.300, 35.400, and 35.500 at the permanent site, the license should be assigned a primary program code of 02231 and secondary program codes of 02120, 02121, or 02500.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 35.400 | Inspection Program Category: G2 Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 7C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Mobile Therapy | Program Code 02240 |
Mobile Therapy licenses authorize the use of byproduct material for cancer therapy other than mobile HDR (see program code 02231.) Equipment for these treatments is transported to outlying small hospitals, nursing homes, etc.
10 CFR Citation: Part 35 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: Applicable to the Licensed Activity | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Teletherapy | Program Code 02300 |
Teletherapy licenses authorize the use of cobalt-60 or cesium-137 for external beam cancer therapy. Many of the teletherapy licensees also have a medical institution license (see program codes 02110, 02120, and 02121.) Most of the licensees in this group also possess x-ray machines and linear accelerators that are outside NRC jurisdiction.
10 CFR Citation: Part 35.13 | Inspection Program Category: G3 Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 7A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Stereotactic Radiosurgery - Gamma Knife | Program Code 02310 |
Stereotactic Radiosurgery - Gamma Knife licenses are issued for the use and possession of a gamma knife, a radiation therapy unit containing cobalt-60 that is located in a hemispherical shield with collimator ports directed to a single three-dimensional focus inside the unit. These units are used for the treatment of intracranial anomalies.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: G2 Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 7A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Veterinary Non-Human | Program Code 02400 |
Veterinary licenses are issued to veterinarians for the possession and use of radionuclides in medical diagnosis or therapy procedures on animals. This category does not include any animal research or any of the activities described above in program codes 02110 and 02120.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30 | Inspection Program Category: G2 Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
In Vitro Testing Laboratories | Program Code 02410 |
In Vitro Testing Laboratory licenses are issued to individuals or facilities for the possession and use of radionuclides for performing in vitro analyses and are not included in larger programs covered by program codes 02110 and 02120.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30 | Inspection Program Category: G2 Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Nuclear Pharmacies | Program Code 02500 |
Nuclear Pharmacy licenses are issued to nuclear pharmacies for the possession and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals and other items to hospitals and physicians. These licensees usually purchase various radioactive materials in bulk from larger firms and prepare and distribute patient dosages. Note that most customers are medical use licensees.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.72 | Inspection Program Category: G1 Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 3C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Medical Product Distribution - 32.72 Prepared Radiopharmaceuticals | Program Code 02511 |
Medical Product Distribution licenses are issued to individuals or organizations for the distribution of prepared radiopharmaceuticals containing byproduct material to persons who have been issued a specific license under Part 35.11 for the possession and medical use of byproduct material specified in Section 35.100, 35.200, or 35.300.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.72 | Inspection Program Category: B Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3D (not involving processing of byproduct material) 3C |
|
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Medical Product Distribution - 32.74 Sources and Devices | Program Code 02513 |
Medical Product Distribution licenses are issued to individuals or organizations for the distribution of sources and devices containing byproduct material to persons who have been issued a specific license under Part 35.11 to use a calibration or reference source or for the possession and medical use of byproduct material specified in 10 CFR Parts 35.400 or 35.500.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.74 | Inspection Program Category: B Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3D (not involving processing of byproduct material) 3C |
|
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Well Logging Licenses |
Well logging licenses are issued to firms for the possession and use of radionuclides for subsurface surveying to obtain geological information. These testing procedures are primarily used in oil, gas, and mineral exploration to identify subsurface geologic formations.
Well Logging Byproduct and/or SNM Tracer and Sealed Sources | Program Code 03110 |
Well Logging Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material Tracer and Sealed Sources licenses are issued for the possession and use of both sealed and unsealed sources in connection with the exploration for oil, gas, or minerals in wells.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 39.11 and 39.13 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 5A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Well Logging Byproduct and/or SNM Sealed Sources Only | Program Code 03111 |
Well Logging Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material Sealed Sources Only licenses are issued for the possession and use of only sealed sources to be used in connection with the exploration for oil, gas, or minerals in wells. Occasionally, licenses are also issued for the study of subsurface potable aquifers.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 39.11 and 39.13 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 5A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Well Logging Byproduct Only - Tracers Only | Program Code 03112 |
Well Logging Byproduct Only - Tracers Only licenses are issued for the possession and use of only unsealed byproduct material to be used in connection with the exploration for oil, gas, or minerals in wells.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 39.11 and 39.13 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 5A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Field Flooding Studies | Program Code 03113 |
Field Flooding Study licenses are issued for the injection of unsealed byproduct material into large areas for tracing oil and gas reservoirs.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 39.11 and 39.13 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 5B | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Measuring Systems |
Measuring System licenses are issued for the possession and use of measuring devices such as gauges and gas chromatographs containing radionuclides. Frequently, the equipment is serviced and leak tested by the manufacturer or lessor of the equipment.
Measuring Systems Fixed | Program Code 03120 |
Measuring Systems Fixed Gauge licenses are issued for the possession and use of nonportable gauging devices, i.e., gauges mounted in fixed locations that are designed for measurement or control of material density, flow, level, thickness, or weight, etc. The gauges contain sealed sources that radiate through the substance being measured to a readout or controlling device.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Measuring Systems Portable Gauges | Program Code 03121 |
Measuring Systems Portable Gauge licenses are issued for the possession and use of a portable gauging device, such as a moisture density gauge used at field locations. These gauges contain a gamma-emitting sealed source, usually cesium-137, and/or a sealed neutron source, usually americium-241 and beryllium.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E1 Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Measuring Systems Analytical Instruments | Program Code 03122 |
Measuring Systems Analytical Instrument licenses are issued for the possession and use of analytical systems such as x-ray fluorescence analyzers that do not fit any of the other measuring system category descriptions.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E2 Priority: 7 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Measuring Systems Gas Chromatographs | Program Code 03123 |
Measuring Systems Gas Chromatograph licenses are issued for the possession and use of gas chromatographs to be used for quality control testing in industrial processes.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 7 |
Fee Category: 3P Fee | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Measuring Systems Other | Program Code 03124 |
Measuring System Other licenses are issued for the possession and use of instrument calibrators, krypton leak detectors, and other measuring systems that do not fit the category descriptions for the measuring system categories (program codes 03120-03123.) Note: Although this program code was previously used for "storage only" of byproduct, source and special nuclear material, program codes 03800, 03810, 11800, 11810, 23300, and 23310 should be used for "storage only."
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 7 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Manufacturing and Distribution
Manufacturing and Distribution Broad and Manufacturing and Distribution Other licenses are issued for the manufacture and distribution of products containing byproduct material in various forms for a number of diverse purposes. The products are distributed usually to persons specifically licensed by NRC or an Agreement State. Licensees include medical suppliers that process, package, and distribute products such as diagnostic test kits, radioactive surgical implants, and tagged radiochemicals for use in medical, academic, and industrial research, and for diagnosis and therapy. Licensees are also suppliers who, after purchasing bulk quantities of byproduct material, process, encapsulate, package, and distribute these sealed sources for use in gamma radiography, cobalt irradiation, well logging, etc. Major products include gamma radiography sources, cobalt irradiation sources, well logging sources, sources for gauges and smoke detectors, and radiochemicals for non-medical research. Firms are also involved with the manufacture, assembly, and distribution of various other products that contain radionuclides. The broad licenses are issued to the larger facilities having more comprehensive radiological protection programs. It is also interesting to note that distribution is authorized under a separate license with, for example, an "E" or "G" suffix.
Manufacturing and Distribution Broad-Type A | Program Code 03211 |
Manufacturing and Distribution Broad-Type A licenses are issued to larger organizations where there is often quite a diversity in the use of various radionuclides. The kinds and uses of radionuclides may change frequently, even within the same organization. Broad-Type A licenses are used for programs run by a Radiation Safety Committee that designates the authorized users of the material. The Radiation Safety Committee also has a full-time Radiation Safety Officer (RSO.) These licenses authorize the possession and use of a wide variety of radioactive material without having each radionuclide and authorization specifically listed on the license. Quantities are usually in the multicurie range. (See also the introductory remarks and Broad-Type A description in 10 CFR Part 33.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.13 | Inspection Program Category: B Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 3A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Manufacturing and Distribution Broad-Type B | Program Code 03212 |
Manufacturing and Distribution Broad-Type B licenses are issued for the possession and use of fewer radionuclides and in smaller quantities than for Type A licenses. (See Part 33.100, Schedule A, Column I. See also the introductory remarks and Broad-Type B description in 10 CFR Part 33.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.14 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Manufacturing and Distribution Broad-Type C | Program Code 03213 |
Manufacturing and Distribution Broad-Type C licenses are issued for the possession and use of a limited number of radionuclides and in smaller quantities than for Type B licenses. (See Part 33.100, Schedule A, Column II. See also the introductory remarks and Broad-Type C description in 10 CFR Part 33.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.15 | Inspection Program Category: E1C Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Manufacturing and Distribution Other | Program Code 03214 |
Manufacturing and Distribution Other licenses are issued to smaller firms that require a more restrictive license.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3B | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Nuclear Laundry | Program Code 03218 |
Nuclear Laundry licenses are issued for the cleaning of protective clothing contaminated with radioactive material. Firms in this industry often provide nuclear cleaning services as part of a full line of uniform rental or health physics services.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 6A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Decontamination Services | Program Code 03219 |
Decontamination Services licenses authorize the cleaning and release of contaminated material, usually scrap metal, for unrestricted use.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 3N | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Leak Test Service Only | Program Code 03220 |
Leak Test Service Only licenses are issued to commercial service organizations (those that offer their services to other licensees) for the possession and use of radioactive material for leak testing sealed sources or devices containing sealed sources, analyzing leak test samples, and supplying pre-registered leak test kits. Many facilities own or lease equipment, such as gauges or industrial radiographic cameras, containing sealed sources that have to be periodically tested for removable contamination. This is usually done by wiping the potentially contaminated surfaces of the device or, in some cases, the surface of the sealed source and analyzing the wipe for radioactive contamination.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 7 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Instrument Calibration Service Only, Source Less Than 100 Curies | Program Code 03221 |
These Instrument Calibration Service Only licenses are issued to commercial service organizations (those that offer their services to other licensees) for the possession and use of sealed sources for calibration of radiation survey and monitoring instruments. Each source must have less than 100 curies (3.7 TBq) of radioactive material.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Instrument Calibration Service Only, Source Greater Than 100 Curies | Program Code 03222 |
Instrument Calibration Service Only licenses are issued to service organizations (those that offer their services to other licensees) for the possession and use of sealed sources for commercial calibration of radiation survey and monitoring instruments. One or more sources has more than 100 curies (3.7 TBq) of radioactive material.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Other Services | Program Code 03225 |
Other Services licenses are issued to service organizations (those that offer their services to other licensees) for the possession and use of radioactive material for commercial services, such as teletherapy or industrial gauge servicing, that are not covered in the descriptions for program codes 03220-03224.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3N | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Waste Disposal Service |
Waste disposal service licenses authorize the collection, transportation, and storage of radioactive wastes. These licenses authorize firms to collect packaged waste material, transport the waste, and temporarily store it before transporting the waste to an authorized burial ground. Some licenses authorize the opening of packages and treatment of the waste to reduce the volume, e.g., compaction.
Waste Disposal (Burial) | Program Code 03231 |
Waste Disposal (Burial) licenses authorize the commercial disposal of radioactive wastes containing byproduct, source, and special nuclear material received from other persons. They are also used as a secondary code for organizations authorized to dispose of their own waste (non-commercial.)
10 CFR Citation: Parts 27, 30 and 61 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 4A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Waste Disposal Service Prepackaged Only | Program Code 03232 |
Waste Disposal Service Prepackaged Only licenses authorize the pick-up, transportation, and storage of only already packaged wastes. This license does not authorize the opening of the packages.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: D1 Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 4C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Waste Disposal Service Incineration | Program Code 03233 |
Waste Disposal Service Incineration licenses authorize the commercial receipt of wastes from other persons and disposal of the wastes by incineration.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 20.2004 and 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: D Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 4A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Waste Disposal Service Processing and/or Repackaging | Program Code 03234 |
Waste Disposal Service Processing and/or Repackaging licenses authorize the receipt of packaged wastes from other persons, opening of the packages, compacting and repackaging of wastes, and transfer to an authorized burial ground for disposal.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: D Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 4B | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Incineration, Non-Commercial | Program Code 03235 |
SECONDARY CODE ONLY |
Incineration, Non-Commercial licenses are issued to organizations authorized to incinerate their own radioactive wastes, pursuant to 10 CFR 20.2004.
10 CFR Citation: Part 20.2004 and 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: N/A |
Fee Category: See Primary Code |
Waste Treatment Service (Other Than Compaction) | Program Code 03236 |
Waste Treatment Service (Other Than Compaction) licenses authorize both the receipt of wastes from other persons and treatment operations more complicated than compacting and repackaging of wastes, and the transfer to an authorized burial ground for disposal. Waste Treatment Service licenses authorize the physical or chemical treatment of contaminated soil and other solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes. Such waste treatment authorizes removing radioactive materials from waste, reducing the volume of the waste, changing the form of waste, or other similar operations to allow for the transfer of the treated waste to an interim storage facility or an authorized burial ground for disposal. For contaminated soil or water, this includes activities related to site evaluation before waste treatment. This code should not be used for incineration. Program codes 03233 or 03235 (secondary code) should be used for incineration.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 and 40.32 | Inspection Program Category: N/A |
Fee Category: 4A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
General License Distribution |
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General License Distribution licenses are issued for the distribution of byproduct material, usually sealed sources in devices, to general licensees. Examples of such items are gauges, luminous aircraft safety devices, calibration and reference sources, ice detection devices, and in vitro test kits. The requirements for a license for distribution to general licensees are specified in various sections of 10 CFR Part 32. A general licensee does not need to submit a formal application and does not receive a formal license. The conditions of a general license are contained in 10 CFR Part 31. These licenses generally do not authorize possession/use and have a "G" suffix.
General License Distribution - 32.51 | Program Code 03240 |
General License Distribution - 32.51 licenses are issued to organizations for the transfer of byproduct material in sealed sources contained in devices to persons who may be general licensees under Part 31.5. (Licenses authorizing manufacture and distribution are described in program codes 03211-03214.) General licenses under Part 31.5 are issued to commercial and industrial firms and to research, educational, and medical institutions for possession of material in devices designed for detecting, measuring, gauging, or controlling density, thickness, radiation leakage, or chemical composition, or for producing light or an ionized atmosphere.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.51 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3J | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
General License Distribution - 32.53 | Program Code 03241 |
General License Distribution - 32.53 licenses are issued to organizations for the distribution of luminous aircraft safety devices to persons who may be general licensees under Part 31.7. General licenses under Part 31.7 are issued for possession and use of tritium or promethium-147 contained in luminous aircraft safety devices, where the device contains less than 10 curies (370 GBq) of tritium or 300 millicuries (11.1 GBq) of promethium-147.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.53 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3J | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
General License Distribution - 32.57 | Program Code 03242 |
General License Distribution - 32.57 licenses are issued to organizations for the distribution of calibration or reference sources to persons who may be general licensees under Part 31.8. General licenses under Part 31.8 are issued for possession and use of americium-241 in calibration and reference sources. A person may be a general licensee under this provision only if they already possess a specific license.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.57 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3K | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
General License Distribution - 32.61 | Program Code 03243 |
General License Distribution - 32.61 licenses are issued to organizations for the distribution of ice detection devices to persons who may be general licensees under Part 31.10. General licenses under Part 31.10 are issued for possession and use of strontium-90 in ice detection devices.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.61 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3J | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
General License Distribution - 32.71 | Program Code 03244 |
General License Distribution - 32.71 licenses are issued to organizations for the distribution of byproduct material to persons who may be general licensees under Part 31.11. General licenses under Part 31.11 are issued to physicians, hospitals, clinical laboratories, or veterinarians in the practice of veterinary medicine for the possession of specified byproduct material in prepackaged units for use in certain in vitro clinical or laboratory tests.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.71 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3K | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Exempt Distribution |
Exempt Distribution licenses are issued for the commercial distribution of byproduct material to persons who are exempt from the licensing requirements. These Exemptions and their limitations, if any, are contained in 10 CFR Parts 30.14-30.20, inclusive. Examples of exempt items are watches, balances, locks, compasses, electron tubes, synthetic plastic resin for sand consolidation, and smoke detectors. The requirements for a license to distribute byproduct material to persons exempt from licensing are contained in 10 CFR Part 32. These licenses generally do not authorize possession and have an "E" suffix.
Exempt Distribution - 32.11: Exempt Concentrations and Items | Program Code 03250 |
These Exempt Distribution licenses authorize (1) the transfer of byproduct material or a product containing byproduct material owned by or in the possession of the licensee; and (2) the transfer of ownership or possession of the material or product containing the byproduct material to persons exempt from the licensing requirements of Part 30.14. The residual byproduct material in a product must be the result of use of byproduct material for another purpose, e.g., a tracer study in a refinery could result in residual contamination of the gasoline, kerosene, or heating oil being produced by the refinery.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.11 | Inspection Program Category: E2 Category: G2 Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3I | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Exempt Distribution - 32.14: Certain Items | Program Code 03251 |
These Exempt Distribution licenses authorize (1) the transfer of certain products containing byproduct material, as specified in Part 30.15, or (2) the initial transfer for sale or distribution of products specified in Part 30.15 to persons exempt from licensing requirements.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.14 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3I or 3H | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Exempt Distribution - 32.17: Resins | Program Code 03252 |
These Exempt Distribution licenses are issued for the initial transfer for sale or distribution of synthetic plastic resins containing scandium-46 and designed for sand consolidation in oil wells to persons exempt from the licensing requirements of 10 CFR 30.16.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.17 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3I | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Exempt Distribution - 32.18: Small Quantities | Program Code 03253 |
These Exempt Distribution licenses are issued for the commercial distribution of small quantities of byproduct material to persons exempt from the licensing requirements of 10 CFR 30.18.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.18 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3I | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Exempt Distribution - 32.22: Self Luminous Products | Program Code 03254 |
These Exempt Distribution licenses are issued for the initial transfer of self-luminous products containing tritium, krypton-85, or promethium-147 to persons exempt from the licensing requirements of 10 CFR 30.19.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.22 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3I or 3H | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Exempt Distribution - 32.26: Smoke Detectors | Program Code 03255 |
These Exempt Distribution licenses are issued for the initial transfer of gas and aerosol detectors containing byproduct material and designed to protect life or property from fire and airborne hazards to persons exempt from the licensing requirements of 10 CFR 30.20.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.26 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3H | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Exempt Distribution - 32.21: Carbon-14 Urea Capsules | Program Code 03256 |
These Exempt Distribution licenses are issued for the commercial distribution of a radioactive drug containing one microcurie of carbon-14 to persons exempt from the licensing requirements of 10 CFR 30.21.
10 CFR Citation: Part 32.21 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3I | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Industrial Radiography |
Industrial Radiography licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed radioactive materials, usually in exposure devices or "cameras," that emit gamma rays for nondestructive examination of pipelines, weld joints, steel structures, boilers, aircraft, ship parts, and other high stress alloy parts. The radioisotopes most commonly used are cobalt-60 and iridium-192. Radiography can be conducted either in a permanent facility or at a temporary job site.
Industrial Radiography Fixed Location | Program Code 03310 |
Industrial Radiography Fixed Location licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed radioactive materials in exposure devices. These licenses are issued to organizations to conduct activities only at permanent facilities, usually designed and shielded for radiography; however, a "field site" could be authorized as a place of use.
10 CFR Citation: Part 34.11 | Inspection Program Category: C Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 3O | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Industrial Radiography Temporary Job Sites | Program Code 03320 |
Industrial Radiography Temporary Job Sites licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed radioactive materials in exposure devices. These licenses are issued to organizations to conduct activities at multiple temporary locations.
10 CFR Citation: Part 34.11 | Inspection Program Category: C1 Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 3O | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Irradiators |
Irradiator licenses are issued for the possession and use of high activity sealed sources of radioactive material in an irradiator constructed so that the sealed sources and the material being irradiated are contained in a shielded volume. Primary uses include non-human medical and non-medical research conducted chiefly by universities and industrial uses, such as the sterilization of medical products and drugs, and treating of hardwoods, plastics, and semi-conductor materials. The radioisotopes most commonly used in these irradiators are cobalt-60 and cesium-137. Self-shielded units are designed so that the operator cannot inadvertently place any part of his/her body in the path of the beam. Units other than self-shielded units may rely on facility alarms and interlocks to prevent accidental exposure to radiation. "Irradiators Other" include units where the source is stored and/or used under water.
Irradiators Self Shielded Less Than 10,000 Curies | Program Code 03510 |
These Irradiators Self Shielded licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed sources of byproduct material in devices in that the total radioactivity is less than 10,000 curies (370 TBq.) The device is constructed so that there is no external beam during use and is "usually a small cabinet type device that is not built in."
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3E | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Irradiators Other Less Than 10,000 Curies | Program Code 03511 |
These Irradiators Other licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed sources of byproduct material in devices in that the total radioactivity is less than 10,000 curies (370 TBq.) The device does not provide shielding from the radiation beam, so additional shielding needs to be provided and special radiation protection precautions need to be taken.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3F | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Irradiators Self-Shielded Greater Than 10,000 Curies | Program Code 03520 |
These Irradiators Self-Shielded licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed sources of byproduct material in devices in that the total radioactivity is 10,000 curies (370 TBq) or more. The device is constructed so that there is no external beam during use and is "usually a small cabinet type device that is not built in."
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3E | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Irradiators Other Greater Than 10,000 Curies | Program Code 03521 |
These Irradiators Other licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed sources of byproduct material in devices in that the total radioactivity is 10,000 curies (370 TBq) or more. The device does not provide shielding from the radiation beam, so additional shielding needs to be provided and special radiation protection precautions need to be taken.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E3 Priority: 1(2) |
Fee Category: 3G | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Research and Development |
Research and Development licenses are issued to private organizations, universities, and government agencies for the possession and use of radionuclides in research. Typical uses include irradiation of materials, tracers, and catalysts in chemical reactions; measurement using industrial gauges; and the identification of substances in compounds. In private industry, uses are primarily in product development. In academic institutions, research and development includes training of students in the use of radioactive materials. Broad licenses are issued to larger facilities having a more comprehensive radiation protection program where the types of research being conducted may fluctuate rapidly. Typical activities include environmental analysis, food quality studies, aerospace and engineering applications, and product development.
Research and Development Broad-Type A | Program Code 03610 |
Research and Development Broad-Type A licenses are issued to larger organizations where there is a diversity in the use of various radionuclides. The kinds and uses of radionuclides may change frequently, even within the same organization. Broad-Type A licenses are used for programs run by a Radiation Safety Committee that designates the authorized users of the material. The Radiation Safety Committee also has a full time Radiation Safety Officer (RSO.) These licenses are issued for the possession and use of a wide variety of radioactive material without having each radionuclide and authorized use listed on the license. Quantities are usually in the multicurie range. (See also the introductory remarks and Broad-Type A description in 10 CFR Part 33.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.13 | Inspection Program Category: E1A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 3L | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Research and Development Broad-Type B | Program Code 03611 |
Research and Development Broad-Type B licenses are issued for the possession and use of fewer radionuclides and smaller quantities of byproduct material than Type A licenses. (See Part 33.100, Schedule A, Column I. See also the introductory remarks and Broad-Type B description in 10 CFR Part 33.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.14 | Inspection Program Category: E1B Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 3L | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Research and Development Broad-Type C | Program Code 03612 |
Research and Development Broad-Type C licenses are issued for the possession and use of a limited number of radionuclides and smaller quantities of byproduct material than Type B licenses. (See Part 33.100, Schedule A, Column II. See also the introductory remarks and Broad-Type C description in 10 CFR Part 33.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.15 | Inspection Program Category: E1C Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3L | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Research and Development Broad-Multisite-Multiregional | Program Code 03613 |
Research and Development Broad-Multisite-Multiregional licenses are issued for the possession and use of material at fixed facilities in more than one Region (e.g., the Department of the Air Force or the Department of the Navy). (See also the introductory remarks and R&D Broad-Type A program code 03610 description.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 33.12 | Inspection Program Category: E1A Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 3L | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee (Federal Agencies Exempt) 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee (Air Force and Navy Master Licenses, a.k.a. Fee Category 17 under 171.) |
Research and Development Other | Program Code 03620 |
Research and Development Other licenses are issued for the possession and use of specifically designated radionuclides in academic institutions, industrial facilities, and medical institutions for non-human research.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 3M | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Civil Defense | Program Code 03710 |
Civil Defense licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed sources for training individuals in civil defense activities, such as calibrating and demonstrating the use of radiation survey and monitoring equipment.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.33 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 8A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Byproduct Material Possession Only - Permanent Shutdown | Program Code 03800 |
Byproduct Material Possession Only - Permanent Shutdown licenses authorize possession and/or storage of residual contamination or other byproduct material in anticipation of removal of all licensed material and eventual termination of the license. This license is for licensees that have stated in writing that they have permanently ceased operations with no intent to restart. A formal request for license termination is not required at this time. Only packaging and shipping operations necessary to remove licensed materials from the site are authorized. No decontamination or other work involving byproduct material is authorized. (This code should not be used for licenses covered by program codes 03232, 03900, or 06100. Additionally, program codes that were used previous to this one should be used as secondary codes to ensure traceability of license types within the LTS.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.32 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Byproduct Material Standby - No Operations | Program Code 03810 |
Byproduct Material Standby - No Operations licenses authorize possession and/or storage of byproduct material for licensees that are not conducting the principal activity for that the license was issued but have not yet decided to cease operations permanently. Only packaging and shipping operations necessary to remove licensed material from the site are authorized. No decontamination or other work involving byproduct material is authorized. (This program code should not be used for licenses covered by program codes 03232, 03900, or 06100. Additionally, program codes that were used previous to this one should be used as secondary codes to ensure traceability of license types within the LTS.)
10 CFR Citation: Parts 30, 170 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 3P | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Decommissioning of Byproduct Material Facilities | Program Code 03900 |
Decommissioning of Byproduct Material Facilities licenses authorize activities for licensees that have notified NRC of their intent to terminate all or part of their activities involving byproduct material and decommission their facility(s.) A plan may have been submitted for decontaminating the property and equipment so that it may be released for unrestricted use. Includes licensees performing decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, or site restoration in order to release a facility.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30.32 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 14 | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Storage of Reactor Low-Level Waste | Program Code 06100 |
Storage of Reactor Low-Level Waste licenses are issued to operating power reactors to allow additional onsite storage of low-level radioactive wastes generated onsite.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30 | Inspection Program Category: See 1 Priority: See 1 |
Fee Category: 4A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Low-Level Waste Storage - Other | Program Code 06101 |
SECONDARY CODE |
Low-Level Waste Storage - Other licenses are issued to allow onsite storage of low-level radioactive waste generated onsite.
10 CFR Citation: Part 30 | Inspection Program Category: See 1 Priority: See 1 |
Fee Category: Applicable to the licensed activity |
Source Material Program Codes |
Source materials are materials essential to the production of special nuclear materials. Source material includes (1) uranium (and depleted uranium produced as enrichment tails) or thorium, or any combination thereof, in any physical or chemical form or (2) ores that contain by weight 0.05% or more of uranium, thorium, or any combination thereof. (See 10 CFR 40.4 for a definition of source material.)
Source Material licenses are issued for the possession and use of refined uranium and/or thorium for fabrication, research, and manufacture of consumer products such as ceramics and glassware; manufacture of refractories; uranium shielding; analytical standards; and other uses not specifically classified. A smaller number of these licenses are issued to allow the possession of uranium and/or thorium for other uses such as distribution and storage. An even smaller number of these licenses are issued to allow the use of uranium in subcritical assemblies. Priority sections denoted as 1/0 indicate that inspections are done at least annually but that the LTS tracks "O."
Mills | Program Code 11100 |
Mill licenses are issued for the extraction of uranium from uranium ore. In milling operations, the ore is crushed, ground to a fine mesh, and chemically treated to extract the uranium and convert it to a form called yellowcake.
10 CFR Citation: Part 40 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 2A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Source Material Other Less Than 150 Kilograms | Program Code 11200 |
These Source Material Other licenses are issued for the possession and use of source material for fabrication, research, or manufacture of consumer products. These licenses do not allow the possession of more than 150 kilograms of material.
10 CFR Citation: Part 40 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 2C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Source Material Shielding | Program Code 11210 |
Source Material Shielding licenses are issued for the possession and use of source material in shielding for protection against radiation.
10 CFR Citation: Part 40 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 7 |
Fee Category: 2B | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Source Material Military Munitions Indoor Testing | Program Code 11220 |
Source Material Military Munitions Indoor Testing licenses are issued for the possession, use, and testing of depleted uranium products designed for the military. The testing is done within an enclosure -- the testing usually results in fragmentation of the munitions.
10 CFR Citation: Part 40 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 2C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Source Material Military Munitions Outdoor Testing | Program Code 11221 |
Source Material Military Munitions Outdoor Testing licenses are issued for the possession, use, and testing of depleted uranium products designed for the military.
10 CFR Citation: Part 40 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 2C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Source Material General License Distribution - 40.34 | Program Code 11230 |
Source Material General License Distribution licenses are issued either to authorize the initial transfer of industrial products and devices containing depleted uranium or to initially transfer such products or devices to persons who have been issued a general license under Part 40.25. (A general license under Part 40.25 authorizes the receipt, acquisition, possession, use, or transfer of depleted uranium contained in industrial products or devices for the purpose of providing a concentrated mass in a small volume of the product or device.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 40.34 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 2C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Source Material Other Greater Than 150 Kilograms | Program Code 11300 |
These Source Material Other licenses are issued for the possession and use of source material for fabrication, research, or manufacture of consumer products. These licenses authorize the possession of more than 150 kilograms of material.
10 CFR Citation: Part 40.32 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 2C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Uranium Hexafluoride Production Plants | Program Code 11400 |
Uranium Hexafluoride Production Plant licenses are issued for the possession and use of uranium to allow the conversion of yellowcake and/or ore concentrates to uranium hexafluoride (UF6.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 40.32 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 2A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Solution Mining (R&D and Commercial Plants) | Program Code 11500 |
Solution Mining licenses are issued for the extraction of uranium from uranium ores. The only mining operation licensed by NRC is solution mining, that is leaching of ore by injection of liquid chemicals into the geologic formation. (Conventional mining is not under NRC jurisdiction.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 40.32 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 2A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Heap Leach, Ore Buying Stations and Byproduct Recovery | Program Code 11600 |
Heap Leach, Ore Buying Stations and Byproduct Recovery licenses are issued for the recovery of source material from low grade uranium ores, from old tailings piles, or from a small ore body at a location distant from the mill complex. The heap leach process consists of spraying or trickling an acid solution over sections of the heap pile. Pipes or covered drains in the base of the pile collect the uranium-enriched solution after it percolates through the heap.
10 CFR Citation: Part 40.32 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 2A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Rare Earth Extraction and Processing | Program Code 11700 |
Rare Earth Extraction and Processing licenses are issued for the possession and use of source material for processing activities not directly related to the nuclear fuel cycle. This category includes licenses for extraction of metals, heavy metals, and rare earths. The extraction may be accomplished by a number of different methods, with the source material generally considered to be a waste product. This program code category is not used for milling operations (program code 11100), licenses for uranium hexafluoride production (program code 11400), or licenses for processing and recovery of source material in in situ or heap leaching operations (program code 11500.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 40 | Inspection Program Category: E Priority: 3 |
Fee Category: 2A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Source Material Possession Only - Permanent Shutdown | Program Code 11800 |
Source Material Possession Only - Permanent Shutdown licenses authorize possession and/or storage of residual contamination, tailings piles, slag piles, or other source material in anticipation of removal of all licensed material and eventual termination of the license. This license is for licensees that have stated in writing that they have permanently ceased operations with no intent to restart. A formal request for license termination is not required at this time. Only packaging and shipping operations necessary to remove licensed material from the site are authorized. No decontamination or other work involving the material is authorized. (Program codes that were used previous to this one should be used as secondary codes to ensure traceability of license types within the LTS.)
10 CFR Citation: Parts 40, 51, and 170 | Inspection Program Category: UFO Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 2C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Source Material Standby - No Operations | Program Code 11810 |
Source Material Standby - No Operations licenses authorize possession and/or storage of source material for licensees that are not conducting the principal activity for that the license was issued but have not yet decided to cease operations permanently. Only packaging and shipping operations necessary to remove licensed material from the site are authorized. No decontamination or other work involving source material is authorized. (Program codes that were used previous to this code should be used as secondary codes to ensure traceability of license types within the LTS.)
10 CFR Citation: Parts 40, 51, and 170 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 2C | |
10 CFR 70.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Decommissioning of Source Material Facilities | Program Code 11900 |
Decommissioning of Source Material Facilities licenses are issued for facilities that have notified NRC of their intent to terminate all or part of their activities involving source material and authorize decommissioning the facilities where the activities were performed. A plan may have been submitted for decontaminating the property and equipment so that it may be released for unrestricted use. This includes licenses that authorize decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, or site restoration to release a facility.
10 CFR Citation: Part 40 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 14 | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Special Nuclear Material Program Codes |
Special nuclear materials include plutonium, uranium-233, uranium enriched in the isotopes of uranium-233 or uranium-235, and any material artificially enriched in any of these materials. (See 10 CFR 40.4 and 70.4 for a definition of special nuclear material.) Priority sections denoted as "1/0" indicate that inspections are done at least annually, but the LTS tracks "O."
Hot Cell Operations td> | Program Code 21130 |
Hot Cell Operations licenses are issued for the processing and fabrication of reactor fuels containing uranium and/or plutonium for experimental purposes. Some facilities also perform chemical operations to recover the uranium and plutonium from scrap and other off-specifications materials.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0* |
Fee Category: 1A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
*Typically three inspections per year
Decommissioning of Advanced Fuel R&D and Pilot Plants | Program Code 21135 |
Decommissioning of Advanced Fuel R&D and Pilot Plants licenses are issued for a facility that has notified the Commission of its intent to terminate a portion or all of its activities involving special nuclear materials and/or has submitted to NRC a plan and schedule for decontaminating the facilities, property, and equipment so that it may be released for unrestricted use. This program code is used only when the license authorizes the decommissioning or decontamination.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 14 | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Uranium Enrichment Plants(3) | Program Code 21200 |
Uranium Enrichment Plants licenses are issued for the possession and use of source and special nuclear material for the purpose of enriching natural uranium in the U-235 isotope. Existing and planned plants enrich uranium in the form of uranium hexafluoride, either by gaseous diffusion or gas centrifuge methods. Future plants may use other forms of uranium and methods of enrichment. Plants whose product is for eventual use in commercial power reactors enrich uranium up to About 5 percent U-235, while plants whose product is for naval reactor propulsion enrich uranium to greater than 90 percent U-235.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 40, 70 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 1E | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Uranium Fuel Fabrication Plants(4) | Program Code 21210 |
Uranium Fuel Fabrication Plants licenses are issued for the possession and use of special nuclear material for the purpose of fabricating uranium fuel elements. In most uranium facilities where light water reactor fuels are processed, low-enriched uranium hexafluoride is converted to uranium dioxide pellets and inserted into zirconium tubes. The tubes are fabricated into fuel assemblies, that are shipped to commercial nuclear power plants. In other facilities, high-enriched uranium is processed into naval reactor fuel and fabricated into naval reactor cores or core components. Licenses are for possession and use of 5 kilograms or more of uranium-235 that has been enriched to less than 20 percent.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 1A | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Decommissioning of Uranium Fuel Fabrication Plants | Program Code 21215 |
Decommissioning of Uranium Fuel Fabrication Plants licenses are issued for a facility that has notified NRC of its intent to terminate a portion or all of its activities involving special nuclear materials and/or has submitted to NRC a plan and schedule for decontaminating the facilities, property, and equipment so that it may be released for unrestricted use. This program code is used only when the license authorizes the decontamination or decommissioning.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program ctegory: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 14 | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Uranium Fuel Research and Development and Pilot Plants | Program Code 21240 |
Uranium Fuel Research and Development and Pilot Plants licenses are issued for the possession and use of enriched uranium for purposes such as academic training and in research and development activities associated with nuclear fuel other than fuel processing (program code 21210.) Licenses authorize possession and use of 5 kilograms or more of enriched uranium-235 in unsealed form or 2 kilograms or more of uranium-233 in unsealed form.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 1A or 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Critical Mass Material Licenses | Program Codes 21310 and 21320 |
Critical Mass Material licenses are issued for the possession and use of special nuclear material in quantities sufficient to form a critical mass, specifically, more than 350 grams of enriched uranium-235, more than 200 grams of uranium-233, more than 200 grams of plutonium, or any combination thereof. Program code 21310 is for universities. Program code 21320 is for all licenses except those issued to universities.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: E1C Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 1A | |
10 CFR 170.11 License and Inspection Fee (exemption in � 170.11 may
apply to program code 21310) 10 CFR 171.11 Annual Fee (exemption in � 171.16 may apply to program code 21310) |
Decommissioning of Critical Mass - Other Than Fuel Fab | Program Code 21325 |
Decommissioning of Critical Mass - Other Than Fuel Fab licenses are issued for a facility that has notified NRC of its intent to terminate a portion or all of its activities involving special nuclear materials and/or has submitted to NRC a plan and schedule for decontaminating the facilities, property, and equipment so that it may be released for unrestricted use. This program code is used only when the license authorizes the decontamination or decommissioning.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: E1C Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 14 | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Special Nuclear Material Plutonium - Unsealed, Less Than a Critical Mass | Program Code 22110 |
Special Nuclear Material Plutonium - Unsealed, Less Than a Critical Mass licenses are issued for the possession and use of small quantities of plutonium (less than 200 grams total) in unsealed form for purposes such as biological and chemical testing and for calibration of instruments.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Special Nuclear Material, U-235 and/or U-233 - Unsealed, Less Than a Critical Mass | Program Code 22111 |
Special Nuclear Material U-235 and/or U-233 - Unsealed, Less Than a Critical Mass licenses are issued for the possession and use of small quantities of uranium (less than 350 grams of U-235 and/or less than 200 grams of U-233) in unsealed form for purposes such as biological and chemical testing and for calibration of instruments.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Special Nuclear Material Plutonium - Neutron Sources, Less Than 200 Grams | Program Code 22120 |
Special Nuclear Material Plutonium - Neutron Sources, Less Than 200 Grams licenses are issued for the possession and use of small quantities of plutonium (less than 200 grams total), usually combined with beryllium, as the source of neutrons for instrument calibration, teaching and demonstration purposes, and industrial applications.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: E2 Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Power Sources with Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material | Program Code 22130 |
Power Sources with Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material licenses are issued for the possession and use of byproduct and/or special nuclear material to generate heat or power that will be used for remote weather stations, space satellites, and other special applications.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 30 and 70 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 7 |
Fee Category: 3P, 3B or 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Special Nuclear Material Plutonium - Sealed Sources in Devices | Program Code 22140 |
Special Nuclear Material Plutonium - Sealed Sources in Devices licenses are issued for the possession and use of sealed sources containing special nuclear material installed in devices such as gauges.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: F Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 1C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Special Nuclear Material Plutonium - Sealed Sources Less Than a Critical Mass | Program Code 22150 |
Special Nuclear Material Plutonium - Sealed Sources Less Than a Critical Mass licenses are issued for the possession and use of small quantities of plutonium (less than 200 grams total) in sealed sources, for purposes such as biological and chemical testing and for calibration of instruments.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: F Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Special Nuclear Material, Uranium-235nd/or Uranium-233 Sealed Sources, Less Than a Critical Mass | Program Code 22151 |
Special Nuclear Material, U-235 and/or U-233 Sealed Sources, Less Than a Critical Mass licenses are issued for the possession and use of small quantities of uranium (less than 350 grams of U-235 and/or less than 200 grams of U-233) in sealed sources for purposes such as biological and chemical testing and for calibration of instruments.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: F Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Pacemaker-Byproduct Material and/or Special Nuclear Material |
Pacemaker-Byproduct Material and/or Special Nuclear Material licenses are issued to (1) medical facilities for the surgical implantation of pacemakers that are powered by a device containing byproduct or special nuclear material; (2) manufacturers and distributors for the distribution of these pacemakers; and (3) individuals, most often Canadian citizens on holiday, with implanted nuclear pacemakers, who are visiting the United States.
Pacemaker-Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material - Medical Institution | Program Code 22160 |
Pacemaker-Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material - Medical Institution licenses are issued to a medical facility for the surgical implantation of nuclear powered cardiac pacemakers and follow-up, recovery, and disposal of the pacemakers.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 30 and 70 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 7 |
Fee Category: 7C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Pacemaker-Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material - Individual | Program Code 22161 |
Pacemaker-Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material - Individual licenses are issued to the recipient of a surgically implanted nuclear powered cardiac pacemaker. These licenses authorize the person, usually from a foreign country, to possess the pacemaker while in the United States.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 30 and 70 | Inspection Program Category: K Priority: 7 |
Fee Category: Not subject to 10 CFR 170 and 10 CFR 171 fees. |
Pacemaker-Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material - Manufacturing and Distribution | Program Code 22162 |
Pacemaker-Byproduct and/or Special Nuclear Material - Manufacturing and Distribution licenses are issued for the manufacture of byproduct or special nuclear material powered cardiac pacemakers and the distribution of these pacemakers to licensees authorized to receive them.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 30 and 70 | Inspection Program Category: B Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 1D or 3B | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Special Nuclear Material, General License Distribution (70.39) | Program Code 22170 |
Special Nuclear Material, General License Distribution licenses are issued to individuals for the initial distribution of calibration or reference sources containing plutonium to persons who have been issued a general license under Part 70.19. General licenses under Part 70.19 authorize the possession and use of plutonium in calibration or reference sources. A person may be a general licensee under this provision only if the person is already a specific licensee.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70.39 | Inspection Program Category: B Priority: 5 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Decommissioning of Other SNM Facilities - Less Than Critical Mass | Program Code 22200 |
Decommissioning of Other SNM Facilities - Less Than Critical Mass licenses are issued for facilities not covered by other SNM program codes, that have notified NRC of their intent to terminate all or part of their activities involving special nuclear material and are authorized to decommission the facility(s.) A plan may have been submitted for decontaminating the property and equipment so that it may be released for unrestricted use. This includes licensees performing decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, or site restoration in order to release a facility. This program code is used only when the license specifically authorizes decommissioning or decontamination.
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 1 |
Fee Category: 14 | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Fresh Fuel Storage at Reactor Sites(5) | Program Code 23100 |
Fresh Fuel Storage at Reactor Sites licenses are issued to commercial
nuclear power reactors that have been granted a construction permit
but not an operating license (OL). These licenses authorize the storage
of new unirradiated reactor fuel elements containing special nuclear material.
Once a reactor has been granted an OL, this Part 70 materials license
is terminated. (The OL includes authorization for possession of the fuel.)
10 CFR Citation: Part 70 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.21 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Interim Spent Fuel Storage | Program Code 23200 |
Interim Spent Fuel Storage licenses are issued under 10 CFR Part 72 for possession of power reactor spent fuel and other radioactive materials associated with spent fuel storage, in an independent spent fuel storage installation. These licenses are issued for up to 20 years.
10 CFR Citation: Part 72 | Inspection Program Category: UFF Priority: 1/0 |
Fee Category: 1B, 13A, 13B, or 13C | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
SNM Possession Only (Non-Fuel) - Permanent Shutdown | Program Code 23300 |
SNM Possession Only (Non-Fuel) - Permanent Shutdown licenses authorize
possession and/or storage of residual contamination or other special nuclear
material in anticipation of removal of all licensed material and eventual
termination of the license. This license is for licensees that have stated
in writing that they have permanently ceased operations with no intent
to restart. A formal request for license termination is not required at
this time. Only packaging and shipping operations necessary to remove
licensed materials from the site are authorized. No decontamination or
other work involving the material is authorized. This category does not
include storage of fresh reactor fuel or spent reactor fuel (see program
codes 23100 and 23200.) (Program codes that were used previous to this
one should be used as secondary codes to ensure traceability of license
types within the LTS.)
10 CFR Citation: Parts 70, 170 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
SNM Standby (Non-Fuel) - No Operations | Program Code 23310 |
SNM Standby (Non-Fuel) - No Operations licenses authorize possession and/or storage of SNM for licensees that are not conducting the principal activity for that the license was issued, but have not yet decided to cease operations permanently. Only packaging and shipping operations necessary to remove licensed material from the site are authorized. No decontamination or other work involving the material is authorized. This category does not include storage of fresh reactor fuel or spent reactor fuel (see program codes 23100 and 23200.) (Program codes that were used previous to this one should be used as secondary codes to ensure traceability of license types within the LTS.)
10 CFR Citation: Parts 70, 170 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: 2 |
Fee Category: 1D | |
10 CFR 170.31 License Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
Transport-Private Carriage | Program Code 25101 |
Transport-Private Carriage licenses are issued for the possession of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials in packages authorized under Part 71 and in private carriage from a carrier's terminal to the licensee's facility, all within the United States.
10 CFR Citation: Parts 30, 40, and 70 | Inspection Program Category: N/A Priority: N/A |
Fee Category: 12 | |
10 CFR 170.31 License and Inspection Fee 10 CFR 171.16 Annual Fee |
[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
1. | Air Force (Master Materials License) | |
Department of the Air Force USAF Radioisotope Committee ATTN: Kristin N. Swenson, Lt Col, USAF USAF Radioisotope Committee Secretariat AFMOA/SGZR 110 Luke Avenue, Suite 405 Bolling AFB, DC 20332-7050 |
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USAF Contact: | Lt. Col. Kristin N. Swenson Phone: (202) 767-4308 Fax: (202) 404-8089 Emergency Number: 1-888-506-0383 (then enter your number) Alternate Contact: MAJ Mark Wrobel (202) 767-4309 |
|
Region IV NRC Contact: | Tony Gaines (817) 860-8252 |
2. | Army | |
a. Corps of Engineers: (civil works) | ||
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers eATTN: CESO-I (Richard L. Wright) Mailstop 3B74 441 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20314-1000 |
||
COE Contact: | Richard L. Wright Senior Industrial Hygienist Phone: (202) 761-8565 E-mail: Richard.L.Wright@HQ02.usace.army.mil Fax: (202) 761-1369 Emergency Number: (202) 761-1001 (duty and non-duty hours) |
|
b. Surgeon General: (all medical and teletherapy licenses) | ||
Director Proponency Office for Preventative Medicine San Antonio ATTN: MCPO-SA (COL Eric Daxon) 2050 Worth Road, Suite 25 Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234-6025 |
||
DASG Contact: | COL Eric Daxon Phone: (210) 221-6612 Fax: (210) 221-6673 Staff Duty Officer: (210) 221-6070 Emergency Number: (703) 697-0218 |
|
c. Army Program Manager: (worldwide industrial, R&D, test) | ||
Commander Headquarters U.S. Army Materiel Command ATTN: AMCSF-P (J. Manfre) 5001 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22333-0001 |
||
AMC Contact: | John Manfre Phone: (703) 617-9475 Voice Mail: (703) 617-9340 Fax: (703) 617-9469 E-mail: JMANFRE@HQAMC.ARMY.MIL Emergency Number: (703) 617-9223 Alternate Contact: Donald Pittenger Phone: (703) 617-9475 |
|
HQ AMC Contact: | COL Robert Cherry 200 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-0200 Phone: (703) 601-2413 Fax: (703) 601-2417 E-mail: M_1_CHERRYRN@HQDA.ARMY.MIL |
|
3. | Navy (Master Materials Licensee) | |
Department of the Navy Chief of Naval Operations (N-455) Navy Radiation Safety Committee ATTN: Executive Secretary (CDR Higgins) 2211 S. Clark Place Arlington, VA 22244-5108 |
||
USN Contact: | CDR Garry Higgins Phone: (703) 602-5365 Fax: (703) 602-4786 Emergency Number: (703) 602-2569 (N-45) |
|
NRC Region II Contact: | Mike Fuller (404) 562-4714 | |
4. | Defense Logistics Agency | |
Defense Logistics Agency ATTN: DSS-EHH (M. Coogen) 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 2533 Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6221 |
||
DLA Contact: | Michael Coogen Phone: (703) 767-6231 Fax: (703) 767-609 Emergency Numbers: (703) 767-6666 (after duty hours) (703) 767-5200 (weekend and holiday) E-mail: michael_coogen@hq.dla.mil |
|
NRC Region I Contact: | DNMS Branch 2 (License has PA address.) | |
5. | Department of Interior | |
Department of the Interior Office of the Secretary Office of Managing Risk and Public Safety ATTN: J. Harrison Daniel 755 Parfet Street, Suite 364 Lakewood, CO 80215 |
||
DOI Contact: | J. Harrison Daniel Phone: (303) 236-7128 (ext. 229) Fax: (303) 236-7336 E-mail: hdaniel@ios.doi.gov |
|
Back-up: | Raymond Kunicki 1849 C Street, N.W. MS 7356 Washington, DC 20246 Phone: (202) 219-0189 Fax: (202) 219-5078 |
|
6. | Department of Veteran Affairs (formerly Veterans Administration) |
|
Department of Veterans Affairs National Health Physics Program (115HP) ATTN: E. Lynn McGuire Bldg. 33, Room 102 (115HP/NLR) 2200 Fort Roots Drive North Little Rock, AR 72114 |
||
VA Contact: | E. Lynn McGuire, Program Director Phone: (501) 257-1571 Fax: (501) 257-1570 |
|
NRC Region III Contact: | Kevin Null (630) 829-9854 | |
7. | U.S. Department of Agriculture | |
U.S. Department of Agriculture OP/SHMD/RSS Mailstop 5510 ATTN: John Jensen 5601 Sunnyside Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705-1500 |
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USDA Contact: | John Jensen Phone: (301) 504-2440 Fax: (301) 504-2450 |
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NRC Region I Contact: | Keith Brown, PhD. (610) 337-5048 |
[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
[ Prev | Next | Top of file ]
DEC 08, 1993
MEMORANDUM FOR: | Ronald R. Bellamy, Chief Nuclear Materials Safety Branch, RI |
FROM: | Carl J. Paperiello, Director Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS |
SUBJECT: | DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF MINES REQUEST TO AMEND LICENSE NO. 37-01712-11 TO USE XENON-133 IN A VENTILATION TRACER STUDY AT THE EXPERIMENTAL MINE, BRUCETON RESEARCH CENTER, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AND NEED FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
This refers to your Technical Assistance Request dated August 7, 1992 (Enclosure 1), requesting guidance on whether the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, License No. 37-01712-11, amendment request to use xenon-133 in a ventilation tracer study at the Experimental Mine, Bruceton Research Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, requires NRC to perform an environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51. Based on a technical analysis and pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(v) and (xvi), an EA will not be required.
During the technical review, certain radiation safety concerns associated with the use of xenon-133 gas in a mine and by a licensee authorized to use only sealed sources, foils, and sealed gap were identified and summarized in Enclosure 2. Once the radiation safety issues and other issues identified by the Region are resolved with the licensee, the Region can amend the license to authorize the requested study.
The staff determined three categorical exclusion paragraphs for licensing and regulatory actions are applicable to the Bureau of Mines' proposed amendment request to use xenon-133 gas. The "research and development" paragraph is applicable because the license is a research and development license and the amendment is for a research study. The "medical and veterinary" paragraph is applicable in combination with the "catch all" paragraph because the form and quantity of xenon-133 use is similar to that in the medical use of xenon-133.
1. | 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(v), "Use of radioactive materials for research and development and for educational purposes." |
The proposed study is a research and development study that involves
releasing xenon-133 gas into the fresh air stream within the mine,
measuring concentrations of xenon-133 at points in the mine downstream
from the injection point, and releasing xenon-133 directly into the
environment (i.e., in air or water leaving the mine.) The purpose
of the study is to develop a xenon-133 detector and determine whether
xenon-133 can be used as a tracer in an underground coal mine to characterize
air flow patterns for later use in characterizing underground coal
fires.
The March 12, 1984, statement of consideration for the final rule amending 10 CFR Part 51 to implement Section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (49 FR 9352) provided additional guidance on this categorical exclusion. The following statements addressing research and development situations with direct releases into the environment are in the statement of consideration. "This categorical exclusion does not encompass... (b) performance of field studies in that licensed material is deliberately released into the environment for the purposes of the study..." While it initially appears the proposed study should have an environmental assessment because it is a field study (it is performed outside a laboratory in an unrestricted area that is inseparable from the environment) with all releases going directly into the environment, additional consideration must be given to the isotope used and the effect of the planned releases on the environment. The short half-life of xenon (5.24 days), the quantities released, and the chemical inertness of xenon ensure that it will have a negligible effect on the environment. The most probable route of exposure to humans, other animals, and plants is direct contact with the radioactive xenon-133 gas. The probability and consequences of any effects will diminish with time, as the xenon-133 decays. The most significant hazard to humans is the external radiation hazard from the beta particles and x-rays associated with being submersed in the xenon-133 gas cloud. In this study, the probability of direct or prolonged contact of xenon-133 with the general public, other animals and plants is insignificant because of scheduling the study for a weekend, restricting entrance to the mine, releasing multiple small quantities of xenon-133 (12 to 48 millicuries per release) instead of one large release (300 millicuries), and environmental dispersion and dilution factors. Internal hazards are not as significant because the metabolically inactive xenon-133 is rapidly removed from humans and other animals by exhaling. In medical studies xenon-133 is generally washed out of the lungs in one or two breaths regardless of whether the xenon-133 is administered as an inhaled gas or injected in saline suspension. (Xenon-133 in the 10 to 30 millicurie levels are physiologically inactive and gas entering the circulatory system is returned to the lungs and exhaled after a single pass through the peripheral circulation.) This gives a very low probability of internal exposure. Xenon-133 is not expected to either enter underground potable water supplies or remain in plants or animals because of its short radioactive half-life and its chemically inert properties. The short half-life precludes it from reaching underground potable water supplies before it decays away. It is unlikely xenon-133 will enter the plant or animal food chain, because the experiment will be performed in the winter and the xenon will have decayed away before the normal plant growing season. Therefore, this study meets the criteria of a categorical exclusion for research and development under this paragraph. |
|
2. |
10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi) many use of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material not listed above, that involves quantities and forms of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material similar to those listed in paragraphs (c)(14)(i) through (xv) of this section (Category 14)." 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(iv), "Medical and veterinary." |
The description of activities in the statements of consideration
for this exclusion includes, among other things, "laboratory use of
unsealed sources for performance of diagnostic tests or for tracer
studies for research purposes... releases to air and water... are of small quantities, or if of larger quantities, are short lived.
Effluent releases... are estimated at less than 10 percent of the
applicable limits." The licensee proposed to release up to a maximum of 300 millicuries (the total available on site) of xenon-133 in either 20 releases of 12 millicuries each or 5 releases of 48 millicuries. The releases will be made over a one to two day period with waiting periods between the releases. The waiting periods are to either insure the xenon-133 detector is reading background or position the detector at a new location. The xenon-133 is ultimately exhausted outside the mine. The total effluent releases, if averaged over a year, are significantly less than 10 percent of the 10 CFR Part 20 releases permitted to the unrestricted area. Further, xenon-133 is a short-lived radioisotope with a half-life of 5.24 days. In medical institutions, xenon-133 is used in patient diagnostic lung perfusion and brain imaging tests. During the perfusion test, patients are rebreathing xenon-133 gas administered in dosages between 6 and 30 millicuries per test. Some brain imaging studies use xenon-133 gas; others use xenon-133 suspended in saline. A number of patients can be scheduled for the xenon-133 perfusion or brain imaging tests in any day. The xenon-133 in the medical institution may be either exhausted to the outside or released into a xenon-133 trap where it is held until it decays. Therefore, the Bureau of Mines' proposed activity meets both the categorical exclusion criteria of 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(v), "use of radioactive materials for research and development," and the criteria of 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi) because the quantities and form of the xenon-133 gas are similar to the quantities and form of xenon-133 used in the medical activities categorical exclusion (i.e., 10 CFR 51.22(14)(iv)), and does not need an environmental assessment. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Donna-Beth Howe of my staff at (301) 504-2636. |
/RA/ Carl J. Paperiello, Director Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS |
Enclosures:
1. TAR fm R. Bellamy dtd 8/7/92 (NOT ENCLOSED)
2. Summary of Radiation Safety Concerns
Occupational Concerns
There are a number of reasons why the licensee needs to place special emphasis on providing specific radiation safety and emergency procedure instruction to individuals participating in the study, restricting access to the mine area during the study, insuring adequate surveys are performed before returning the mine to unrestricted use, and informing Bruceton Research Center personnel of the study. These reasons include the following: the fact that the study involves radioactive materials and situations outside the normal radiological experiences of either the Pittsburgh Research Center or the University of Kentucky, Department of Mining Engineering personnel; the unique situation of people being able to enter and exit the mine only through the radioactive material effluent release "stack"; and the fact that normally the Experimental Mine and each worker in the mine is an unrestricted area and non-radiation worker, respectively.
All personnel involved with the experiment should be provided with instructions and written procedures on both the handling of xenon-133 in normal or emergency situations and adequate area or removable contamination survey procedures, as well as the normal proper receipt, transportation, and disposal procedures. These instructions should include:
1. | Identification of the responsible individual for specific radiation protection decisions; |
2. | Procedures to handle spill situations inside and outside the mine; |
3. | Procedures to handle situations increasing the xenon-133 air concentration, or causing xenon-133 movement into areas outside the predicted study area (i.e., the surface buildings or other portions of the mine); |
4. | Personnel evacuation procedures in the event of a spill, failure of the mine ventilation system, and other adverse situations; |
5. | Guidance on the performance of area and removable contamination surveys and determination of when the mine is releasable to unrestricted use; |
6. | A policy on minimum weather condition requirements needed before starting the xenon-133 releases (i.e., conditions to insure the dispersion of the xenon outside the mine.) |
The licensee should be encouraged to use non-radioactive methods to determine probable areas of xenon-133 concentration in the mine due to dead spaces before releasing the xenon-133. This information can be used in assuring the surveys performed before releasing the mine to unrestricted use are adequate.
ENCLOSURE 2
November 23, 1993
NOTE TO: | Files |
FROM: | Donna-Beth Howe, Ph.D. Medical and Academic Section |
SUBJECT: | STAFF TECHNICAL REVIEW OF DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, BUREAU OF MINES, REQUEST TO RELEASE XENON-133 FOR VENTILATION STUDIES IN THE BUREAU OF MINES EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH MINE AT BRUCETON RESEARCH CENTER PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA |
Background
By letter dated July 17, 1992, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh Research Center (the licensee) requested an amendment to Byproduct Material License 37-01712-11 to perform a xenon-133 gas mine ventilation study at the Pittsburgh Research Center Experimental Mine, located at the Bruceton Research Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The license currently authorizes the use of byproduct material in the form of sealed sources, foils, and gas in sealed tubes for reference standards, analytical instruments, gauges, and research and development of instruments and gauges. It does not authorize the use of unsealed gases and prohibits the release of byproduct material in field studies. The proposed amendment would authorize the licensee to possess and store xenon-133 gas at the Pittsburgh Research Center (part of the Bruceton Research Center.) It would also authorize the University of Kentucky, Department of Mining Engineering personnel, in coordination with the licensee's personnel, to use xenon-133 gas for a ventilation study in the licensee's Experimental Mine.
The xenon-133 gas study is part of a research project entitled, "Assessment of the extent of fires in abandoned mine lands using non-invasive tracer techniques." The purpose of the study is to evaluate the potential effectiveness of xenon-133 gas as a tracer to determine the ventilation characteristics of underground mines for application to underground coal mine fires. In the United States alone, there are 100 underground coal mine fires. They are a serious health, safety, and environmental hazard because of toxic fumes emissions and air quality deterioration.
The three basic methods of fighting underground mine fires, i.e., excavation, making fire barriers, and surface sealing, are usually unsuccessful, because it is difficult to locate and treat all combustion areas. Underground fire is easily spread by the migration of hot gases to discontinuous and discrete fire zones; initial information and monitoring techniques are usually inadequate; and fires presumed to be extinguished can reignite within 3 to 5 years if all the burning material was not removed or cooled.
Information gained from xenon-133 gas movement measurements made at the Experimental Mine, with its well-characterized tunnels and air ventilation system, is expected to be used later in coordination with xenon-133 releases at mines with underground fires to map inaccessible air pathways supplying oxygen to the underground fire. If the tracer can be used to identify the source of incoming air, then human intervention to control the flow of oxygen feeding the fire may reduce the extent of the combustion, decrease the probability of re-ignition, and increase the effectiveness of current and future fire fighting techniques.
The University of Kentucky researchers have experience using xenon-133 gas in laboratory situations, but they do not have experience with releasing radioactive materials in field or mine situations. They have performed tests with small scale ventilation ducts and computer models. Certain parameters such as mine void, roughness of the walls, and location of the detector, that may have significant effects on the performance and detection of the tracer in an actual mine fire, cannot be replicated in the laboratory.
Xenon, a noble gas, is chemically inert, heavier than air, and may temporarily adhere to some plastics, rubber, and dust particles or get dispersed in water. Xenon-133 has a 5.24 day half-life and decays by beta emission to stable cesium-133. The primary radiation products are a beta particle with a maximum energy of 346 kiloelectron volts (99 percent per disintegration) and cesium x-rays with an energy of 81 kiloelectron volts (36 percent per disintegration.)
In this review, the term "xenon release point" will be used to refer to the initial point where the xenon-133 is released within the mine into the mine airstream, and the terms "xenon exhaust point" or "mine exhaust point" will be used to designate the final point at that xenon-133 is released from the mine into the environment. These terms should reduce the inherent confusion found when the word "release" is used in a radiological hazards review. Another point of confusion may exist because the mine layout differs significantly from most areas where radioactive gasses are used. In most cases, the area has at least one door for people to enter or exit the area, a vent to bring fresh air in, and a stack to exhaust volatilized radioactive effluents. In the Experimental Mine, the twin side-by-side entrance tunnels serve not only as the doorway into and out of the mine, but also the only stack to exhaust the radioactive effluents. Therefore, people entering the mine during the experiment, in effect, are walking into the effluent release stack.
Mine Description
The Experimental Mine is part of three interconnected coal mines located under the Bruceton Research Center. The Bruceton Research Center is a 0.96 square kilometer (238 acre) facility, in the Pittsburgh suburbs, where approximately 1,600 people work for three different Federal Agencies. The Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh Research Center owns approximately 0.72 square kilometers (178 acres) and has approximately 700 employees and contractors; the Department of Energy owns approximately 0.24 square kilometers (60 acres) and has approximately 800 employees and contractors; and the Mine Safety and Health Administration occupies one building and has approximately 100 employees.
The Experimental Mine is connected to the Safety Research Coal Mine by two tunnels and two 7.6-centimeter (3-inch) holes. The two tunnels between the coal mines can be closed off by closing the explosion-proof doors in the permanent bulkheads. The tunnels connected by the two 7.6-centimeter (3-inch) holes can be isolated from the xenon-133 gas study area by closing the doors in other bulkheads. The Safety Research Coal Mine is, in turn, connected by a 5-centimeter (2-inch) hole to the third coal mine.
Both the Experimental Mine and the Safety Research Coal Mine are active research mines. For radiological purposes, these mines are considered unrestricted areas both before and after the study and the Bureau of Mines workers in the mine at these times are not radiological occupational workers. The Experimental Mine provides a dedicated mine for the testing of coal and gas explosions and for underground fire research in a full-scale multiple-entry mine.
The Experimental Mine elevation ranges from 308 to 312 meters (1009 to 1022 feet) and the overburden ranges from 1 or 2 meters to 30 meters (few feet to 100 feet.) One office building (building 143), a series of nine side-by-side maintenance trailers (building 145), and six other smaller structures (buildings 2, 7, 12, 25, 102, and 105) are located directly over the portion of the Experimental Mine where the xenon-133 study will be performed. Another office building (building 140) is 23 meters (75 feet) above the tunnels adjacent to the xenon study area. For the most part, the workers in these structures are not radiological workers.
The normal Experimental Mine ventilation system forces outside air into the mine through a 12-meter (40-foot) shaft from the surface approximately 46 meters (150 feet) from the Experimental Mine's side-by-side walk-in entrances. The air is then pushed through the "east air course" (that includes the xenon-133 gas study area.) The xenon release point is approximately 165 meters (540 feet) from the mine entrance, and the first detector measurement location is approximately 107 meters (350 feet) from the xenon release point. From the last experimental measurement point in the east air course, the air passes through approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) of additional tunnels before it is exhausted out of the same two side-by-side walk-in mine entrances described above. These final tunnels are actually three interconnecting parallel 0.4 kilometer (0.25 mile) long tunnels. The air may pass through either two or three of these tunnels.
The average dimensions of the tunnels are 2 meters (6.5 feet) high and 3 meters (10 feet) wide. The calculated volume of the tunnel between the release point and the first detector location ranges from approximately 784,000 to 1,577,000 liters (27,700 to 55,700 cubic feet) depending on whether the air flows into connecting or parallel tunnels. The calculated volume of the tunnel between the first detection point and the last detection point is 1,104,000 liters (39,000 cubic feet.) The total volume of all the tunnels the xenon is expected to flow through is About 12,000,000 liters (412,000 cubic feet.)
The air flow at the release point is expected to be 1,400,000 liters per minute (50,000 cubic feet per minute.) One air exchange in the part of the mine exposed to xenon should occur every 8.3 minutes. The length of a xenon-133 slug is About 390 meters (1,200 feet.)
Study Description
The study is expected to extend over one weekend in the next 12 months. It is not expected to be repeated. Pressurized xenon-133 gas will be released into the fresh air stream at the xenon release point that is within the mine at the beginning of an area referred to as the "coal reserve for standard samples" ("coal reserve".) The detector will be positioned close to the floor downstream from the xenon release point and be constantly sampling the air during the measurement part of the study. Since the University of Kentucky has only one analytical xenon-133 gas detector, multiple xenon-133 gas releases are necessary to collect data at each of the five detection points and to collect data for multiple measurements at each detection point. The detector was built specifically for the xenon mine study and its performance will be an integral part of the study.
The xenon-133 analytical detector has a 8.1-liter counting chamber with a 15 milliliter per minute pump. The instrument can detect concentrations of xenon-133 as low as 3.7 becquerels per liter (0.1 nanocurie per liter.)
Three 3,700 megabecquerel (100 millicurie) xenon-133 vials will be used during the study. At the Mine, the 3,700 megabecquerels (100 millicuries) of xenon-133 will be injected into an evacuated 28.3 liter (1 cubic foot) pressure cylinder. Nitrogen gas will be added to the gas cylinder until the xenon concentration is 22.6 megabecquerels per liter (0.61 millicurie per liter) (i.e., the cylinder is pressurized to approximately 585 kilopascals (85 pounds per square inch) and contains 164 liters of gas.) If all 11,100 megabecquerels (300 millicuries) are used in the study, the pressurized tank filling procedure will be repeated two more times.
In the first trial, 444 megabecquerels (12 millicuries) will be released to confirm that the xenon-133 goes into the air stream and the detector can measure it. If the xenon-133 is detected, three other 444 megabecquerel (12 millicurie) releases will be made. A total of four xenon-133 releases and detector measurements will be made for each detector location. There will be a total of five detection points.
If the xenon-133 is not detected, the first measurement will be repeated with a 1,776 megabecquerel (48 millicurie) release. If the xenon-133 is then detected, the experiment will continue with four more 1,776 megabecquerel (48 millicurie) releases (one for each new detector location.) If the xenon-133 is still not detected, the experiment will be terminated.
The xenon release point, approximately 165 meters from the coal mine entrance, will remain stationary. The xenon-133 gas will be released through a tube terminating 183 centimeters (6 feet) downstream from the cylinder and the researchers. For the first measurement, the detector will be approximately 107 meters away and a total of 444 megabecquerels (12 millicuries) of xenon-133 will be released over a 2-minute period. The mine air flow will be adjusted so that at the xenon release point it is 1,400,000 liters per minute (50,000 cubic feet per minute.) If the xenon is evenly distributed throughout the 2-minute slug of air, the xenon-133 concentration in the slug would be 159 becquerels per liter (4.3 nanocuries per liter) and the slug will be About 390 meters long.
The calculated volume of the tunnel between the xenon release point and the first detector location ranges from approximately 784,000 liters (27,700 cubic feet) to 1,577,000 liters (55,700 cubic feet) depending on whether the air flows into the connecting or parallel tunnels in the "coal reserve." The calculated volume of the tunnel between the first detection point and the last detection point is 1,104,000 liters (39,000 cubic feet.) The total volume of all the tunnels from the xenon release point to the mine exhaust point (the mine's main entrance) is About 12,000,000 liters (412,000 cubic feet.) With an air flow of 1,400,000 liters per minute, one air exchange should occur every 8.3 minutes during the study in the part of the mine exposed to xenon.
If the air flow is 1,400,000 liters per minute, the front of the slug should move from the xenon release point to the first detector point in either 30 or 60 seconds and to the fifth detector location in either 75 or 135 seconds. The straightest air path to this point includes four 4-meter (12-foot) dead-end side corridors, two right-angle turns preceding short dead-end tunnels, and a 250 foot dead-end tunnel. These side corridors and tunnels are expected to create eddy currents and dead spaces that will affect the shape of the xenon slug and the concentration of xenon-133 in the slug. Some xenon-133 may settle out in dead air spaces. Once the xenon slug passes the fifth data collection point, there are approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) of tunnels before the xenon exhaust point is reached.
The Environment
The regional geology of the Bruceton Research Center consists of sedimentary rocks of the Pennsylvania and Permian periods. The Monongahela Group, a cyclic sequence of shale, limestone, sandstone, and coal, tops the hills at the site. The Pittsburgh Coal within this group has been extensively mined out in the area. The Conemaugh Group, a cyclic sequence of sandstone, shale, and limestone, underlies the Monongahela Group. The stream beds and river valleys are lined with quaternary alluvium. Two clay veins run over the xenon study area. (A clay vein is a geological crack in the coal formation that filled with clay and earth during the geological development of the area.)
Two surface streams, McElheny Run and Lick Run, are located at the boundaries of the Bruceton Research Center. McElheny Run flows into Lick Run that in turn converges with Peters Creek that empties into the Monongahela River About 8.8 kolometers (5.5 miles) downstream. The Experimental mine is described as a dry mine with little or no water seepage.
Most drinking water comes from surface water drawn from the Monongahela River either at Elrama (About 9.7 kilometers (6 miles) upstream from Peters Creek) or Becks Run (About 23.3 kilometers (14.5 miles) downstream of Peters Creek.) Thirteen houses within a 6.4 kilometer (4 mile) radius and two others within a 1.6 kilometer (1 mile) radius of the Bruceton Research Center receive their drinking water from ground wells.
The closest wetland is located along Lick Run near the Wallace Road-Cochran Mill intersection. This wetland has a 0.16 kilometer (0.1 mile) frontage on Lick Run and is classified as R30WZ (i.e., riverine upper perennial open water intermittently exposed/permanent.) According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, there are no endangered or threatened animals in the vicinity of the Bruceton Research Center. The mine is actively used for experiments and there are no known animals living in the Experimental Mine.
The nearest communities consist of two separate housing developments About 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) northeast and southeast of the Center, respectively. Each development has approximately 1,000 residents. The closest residences are approximately 0.2 kilometers (0.13 miles) from the property line. Only two houses within the 1.6 kilometer (1 mile) radius have drinking water wells.
Pathways to the Environment
The natural dynamics of sun, wind, and rain are factors in determining the xenon-133 movement in the environment. Xenon, a noble gas, is chemically inert, heavier than air, essentially insoluble in water, and temporarily adheres to some plastics and rubber.
In general, xenon-133 gas presents a submersion hazard, rather than an inhalation or absorption hazard. Xenon-133 gas is generally washed out of the lungs in one or two breaths regardless of whether the xenon-133 is administered as a gas or in saline suspension. (As demonstrated in diagnostic studies on humans using 10 to 30 millicuries of xenon-133, xenon-133 is physiologically inactive and gas entering the circulatory system is returned to the lungs and exhaled after a single pass through the peripheral circulation.)
Xenon-133 has a radioactive half-life of 5.24 days and decays by beta emission to stable cesium-133. The primary radiation products are a beta particle with a maximum energy of 346 kiloelectron volts and cesium x-rays with an energy of 81 kiloelectron volts.)
Within the Mine. The xenon-133 gas is expected to be pushed as a rather large slug through the mine. The Experimental Mine has a number of auxiliary tunnels and rooms with dead ends between the xenon-133 release point and the mine entrance (i.e., the xenon exhaust point.) Each one of these areas is expected to set up eddy currents that can either spread out the slug or pull xenon-133 out of the main air stream into the dead air spaces. Xenon-133 is not expected to permeate the rock or coal formations, but may move through actively venting cracks or bore holes. The existing bore holes from the surface to the mine tunnels are capped and not expected to affect the air flow. Although the air stream is expected to take the path of least resistance through the mine, it should also move air into all available spaces. Xenon-133 remaining in the main air stream is expected to exit the mine in the first air exchange (approximately 8.3 minutes.) Xenon-133 moved into the side tunnels and dead air spaces will take longer to flush out and may decay first.
The worst-case mine situation would be if the ventilation system failed after the second of two 1776 megabecquerel (48 millicurie) releases. Since the complete air exchange in the Experimental Mine (i.e., approximately every 9 minutes) is approximately equal to the time needed to set up and measure each release, it would be difficult to have more than two xenon-133 air slugs in the mine once the ventilation system failed. In this case, the researchers exiting the mine through the mine entrance (the mine exhaust tunnel) would have to walk through one or two of the xenon slugs.
The maximum instantaneous air concentration of xenon-133 in an existing slug (0.159 or 0.636 becquerels 4.3 or 17.6 picocuries per milliliter per milliliter) is generally less than the Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations Part 20 limits for occupational exposure to xenon-133 air concentrations when averaged over a year. The Part 20 limits are 0.37 and 3.7 becquerels per milliliter (10 and 100 picocuries per milliliter), before and after January 1, 1994, respectively. If the ventilation system failed during the production of a slug, the xenon-133 concentration in the partially formed slug could be much higher than the concentration in the existing slug.
The researchers will not be exposed to any slug for a prolonged period of time. Assuming each person in the mine moves through the existing slug for a total of 15 minutes while exiting the mine (a conservative estimate of the time spent in the slugs), the total dose per person would be 10 microsieverts (1 millirem) whole body or 1 microsievert (0.1 millirem) deep dose equivalent. For the partially formed slug, the xenon-133 concentration would have to increase by a factor of 5,000 or 50,000 to either 3 or 30 kilobecquerels (80 or 800 nanocuries) per milliliter for the same individual to receive 50 millisieverts (5 rem) whole body dose or deep dose equivalent, respectively, in fifteen minutes. Further, the mine could be closed until the xenon decayed or the ventilation system was able to clear the mine to preclude other xenon exposures. The doses could be reduced further if the researchers exited the mine upstream from the xenon release point before entering the last 46 to 90 meters (150 to 300 feet) of the exhaust tunnel. This dose could be reduced to zero by exiting the Experimental Mine through the Research Safety Mine, but this should not be necessary.
Outside the Mine. Xenon-133 is not expected to either enter underground potable water supplies or remain in plants or animals because of its short radioactive half-life and its chemically inert properties. The short half-life precludes it from reaching underground potable water supplies before it decays away. This also precludes it from migrating through the rock and coal to the work places located above the mine before it decays. It could be forced through open active ventilating cracks to these structures, but the path of least resistance is to remain in the much larger tunnels. Further, since the experiment will be performed in the winter, the xenon-133 will have decayed away before the normal plant growing season.
Although xenon may become mechanically suspended in water, it does not chemically react with the water molecules and is expected to outgas quickly. Xenon temporarily suspended in rain, snow, or fog may initially become part of the surface water, but would outgas in a short period of time. Xenon in contact with plant or animal life is metabolically inert and not expected to be taken up and retained in either plants or animals. Animals ingesting xenon suspended in water are expected to exhale the xenon.
If the experiments work, all of the xenon-133 released (i.e., from 240 millicuries to the entire 300 millicuries on site) is expected to be lost to the environment. It should be lost in increments of 444 or 1776 megabecquerels (12 or 48 millicuries.) In extremely stagnant outdoor air conditions, the xenon, being heavier than air, would be expected to flow downhill. Instead of dispersing, under these conditions it may collect in low lying areas or depressions. This situation can be avoided by ensuring the studies are not performed on foggy or still days. Under normal weather conditions of natural air turbulence, the xenon should rapidly disperse once it leaves the mine.
Environmental Effects and Conclusions
Pathway to Humans. Several factors, such as scheduling the xenon-133 releases on a weekend, restricting access to the mine during the releases, and the distance from the mine entrance to the boundary of the Pittsburgh Research Center, make it unlikely that the xenon-133 will come in direct contact with the general public.
The most significant hazard to humans is the external radiation hazard from the beta particles and x-rays associated with being submersed in the xenon-133 gas cloud, i.e., the most probable route of exposure is direct contact with the radioactive xenon-133 gas.
Internal hazards are not as significant because, if inhaled, the metabolically inactive xenon-133 is rapidly removed by exhaling. In medical studies, xenon-133 is generally washed out of the lungs in one or two breaths regardless of whether the xenon-133 is administered as a inhaled gas or injected in saline suspension. (As demonstrated in diagnostic studies on humans using 10 to 30 millicuries of xenon-133, xenon-133 is physiologically inactive and gas entering the circulatory system is returned to the lungs and exhaled after a single pass through the peripheral circulation.) This gives a very low probability of internal exposure. The possible ingestion route involves swallowing xenon-133 gas either temporarily trapped in particles or mechanically suspended in water. In this situation, like the injected xenon, the xenon is also expected to be exhaled rapidly. As discussed before, xenon-133 will not get into potable ground water, or the plant or animal food chain.
Effects on Plant and Animal Species. Because no known plants or animals live in the Experimental Mine, plants and animals exposed to the xenon-133 have to live at the Bruceton Research Center or in the surrounding area. Since the xenon-133 air stream is expected to be dispersed and diffused once it leaves the mine, few plants or animals are expected to come into prolonged contact with the xenon-133 beta particles or x-rays. Further, the probability and consequences of effects will diminish with time, as the xenon-133 decays.
Effects on Endangered or Threatened Species. There are no known endangered or threatened species either living or having home ranges in the vicinity of the Experimental Mine or Bruceton Research Center.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
In performing this review, the staff contacted the Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh Research Center, and the University of Kentucky, Department of Mining Engineering.
References
Kim, Ann G., and Chaiken, Robert F., "Abandoned Mined Land Fire Survey and Evaluation," Proceedings of the 12th annual NAAMLP Conference: Returning Mined Land to Beneficial Use, Breckenridge, Colorado, September 16-20, 1990.
Diamond, W. P., Irani, M. C., Aul, G.N., and Thimons E.D., Chapter 6,
"Instruments, Techniques, and Equipment," Methane Control Research: Summary
of Results, 1964-80, Bureau of Mines Bulletin 689, 1988.
Donna-Beth Howe, Ph.D. November 23, 1993 |
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NOV 16, 1993 |
|
MEMORANDUM FOR: | William L. Axelson, Director Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards, RIII |
FROM: | Carl J. Paperiello, Director Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS |
SUBJECT: | DEPARTMENT OF ARMY PROPOSAL TO STORE FOR DECAY DISCARDED PROMETHIUM-147 WEAPON SIGHTS (LICENSE NO. 12-00722-07) RESPONSE TO REGION III QUESTION ON NEED FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
This refers to a telephone conversation with John Madera, of your staff, concerning whether the Department of Army's request, to amend the license for the Fort Bragg, North Carolina site to store for decay, weapon sights containing promethium-147 (Enclosure 1), will require NRC to perform an environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51. The Army's request has been reviewed by the Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decommissioning (LLWM.) LLWM's analysis (Enclosure 2) was forwarded to you in an earlier memorandum (Enclosure 3.) Based on the technical analysis provided by LLWM and pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi), an EA will not be required. Unless there are other issues involved, Region III can amend the Army's license to authorize its request to store the sights for decay or it can decommission the Fort Bragg site (the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) Yard) for unrestricted use. Should the Army choose to decommission the ASP Yard where the sights are buried, the Army will still be responsible for all nonradioactive hazards at the Yard, such as unexploded munitions.
10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi) excludes an applicant/licensee from an environmental review on licensing and regulatory actions for "any use of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material not listed above, that involves quantities and forms of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material similar to those listed in paragraphs (c)(14)(i) through (xv) of this section (Category 14.)" The staff has found the Army's proposed amendment request to be similar to the following categorical exclusion paragraphs discussed below:
1. | 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(i), "Distribution of radioactive material and devices or products containing radioactive material to general licensees and to persons exempt from licensing." |
Already discussed in the LLWM's technical analysis (Enclosure 2), 10 CFR � � 30.14, 30.15, and 30.19 authorize a member of the general public to receive and possess devices containing Pm-147 (up to 2 Ci) in sealed sources, and products containing Pm-147 (up to concentrations of 200 pCi per gram) without further regulatory control. Once these devices and products (e.g., timepieces, lock illuminators, self luminous products, etc.) have served their useful life, the devices and products are normally disposed of as trash, by either incineration or burial in a landfill. The disposal of hundreds of timepieces annually to a large municipal landfill, in addition to disposal of other used devices and products under 10 CFR � � 30.14, 30.15, and 30.19, is similar to the Army's proposed activity to decay in storage the gunsights, containing Pm-147 microspheres, at the Ft. Bragg ASP yard, resulting in a very unlikely hypothetical annual maximum dose of .0036 millirem to an intruder into the fenced-off area. | |
2. | 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xiii), "Manufacturing or processing of source, byproduct, or special nuclear materials for distribution to other licensees, except processing of source material for extraction of rare earth and other metals." |
All NRC licensees that manufacture or process sealed sources or
devices containing Pm-147 are required under 10 CFR 30.35(g) to maintain
records that the Commission considers important to decommissioning
such as (1) � 30.35(g)(3)(ii) that states, "All areas outside of
restricted areas that require documentation under � 30.35(g)(1)"; or
(2) � 30.35(g)(3)(iv) that states, "All areas outside of restricted
areas that contain material such that, if the license expired, the
licensee would be required to either decontaminate the area to unrestricted
release levels or apply for approval for disposal under 10 CFR 20.302
or 20.2002." These and other decommissioning requirements (e.g., submittal
of a decommissioning plan) are intended to provide the staff sufficient
information to identify all potential health and safety problems before
the Commission authorizes the termination of a materials license.
Therefore, routine licensing actions, such as the decommissioning
of the site used by a manufacturer of sealed sources or devices, are
normally categorically excluded from an EA pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xiii.)
The Army's activity is similar to that of a manufacturer or processor of sealed sources or devices containing Pm-147 in that both are required to maintain records for decommissioning all areas outside of restricted areas that have been contaminated with soil containing Pm-147, exceeding NRC limits for release of area for unrestricted use. These contaminated areas could have occurred from incidents such as inadvertent leaks from restricted areas (addressed under � 30.35(g)(3)(ii)) or spills during transport of Pm-147 over unrestricted areas (addressed under � 30.35(g)(3)(iv).) |
Although the Army's proposed activity is not covered under a specific categorical exclusion paragraph in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(i)-(xv), pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi), the Army's proposed activity is similar to the activities of either 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(i) or 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xiii), and therefore qualifies for categorical exclusion.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Susan Greene of my staff at (301) 504-2686 or Joseph Wang at (301) 504-2611.
Carl J, Paperiello, Director Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS |
Enclosures:
1. Ltr fm D. Skogman to NRC dtd 10/28/92 (NOT ENCLOSED)
2. Memo fm J. Austin to J. Glenn dtd 9/8/93
3. Memo fm J. Glenn to J. Madera dtd 9/17/93
September 8, 1993
MEMORANDUM FOR: | John E. Glenn, Chief Medical, Academic, and Commercial Use Safety Branch Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS |
FROM: | John H. Austin, Chief Decommissioning and Regulatory Issues Branch Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decommissioning, NMSS |
SUBJECT: | TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST - DEPARTMENT OF ARMY PROPOSAL TO STORE FOR DECAY DISCARDED PROMETHIUM-147 WEAPON SIGHTS (LICENSE NO. 12-00722-07) |
In February 1993, you forwarded a Technical Assistance Request (TAR) to the Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decommissioning (LLWM) regarding the U.S. Army's request to store for decay discarded Promethium-147 (Pm-147) weapon sights at its Fort Bragg, North Carolina site. You asked us to review documents submitted by the licensee, and provide an environmental assessment based on our findings, including any concerns About Nuclear Regulatory Commission policy that may have been raised by the situation.
LLWM originally stated in 1991 that this would be treated as a 10 CFR � 20.302 disposal request. However, review of information from the licensee has led us to propose that the site could be released for unrestricted use (from a radiological standpoint) in accordance with appropriate decommissioning criteria.
Appendix A to this memo presents some background history of the site, and a description of the source term. Appendix B presents a radiological impacts analysis prepared by LLWM.
Since Region III will continue to hold an active license for the U.S. Army, possibly still including the Fort Bragg site, we suggest that the Region determine the proper licensing action for this decommissioning. If an Environmental Assessment is needed, the Region should use the site history and radiological impacts analysis provided herein to prepare the Environmental Assessment.
We request that Region III keep us on concurrence and distribution for correspondence pertaining to the release of this site to ensure that our database on these types of releases, that we maintain for the agency, remains current.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 504-2560 or Bill Lahs at 504-2569.
John H. Austin, Chief Decommissioning and Regulatory Issues Branch Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decommissioning, NMSS |
Enclosures: As stated
APPENDIX A: HISTORY OF SITE AND SOURCE TERM DESCRIPTION
I. Site Background and History
From 1987 to 1989, between 3,000 and 4,000 expended rocket tubes with radioactive sights were discarded in two locations at Fort Bragg. The tubes were equipped with weapon sights that originally contained 3 Ci of Pm-147 encapsulated in ceramic microspheres. The Pm-147 is licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under license BML 12-00722-7.
In one location -- the Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) Yard -- the sights were randomly dumped over an area measuring roughly 100 yards by 300 yards. The Army graded the area to consolidate the material. Attempts by the Army to recover the weapon sights in the ASP were discontinued following the discovery of live ammunition mixed with the sights in the debris. The graded earth was subsequently pushed into a single large pile within the ASP. The Army reports that the pile currently measures 35 ft. by 50 ft. by 10 ft. (17,500 cubic feet.) The ASP is now bounded by a security fence to prevent unauthorized entry due to its use as an ammunition facility.
In the second location -- the Directorate of Personnel and Community Environmental Hygiene Agency (DPCA) Recycling Yard -- the weapon sights were discarded in two trenches. In 1990, the rocket tubes were crushed, pushed into a trench, and buried in the DCPA yard. The Army stated that tubes placed in the DCPA yard were completely recovered.
II. Source Term Description
According to the licensee, all the weapon sights were manufactured in 1977 or earlier. The licensee also indicated that 1,000 intact sights and 500 damaged sights were recovered; we therefore used a conservative number of 3,000 sights remaining in the pile in the ASP. Using the Pm-147 half-life of 2.6 years, it can be calculated that the current total activity in the disposal area is no more than 150 mCi. The calculated average concentration of Pm-147 in the affected soil is About 200 pCi/g. Pm-147 is effectively a pure beta emitter (0.23 MeV max.) that decays to Sm-147, an alpha emitter with a half-life of 1 E+11 years. As a result, the total activity of Sm-147 will not exceed About 230 pCi [9 Ci x (2.6/1 x 1011) = 230 pCi]. If this material were dispersed over 17,500 ft2, the resulting concentration would be insignificant.
APPENDIX B: RADIOLOGICAL IMPACTS ANALYSIS
Because of both the physical and chemical characteristics of the sights containing the Pm-147 (ceramic microspheres) and the magnitude and half-life of the total radioactivity at the site, the potential pathways for radiological exposure to members of the general public are limited. The leach rate of Pm-147 from the ceramic microspheres has been shown to be very small. Thus, when coupled with the small inventory of Pm-147 and its 2.6 year half-life, exposures through water dependent pathways are not considered credible.
For the same reasons, together with the unavailability of the land for near-term agricultural use (due to the unexploded ordnance in the Ammunition Supply Point yard), exposures through the plant/meat/milk pathways are also not considered credible. The limited inventory and areal extent of the Pm-147 contamination preclude any significant direct exposure from the beta activity, and these factors and the microspheric physical form preclude resuspension-inhalation from being considered a credible pathway. As a result, the only pathway considered credible for this radiological impact analysis is secondary ingestion; that is, direct ingestion of soil containing the sights.
Quantitative data for secondary ingestion rates range from 10 mg to 500 mg per day. Using 200 pCi/g as the average concentration of Pm-147 over the contaminated area, an individual could theoretically ingest 3.65 E-2 Ci annually. 10 CFR Part 20 Appendix B to � � 20.1001-20.2402 provides annual limits on intake (ALIs) by a reference man for given radionuclides. The value for Pm-147 is 5E+3 Ci (stochastic.) Since this value would result in a committed effective dose equivalent of 5 rems, the hypothetical dose from ingestion of 3.65 E-2 Ci annually can be calculated to be 3.6 E-2 mrem.
In the Order Establishing Criteria and Schedule for Decommissioning the Bloomsburg Site (57 FR 6136, February 20, 1992), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff provided maximum soil concentration values for release of property whose soil shows evidence of radioactive contamination. Although Pm-147 was not among the radionuclides for that soil concentrations were provided, the Order did include a value for strontium-90 of 5 pCi/g. The decay of Sr-90 and its daughter Yttrium-90 involve beta emissions with maximum energies of 0.55 and 2.27 MeV, respectively. The energy of these betas can be compared with the 0.23 MeV maximum energy of the beta emission from Pm-147. This energy difference, along with other considerations, results in the ALI for Sr-90 being 40 Ci (stochastic.) Without considering the limited extent of the theoretical exposure pathways for Pm-147 discussed above, a comparable soil release criterion for Pm-147, based on the ratio of ALIs, would be About 625 pCi/g.
Enclosure 2
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OCT 20, 1993
MEMORANDUM FOR: | Charles W. Hehl, Director Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards, RI |
FROM: | Carl J. Paperiello, Director Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS |
SUBJECT: | SENECA ARMY DEPOT - TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST ON REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO DECONTAMINATE EQUIPMENT (CONTROL NUMBER 116420) |
This is in response to a memorandum from Dr. Ronald Bellamy, of your staff, to Dr. John Glenn, dated June 11, 1993 (Enclosure 1), on whether the NRC should require the Department of the Army, Seneca Army Depot, to submit additional information, as part of its license renewal application, for the NRC to perform an environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51. In its license renewal application dated November 2, 1992, Seneca Army Depot requested authorization to receive, store, and decontaminate machinery and equipment contaminated with depleted uranium. Based on the information provided by Seneca in the license renewal application and its response, dated September 2, 1993, to Region I's request for additional information (Enclosure 2), an EA will not be required if Seneca limits the interim storage period of other Agencies' (i.e., the Department of Energy's (DOE's) and the U.S. Air Force's) contaminated machinery and equipment at Seneca to less than 180 days.
[Editor's note: Is first sentence correct? There doesn't seem to be a verb.]
10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi) excludes an applicant/licensee from an environmental review on licensing and regulatory actions if "any use of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material not listed above that involves quantities and forms of source, byproduct, or special nuclear material similar to those listed in paragraphs (c)(14)(i) through (xv) of this section (Category 14.)" Seneca's new proposed activity (i.e., decontamination of contaminated machinery and equipment), as described in its license renewal application, consists of three different uses of licensed material. These are: (1) receipt and possession of licensed material; (2) use, processing, and packaging of licensed material; and (3) shipping and disposal of licensed material. Each "use" has been evaluated by the staff against the appropriate categorical exclusion paragraph and found to be similar to the following categorical exclusion paragraphs discussed below:
1. | "Receipt and possession of licensed material" is similar to
10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(x), "Possession of radioactive material incident
to performing services such as installation, maintenance, leak tests
and calibration." |
|
Since Seneca plans to decontaminate the DOE's and the Air Force's
machinery and equipment contaminated with depleted uranium, as well
as that of the Army's, a licensing action that authorizes Seneca
to conduct this specific activity is similar to that of a service
licensee, because Seneca will be receiving, possessing, and performing
"maintenance" of the DOE's and the Air Force's contaminated machinery
and equipment. |
||
2. | "Use, processing, and packaging of licensed material" is similar
to 10 CFR 51.22(c)(xiii), "Manufacturing or processing of source,
byproduct, or special nuclear materials for distribution to other
licensees, except processing of source material for extraction of
rare earth and other metals." |
|
After receipt of the DOE's and the Air Force's contaminated machinery
and equipment, unlike most service licensees, Seneca's maintenance
activity could result in the generation of up to 10,000 kilograms
of depleted uranium contamination. The contamination generated from
Seneca's maintenance operation (i.e., decontamination) is depleted
uranium. Seneca's proposed activity is similar to that of a manufacturer
of depleted uranium penetrators or shielding because these manufacturers
generate a large amount of depleted uranium-contaminated waste in
the processing of source (i.e., depleted uranium) materials. Both
Seneca and the source material manufacturer will also package the
depleted uranium contaminated waste for disposal at a licensed land
burial facility. |
||
3. | "Shipping and disposal of the licensed material" is similar to
10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xii), "acceptance of packaged radioactive wastes
from others for transfer to licensed land burial facilities provided
the interim storage period for any package does not exceed 180 days
and the total possession limit for all packages held in interim storage
at the same time does not exceed 50 curies." |
|
Unlike a source material manufacturer, Seneca will also ship not
only its own waste, but also packaged radioactive wastes originating
from another specific licensee (i.e., the DOE or the Air Force) to
licensed land burial facilities. This proposed activity is similar
to that of a waste broker because the waste broker is authorized to
transfer other licensees' wastes to licensed land burial facilities.
However, Seneca needs to be consistent with all restrictions (i.e., interim storage does not exceed 180 days and the total possession limit for all packages held in interim storage at the same time does not exceed 50 curies) placed on waste brokers under this categorical exclusion. Seneca has already committed to limit the contaminated machinery and equipment (including the Army's) to less than 10,000 kilograms of depleted uranium, or a total activity of 3.36 curies (Enclosure 2.) Therefore, Seneca needs to commit to an interim storage period, for the DOE's and the Air Force's contaminated depleted uranium, of less than 180 days in order to qualify under this categorical exclusion. The need for this commitment is consistent with the staff's earlier response to ALARON's request to amend its waste broker license to store, repair, and maintain licensed material in contaminated equipment (Enclosure 3.) Unlike waste brokers, Seneca is not commercially receiving, storing, and shipping radioactive wastes to licensed land burial facilities. |
Although Seneca's proposed activity is not covered under a specific categorical exclusion paragraph in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(i)-(xv), pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14)(xvi), Seneca's proposed activity is similar to the activities of 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14), paragraphs (x), (xii), and (xiii) when taken together, and therefore qualifies for a categorical exclusion.
The contact person on my staff for this TAR is Joseph Wang, who can be reached at (301) 504-2611.
Carl J. Paperiello, Director Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS |
Enclosures:
1. Memo fm R. Bellamy to J. Glenn dtd 6/11/93 [NOT ENCLOSED]
2. Ltr fm R. Johnson to J. Kinneman dtd 9/2/93 [NOT ENCLOSED]
3. Memo fm J. Glenn to R. Bellamy dtd 7/30/93 [NOT ENCLOSED]
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SUMMARY OF SAMPLE DENIAL LETTERS
DENIAL |
TYPE OF APPLICATION | REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION | DATE OF DENIAL | DENIAL PURSUANT TO | REASON FOR DENIAL (PERTINENT REGULATION) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
J.1 | New | Radiography | 9/88 | 10 CFR 2.103 | Inadequate training and experience (10 CFR 30.33 (a)(3)); inaccurate information (10 CFR 30.9) |
J.2 | Amendment | Relief from 10 CFR 35.60(b) re: labeling syringes and syringe shields | 4/88 | 10 CFR 2.103 | Does not protect public health and safety; may lead to misadministrations; does not fulfill intent of regulation |
J.3 | Amendment | Relief from 10 CFR 20.205(b) re: monitoring external surfaces of incoming packages | 11/84 | 10 CFR 20.501 | Does not protect public health and safety; does not fulfill intent of regulation |
J.4 | New | License pursuant to 10 CFR 32.51 to distribute device to persons generally licensed pursuant to 10 CFR 31.5 | 7/85 | 10 CFR 2.103 | a. Device not covered by 10 CFR 31.5 b. Training in radiation safety required (10 CFR 32.51(a)(2)(i)) c. Loss of source and doses exceeding limits possible (10 CFR 32.51(a)(2)(ii)) |
J.5 | New | License pursuant to 10 CFR 32.11 to distribute irradiated gemstones to persons exempt from licensing | 6/89 | 10 CFR 2.108 | Failure to provide adequate information |
J.6 | New | Well logging | 5/86 | 10 CFR 2.103 | Possession of licensed material without valid license (10 CFR 30.3); lack of candor with staff in violation, and careless disregard of regulations |
J.7 | Amendment | Extension of interval for service and inspection of teletherapy unit from 5 years to 7 years | 10/78 | 10 CFR 2.103 | Equipment inadequate (10 CFR 30.33(a)(2)) if not inspected and serviced at intervals not to exceed 5 years |
J.8 | Amendment | Use of Sr-90 plaque to treat skin cancer | 7/86 | 10 CFR 2.103 | a. Medical treatment not authorized by 10 CFR 35 b. Equipment inadequate (10 CFR 30.33(a)(2)) in that treatment not shown to be safe and effective; reviewed by ACMUI in accordance with Medical Policy Statement (44 FR 8242) |
J.9 | New | Radiography | 5/88 | 10 CFR 2.103 | Inadequate training and experience (10 CFR 30.33(a)(3)), as demonstrated by poor past performance as Agreement State licensee |
J.10 | Amendment | Addition of therapist | 9/80 | 10 CFR 2.103 | Therapist not a physician as defined in 10 CFR 35.3(b) |
J.11 | New | Well logging | 1/89 | 10 CFR 2.103 | Inadequate training and experience (10 CFR 30.33(a)(3)), as demonstrated by possession of licensed material without valid license (10 CFR 30.3); lack of candor (that occurred before effective date of 10 CFR 30.9) |
J.12 | New | License pursuant to 10 CFR 32.51 to distribute device to persons generally licensed pursuant to 10 CFR 31.5 | 7/00 | 10 CFR 2.103 | Accident doses exceed criteria in 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2.) |
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SEP 06, 1988
Licensee A
ATTN: Mr. John Doe
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Gentlemen:
This is in reference to your application dated March 3, 1988, requesting a byproduct material license for the use of sealed sources and devices for use in industrial radiography.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, your request is hereby denied for reasons set forth below.
1. | You are not considered qualified by training and experience to use the material for the purpose requested. To receive such a license, you must be qualified pursuant to 10 CFR 30.33(a)(3.) |
This conclusion was reached after review of the documentation submitted with your application and subsequent March 23, 1988 letter. We determined that you were not approved as a radiographer as inferred in the information supplied. This determination was made as a result of correspondence dated June 16, 1988 received from Company X, that indicated that you had not worked in its employment as a radiographer. Furthermore, June 16, 1988 correspondence received from Company Y indicates that you did not attend "The Radiography Course" as represented in your certificate dated November 15, 1980. | |
2. | You have not provided the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with complete and accurate information as required by 10 CFR 30.9. |
NRC relies upon the applicant to submit accurate and true information to demonstrate the applicant's qualifications to ensure that possession and use of radioactive material will be conducted in a manner that protects health and minimizes danger to life or property. Since the sponsor of the training course and your previous employer have been unable to confirm your training qualification statements, we conclude that you have misrepresented information, possibly falsified documentation, and cannot be relied upon to safely conduct a radiography program under an NRC license. |
As provided in Section 2.103 of 10 CFR Part 2, you have the right to request a hearing concerning this denial. If you wish to request a hearing, it must be submitted within 20 days from the date of this letter to the Secretary of the Commission, ATTN: Chief, Docketing and Service Branch, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, with a copy to the Assistant General Counsel for Hearings, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555. The request should reference this letter and Docket Number 030-00000.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME] |
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Control No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Enclosure: 10 CFR Part 2
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APR 22, 1988
License No. 12-34567-89
Docket No. 030-00000
Control No. 123456
Licensee B
ATTN: John Doe
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Gentlemen:
This letter is in response to the request made in your letter dated June 12, 1987, to amend your license to be exempted from requirements of 10 CFR 35.60(b) for conspicuously labeling each syringe or syringe radiation shield. Specifically, you assert that preparation of a unique label for each syringe would be unproductive, time-consuming, and result in small additional radiation exposure to the individual doing the labeling.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, this letter constitutes denial of your request to be exempted from the requirements of 10 CFR 35.60(b) for the reasons stated below.
10 CFR 35.19 states in part that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) may grant exemptions from the regulations in this part as it determines to be in the public interest.
NRC has found that the labeling of a syringe that contains a radiopharmaceutical, or a syringe radiation shield that contains such a syringe, as to radiopharmaceutical name or its abbreviation, the clinical procedure to be performed, or the patient's name are effective ways to assure that the prescribed radiopharmaceutical is delivered to the correct patient. Comments similar to yours were addressed in the Statements of Consideration before adoption of this requirement. At that time, the staff noted: "... some misadministrations have been caused by accidentally transposing syringes after drawing two dosages. Therefore, the benefits from avoiding misadministrations outweigh the costs to the licensee." (51 FR 36932, p. 36944, October 16, 1986.) Further, other licensees have developed procedures for efficiently labeling syringes, or syringe shields, without increasing personnel exposure. Therefore, your assertion that such labeling is unproductive does not justify an exemption from the regulation as being in the public interest.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, you may request a hearing with respect to this denial within 20 days of the date of this letter. If you wish to request a hearing, submit a request to the Director, Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards, USNRC Region I, 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406. The request should reference this letter and Docket No. 030-00000.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME] |
License No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Control No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Enclosure: 10 CFR Part 2
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NOVEMBER 28, 1984
Licensee C
ATTN: John Doe, Ph.D.
Radiation Safety Officer
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Dear Dr. Doe:
This is in reference to your letter dated August 22, 1984, requesting an exemption from the requirements in 10 CFR 20.205(b) to monitor the external surfaces of certain packages containing radioactive material for contamination upon receipt of the packages.
In accordance with 10 CFR 20.501, your request to amend License No. 12-34567-89 is hereby denied for the reasons set forth below.
The provisions of 10 CFR 20.205(b) are needed to aid in protecting health and minimizing danger to life and property by promptly identifying packages with excessive contamination of external surfaces, either because of an accident or, in the absence of an accident, because of improper assembly or closure of the package. The monitoring and reporting requirements of this paragraph are important in preventing excessive spread of contamination as has occurred in past incidents; alerting you, the recipient of the package, to potential contamination problems when opening the package in your facility; advising the carrier of possible contamination of its vehicle and facilities and allowing the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to alert the Department of Transportation to a possible contamination incident; and permitting NRC to determine the cause of the leakage and to take necessary corrective action.
In your request, you stated that out of 1965 orders of radioactive material received by Licensee C during a one-month period, approximately 1.5 percent, or 30 of them, required external monitoring for contamination. This information, with your other submitted data, does not provide substantive justification, from a health and safety standpoint, for an exemption from the requirements, and therefore your request is denied.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME], Director |
License No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Control No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Enclosure: 10 CFR Part 20
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JUL 29, 1985
Licensee D
ATTN: Mr. John Doe
Executive Vice President
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Gentlemen:
This letter refers to your application dated March 14, 1985, requesting a license to distribute devices and source heads to persons generally licensed pursuant to Section 31.5 of 10 CFR Part 31 of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or equivalent Agreement State regulations. Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.103, your application is hereby denied for the following reasons:
A. | 10 CFR 31.5(a) covers only generally licensed devices designed for the purpose of detecting, measuring, gauging, or controlling thickness, density, level, interface location, radiation, leakage, or qualitative or quantitative chemical composition, or for producing light or an ionized atmosphere. The purpose the your device is to produce images of objects placed in a radiation field, for observation by the user; that is, the device is a radiographic device. Although in some cases the device may be used for some of the purposes listed in 10 CFR 31.5(a), its potential uses are not limited exclusively to those purposes, and 10 CFR 31.5 was not intended to cover radiographic devices. Therefore, the device does not meet the requirements of 10 CFR 31.5(a.) |
B. | 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2) requires that an applicant provide reasonable assurance that a proposed device can be safely operated by persons not having training in radiological protection. The application states that users will take the manufacturer's training course, that includes training in radiological protection and training on NRC regulations related to radiological protection. The device is normally a portable, hand-held device, although in some cases it can be installed in a fixed location. In either case, the user must work in close proximity to the device in order to observe images and hold objects in the radiation beam. The device contains iodine-125 in radioactive sources up to 500 millicuries in size. The radiation levels from the source vary with distance, but can be as high as 4.5 rems per minute near the source; therefore, it is important that the user not place any part of his body in the radiation beam either inadvertently or deliberately (to observe an image of his hand.) The requirement that the user work in close proximity to the device at all times, while avoiding exposure to the radiation source, dictates that the user have training in radiological protection to appreciate potential hazards and safety requirements; therefore, the device does not meet the requirements specified in 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2)(i.) |
C. | 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2)(ii) also requires that the applicant provide reasonable assurance that, under ordinary conditions of handling, storage, and use of the device, the radioactive material will not be released or inadvertently removed from the device, and that it is unlikely that any person will receive radiation doses above specified levels. The device is portable and designed for exchange of source heads containing radioactive material by the user; therefore, it is reasonable to assume that a person untrained in radiological protection could remove and lose or misplace a source head. Furthermore, it is reasonable to postulate that a person untrained in radiological protection could inadvertently or deliberately place his hand in the radiation beam and receive a radiation dose in excess of the specified levels; therefore, the device does not meet the requirements of 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2)(ii.) |
As provided in 10 CFR 2.103, you have the right to request a hearing concerning this denial. If you wish to request a hearing, it must be submitted within 20 days from the date of this letter to the Secretary of the Commission, ATTN: Chief, Docketing and Service Branch, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, with a copy to the Executive Legal Director, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555. The request should reference this letter and Docket Number 030-00000.
We note that your letters to Congressman John B. Smith dated February 27, 1985, and June 10, 1985, discuss medical use of the device by general licensees. 10 CFR 35.2 prohibits human use of radioactive material except pursuant to a specific or general license issued pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 35, 30, 32, or 33. There is no general license in our regulations that covers medical use of devices such as your device; therefore, use of the device for medical use by general licensees is prohibited, and we cannot issue a license to you under current regulations that would authorize such use by general licensees.
Your correspondence with Congressman Smith also discusses the possibility of amending our regulations or granting exemptions from our regulations. It is correct that we have amended our regulations to allow use of your device by group medical licensees, and in some cases we have granted individual exemptions to podiatrists and dentists because they did not meet the definition of a physician as specified in 10 CFR 35.3(b.) In these cases, the users are specifically licensed and receive training in radiological protection.
We believe that our regulations are sound and that it is in the interest of public health and safety to require that users of your device be specifically licensed and trained in radiological protection. There are currently approximately 20,000 NRC and Agreement State licenses issued for industrial and medical use, and NRC alone processes About 6,000 licensing actions per year. There is an established procedure for issuing specific licenses. We believe that regulating your device under specific licenses assures protection of public health and safety and does not place an undue burden on users; however, if you wish to formally request any amendments to NRC regulations, 10 CFR 2.802 provides the requirements for submission of a petition for rulemaking to NRC. Please note that we are in the process of publishing a proposed rulemaking for a major revision to 10 CFR Part 35 in the Federal Register within the next few weeks, and you may wish to make any submissions in light of that rulemaking.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME] |
License No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Control No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Enclosure: 10 CFR Parts 2, 31, 32, and 35
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JUN 07, 1989
Licensee E
ATTN: Mr. John Doe
President
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Gentlemen:
This is in reference to your May 31, 1986, application for a license to be issued pursuant to 10 CFR 32.11 to authorize distribution of irradiated "mineral crystals" to persons exempt from licensing. Your application was one of several similar applications that were precedent setting and necessitated consultation with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC.)
Following NRC's decision on the matter, the staff prepared guidance (Enclosures 1 and 2) on the preparation of applications such as yours. Enclosures 1 and 2 outline the information needed to satisfy the general and specific requirements of 10 CFR 30.33(a) and 32.11, Parts 30 and 32, respectively (Enclosure 3.)
The staff forwarded Enclosures 1 and 2 to you by letter dated March 3, 1988, outlined some specific areas that you did not address in your original application, and asked that you submit the information requested in the enclosures. Your April 15, 1988, reply was reviewed in combination with your original application. By letter dated October 31, 1988, the staff notified you that the information you had submitted was inadequate and incomplete and did not permit the staff to make the findings required by 10 CFR 30.33(a.) The letter also informed you that the staff anticipated denying your request for a license, but would postpone such a decision for 45 days (i.e., until December 15, 1988), to allow you another opportunity to submit full and complete responses to NRC's requests for information. Again the staff brought to your attention specific areas of your application that were lacking in detail.
By letter dated December 15, 1988, you requested a 30-day extension for reply to NRC's October 31, 1988, letter. On December 22, 1988, the staff notified you that it had granted your request and expected to receive your reply by January 18, 1989. The staff has reviewed your January 20, 1989, reply and found that you still have not provided all of the information requested in the guidance documents that accompanied NRC's March 3, 1988, letter.
The staff finds that, despite its repeated requests, you have failed to provide a detailed description of how you will receive gemstones; monitor them to identify and remove "rogue" or "hot" stones; identify and quantify all radionuclides (not only beta-gamma emitters, but also pure beta-emitters); weigh each stone; determine the concentration of each identified radionuclide in units of microcuries per gram; and, using the "sum of the ratios method," determine that stones may be released in accordance with the criteria in 10 CFR 30.70 and when they may be released. You have also failed to provide full and complete information on the quality assurance (QA) program you will implement to ensure that your counting equipment is calibrated properly and continues to function within defined limits; your equipment and procedures are capable of detecting concentrations at or below those specified in 10 CFR 30.70; and your personnel follow step-by-step operating procedures (that have been approved by NRC) on a day-to-day basis.
In your initial application and subsequent correspondence, you have asserted repeatedly that your personnel have adequate training and experience; you have adequate facilities and equipment; and your procedures are adequate to provide reasonable assurance that the requirements of 10 CFR 32.11 will be met; however, you have not provided sufficient information to support your assertions. Also, in some responses, you have indicated that the information requested by the staff is "proprietary and irrelevant"; indicated that the "details such as counting sizes and efficiencies and maximum and minimum sample sizes" as well as lower limit of detection of your counting systems will be "worked out later"; and simply referred the staff to previously submitted information that the staff had identified to you as being inadequate and incomplete. Responses such as those outlined above do not provide the staff with the type of detailed information needed to make the findings required by 10 CFR 30.33(a.)
Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.108, your application for a new license is hereby denied for failure to provide that information requested and required by the staff to make the findings required by 10 CFR 30.33(a.) This denial will not adversely affect NRC's consideration of any application you may file in the future.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, you may request a hearing with respect to this denial within 20 days of the date of this letter. A request for a hearing shall be submitted to both the Executive Director for Operations and the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555. Also, please mail copies of any hearing request to the Director, Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, and the Assistant General Counsel for Hearings and Enforcement, Office of the General Counsel, at the address given above. If a hearing is requested, NRC will issue an order designating the time and place.
The issue to be considered at such a hearing is whether your application for a license pursuant to 10 CFR Part 32 was properly denied.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME], Director |
License No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Control No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Enclosures:
1. Information Needed from a Reactor...
2. Information Needed from an Importer...
3. 10 CFR Parts 30 and 32
4. 10 CFR Part 2, Subpart L
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MAY 13, 1986
Licensee F
ATTN: John Doe
Supervisor
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Dear Mr. Doe:
This letter refers to your application dated January 21, 1986, requesting a license to use radioactive materials for well logging and tracer studies in oil and gas wells. On March 11, 1986, we sent you a letter requesting additional information concerning your application. Your response to this letter was received by us on March 25, 1986. Subsequent to these letters, however, we learned that you obtained and used an americium-241 well logging source before obtaining the required U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license.
In an interview with an NRC inspector on April 23, 1986, you denied possessing any radioactive material; however, you stated that you purchased a well logging truck and a gamma logging tool (non-radioactive) from Company X, a State of Kansas licensee. Region III contacted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and was advised that the Company X license had expired and that the Department was initiating an investigation to determine how Company X disposed of or transferred their 3 curie americium-241 well logging source. When you were confronted by the NRC inspector with this additional information on April 28, 1986, you admitted you were in possession of the 3 curie americium-241 well logging source and then agreed, at Region III's request, to voluntarily surrender the source to the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety (IDNS.)
Your possession and use of the well logging source before receipt of an NRC license is in violation of and indicates careless disregard for NRC regulations. Accordingly, your application is hereby denied pursuant to 10 CFR 2.103 (enclosed.) As provided in 10 CFR 2.103, you have the right to request a hearing concerning this denial. If you wish to request a hearing, it must be submitted within 20 days from the date of this letter to the Secretary of the Commission, ATTN: Chief, Docketing and Service Branch, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, with a copy to the Executive Legal Director, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, .C 20555. The request should reference this letter and Docket Number 030-00000.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME] |
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Control No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Enclosure: 10 CFR Part 2
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OCT 23, 1978
Licensee G
ATTN: Dr. John Doe
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Dear Dr. Doe:
This is in reference to your letters dated February 28, 1978, and August 4, 1978, and our letter dated May 25, 1978, regarding your request to extend the time interval for inspection and servicing of your teletherapy unit from the normal 5 years to 7 years.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, your request to amend License No. 12-34567-89 is hereby denied for the reasons set forth below.
The staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has determined that the criterion in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) report N449-1974, Guidelines for Maintaining Cobalt-60 and Cesium-137 Teletherapy Equipment" needs to be followed to reduce the incidence of teletherapy machine malfunctions and personnel overexposure to radiation by requiring inspection, servicing, and repair or replacement of components of the source exposure mechanism that are worn or damaged. The experts who prepared the ANSI report recommended inspection and servicing of teletherapy unit after an interval not longer than 5 years.
The staff has further determined (see Enclosure 4) that teletherapy units must be inspected and serviced at time of source change or every 5 years, thatever comes first, in order to meet the requirement of 10 CFR 30.33(a)(2), that a licensee's facilities and equipment be adequate to protect health and minimize danger to life and property. You have not provided substantive justification from a health and safety standpoint for exceeding the 5-year interval, and therefore, your request is denied.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, you may request a hearing with respect to this denial within 20 days of the date of this letter.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME], Director |
License No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Control No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Enclosures:
1. Ltrs dated 2/28/78 and 8/4/78 from Dr. Doe
2. NRC ltr dated 5/25/78
3. 10 CFR Parts 2, 30
4. AEC ltr dated 11/15/72 to all teletherapy licensees
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JUL 25, 1986
Licensee H
ATTN: John Doe, M.D.
President
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Gentlemen:
This letter is in response to your application dated March 6, 1984, and subsequent letters on the same subject, to amend License No. 12-34567-89 to authorize use of strontium-90 plaque applicators for the treatment of malignant skin lesions.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, this letter constitutes denial of your application to amend License No. 12-34567-89. The reasons for this denial are set forth below.
10 CFR 35.14(a) states that certain medical uses specified in 10 CFR Part 35 will be approved under certain conditions. Your proposed use of strontium-90 plaque applicators for the treatment of malignant skin lesions is not specified in Part 35.
10 CFR 30.33(a) states, in part,"An application for specific license will be approved if: ... (2) The applicant's proposed equipment and facilities are adequate to protect health and minimize danger to life or property ..." The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regards the applicator you propose to use as "equipment" within the meaning of this regulation.
In passing on whether or not a proposed use should be approved, the NRC's Statement of General Policy on the Regulation of the Medical Uses of Radioisotopes (44 FR 8242) specifies, in part:
NRC will regulate the radiation safety of patients where justified by the risk of patients and where voluntary standards, or compliance with these standards, are inadequate.
. . . .
NRC will continue to restrict physician's uses of these medical devices, both for diagnosis and therapy, to those procedures that NRC has determined (in consultation with its Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes) to be safe and effective.
In accordance with the policy statement, we twice referred your proposal to the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) for review. Based on the comments of the members of the ACMUI, and on the references to the literature you provided, the staff has determined that you have not established a basis for approval of your request. Specifically, the proposed treatment has not been demonstrated to be safe and effective.
Further, adequate voluntary standards for selection, treatment, and follow-up of patients do not exist. The staff believes that it is inappropriate for original research with isotopes on humans to be conducted in a private practice. This type of research should be conducted at an institution that has been issued a license of Broad Scope authorizing medical research and has established a committee to review, approve, and oversee protocols for proposed research on humans.
If you continue to strongly believe that this treatment modality deserves a clinical trial, you should consider becoming affiliated with an institution that is licensed by NRC to conduct original research with strontium-90 on humans. Should you receive approval as an authorized user at such an institution, you could pursue the mode of radiotherapy you requested, in accordance with its approved protocol.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, you may request a hearing with respect to this denial within 20 days of the date of this letter. If you wish to request a hearing, submit a request to the Director, Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards, USNRC Region I, 631 Park Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406. The request should reference this letter and Docket No. 030-00000.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME] |
License No.: 12-34567-89
Docket No.: 030-00000
Control No.: 123456
Enclosure: 10 CFR Part 2
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MAY 24, 1988
Applicant I
ATTN: Mr. John Doe
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Gentlemen:
This letter notifies you of denial of your application dated January 20, 1988, requesting a byproduct material license for use of sealed sources and devices for use in industrial radiography. As a result of a preliminary review of your application in February 1988, and various discussions on the telephone with Mr. John Smith of my staff, you submitted a letter dated March 1, 1988, amending your application. Mr. Smith also performed a prelicensing visit at your facility in Anytown, Anystate, on March 3, 1988, and provided at that time a letter from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) dated March 3, 1988, identifying items for that additional information was needed. You subsequently provided a response to this letter dated March 16, 1988.
During our review we also obtained enforcement history information from the Colorado Department of Health (CDH), that licensed radiographic operations for Company X, for that you were an employee and the sole owner. This information indicates that CDH experienced difficulty in locating your operations during 1982, and when your operations were located and inspected, 20 violations of CDH requirements were identified. Repeated attempts failed to relocate Company X after the inspection and to serve a Notice of Violation and secure a response. A hearing was held by CDH on March 31, 1983, during that the license issued to Company X was revoked. The specific details of these events are detailed in Enclosure 1.
As a result of our review of the CDH findings, we conclude that Applicant I has not met a general requirement for issuance of a specific license as described in Section 30.33(a)(3) of 10 CFR Part 30. This regulation states:
"An application for a specific license will be approved if the applicant is qualified by training and experience to use the material for the purpose requested in such manner as to protect health and minimize danger to life or property."
The enforcement history of Company X indicates an absence of the kind of training and experience that would lead this agency to conclude that the material would be used in such a manner as to protect health and minimize danger to life or property. Accordingly, your application is hereby denied pursuant to Section 2.103 of 10 CFR Part 2 (enclosed.) As provided in Section 2.103 of 10 CFR Part 2, you have the right to request a hearing concerning this denial.
If you wish to request a hearing, it must be submitted within 20 days from the date of this letter to the Secretary of the Commission, ATTN: Chief, Docketing and Service Branch, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, with a copy to the Assistant General Counsel for Hearings, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555. The request should reference this letter and Docket Number 030-00000.
In the event a hearing is held, the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether the facts About the prior enforcement history of Company X are a reasonable and adequate basis for denial of the license application filed by Applicant I.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME] |
Docket No.: 030-00000
Control No.: 12345
Enclosures:
1. Inspection and Enforcement History - Colorado Department of Health
2. 10 CFR Part 2
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SEP 19, 1980
Licensee J
ATTN: Mr. John Doe
Administrator
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Gentlemen:
This is in reference to your May 23, 1980 request to add Dr. John Smith as an authorized user on your teletherapy license (No. 12-34567-89.)
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, your request to amend License No. 12-34567-89 is hereby denied for the reasons set forth below.
Dr. John Smith holds a document called a "limited license" issued by Indiana's Medical Licensing Board, that authorizes him to practice only radiologic oncology and only at Terre Haute Regional Hospital. He does not hold a "controlled substance" license. Under this so-called "limited license," Dr. Smith is not allowed to dispense drugs, as a general matter, in the practice of medicine, but is limited to the practice of his specialty at a specific hospital.
License No. 12-34567-89, that authorizes possession and use of a cobalt-60 sealed source for treatment of humans, was issued pursuant to 10 CFR 35.13. In part, this section requires that, "if the application is made by an institution, the individual user (1) has specialized training in therapeutic use of the radioactive device considered ... and (2) is a physician." The term "physician" is defined in 10 CFR 35.3(b) as "an individual licensed by a State to dispense drugs in the practice of medicine."
Dr. Smith does not fully meet U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) definition of a "physician" for two reasons. First, Dr. Smith is not a licensee of the State of Indiana. He holds a so-called "limited license." The Indiana Medical Practice Act (enclosed) does not define the meaning of the term "limited license" and, in fact, defines a "licensee" as a person who holds an "unlimited license." Section 1(g) of Chapter 1 of Article 22.5 of the Indiana Medical Practice Act defines "physician" as "any person who holds the degree of doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy, or its equivalent and who holds a valid unlimited license [emphasis added] to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in the State of Indiana." Section 1(e) of that chapter defines a "licensee" as any individual holding a valid unlimited license [emphasis added] issued by the Board (Medical Licensing Board of Indiana) under this article."
Second, Dr. Smith is not licensed by Indiana to prescribe drugs for other medical care for radiation therapy patients. Dr. Smith would not be able to provide the full range of supportive medical care, including medications, necessary for the complete management of therapy patients. For example, he would not be able to prescribe medication for relief of radiation sequelae such as vomiting or skin reaction, and it may not be possible to delegate effectively these medical care aspects of radiotherapy.
Because most proposed individual users on teletherapy licenses are fully qualified physicians, we do not normally consider the medical care aspects of users' responsibilities; however, from a policy perspective and the standpoint of the health and safety of therapy patients, we do not believe that teletherapy users should have legal restrictions over their ability to provide all aspects of medical care for their patients; therefore, for the reasons previously discussed, your request is denied.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103, you may request a hearing with respect to this denial within 20 days of the date of this letter.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME], Director |
License No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Docket No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Control No.: [INSERT NUMBER]
Enclosures:
1. 10 CFR Parts 2, 35
2. Indiana Medical Practice Act
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JAN 10, 1989
Docket No. 030-00000
EA No. 88-000
Applicant K
ATTN: Mr. John Doe
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
Gentlemen:
SUBJECT: DENIAL OF LICENSE APPLICATION
This refers to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspection conducted an July 20, 1987, and to the NRC investigation conducted during October and November 1987 by NRC's Office of Investigations (OI), that was conducted to determine whether you had possessed radioactive material before your receiving an NRC license for that you applied on August 14, 1987. In addition, the investigation was initiated to determine whether you had been truthful when discussing these matters with a member of the NRC Region IV staff. The synopsis of this investigation is attached.
NRC's regulations in 10 CFR 30.33(a)(3) require that an applicant for a license be "qualified by training and experience to use the material for the purpose requested in such manner as to protect health and minimize danger to life or property." Notwithstanding the fact that you, the applicant, proposed as authorized users individuals whose training and experience meet the requirements of 10 CFR Part 39, you have demonstrated inadequate training and experience with regard to NRC requirements in that you knowingly possessed licensed material without the license required by 10 CFR 30.3. Specifically, as a result of the NRC investigation referenced above, NRC has concluded that, in violation of NRC requirements known to you at the time, you possessed a radioactive source before obtaining an NRC license to possess such material. In addition, you provided inaccurate information to NRC About your possession of this material. Possession of the radioactive source without a license is a violation of the requirements of 10 CFR 30.3, that prohibits any person from transferring, receiving, possessing, or using byproduct material without a specific license issued by NRC pursuant to Title 10, Chapter I, Code of Federal Regulations. Had the lack of candor occurred on or after February 1, 1988 (the effective date of the regulation), it would have been in violation of 10 CFR 30.9, that requires applicants to provide complete and accurate information to NRC.
Therefore, NRC does not have the requisite reasonable assurance that you would comply, in the future, with all NRC requirements, including 10 CFR 30.9. Thus, NRC cannot conclude that you would use licensed material in such a manner as to protect health and minimize danger to life and property. Accordingly, your license application is hereby denied, pursuant to 10 CFR 2.103.
As provided in 10 CFR 2.103, you have the right to request a hearing concerning this denial. If you wish to request a hearing, it must be submitted within 20 days from the date of this letter to the Secretary of the Commission, ATTN: Chief, Docketing and Service Branch, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, with a copy to the Assistant General Counsel for Hearings, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555. The request should reference this letter and Docket Number 030-00000.
In the event a hearing is held, the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether the facts regarding prior possession of material and the false statement proffered by a representative of Applicant K are a reasonable and adequate basis for denial of the license application filed by Applicant K.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME] |
Enclosures:
1. 10 CFR Parts 2 and 30
2. OI Report Synopsis
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JULY 26, 2000
Mr. John Doe, President
Licensee L
Any Address
Anytown, Anystate 12345
SUBJECT: EVALUATION OF THE XYZ GAUGE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO GENERAL LICENSEES
Dear Mr. Doe:
This letter is in response to your December 23, 1997, application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requesting authorization to distribute the XYZ portable moisture density gauge to persons generally licensed under 10 CFR 31.5. After consideration of the application and supplemental information, we have concluded that the XYZ gauge should not be authorized for distribution to generally licensed persons, and accordingly your December 23, 1997, application is denied.
Title 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2) states that an applicant must provide reasonable assurance that a generally licensed device can be safely operated by persons not having been trained in radiological protection, and that under accident conditions (such as fire and explosion) associated with handling, storage, and use of the device, it is unlikely that any person would receive an external radiation dose or dose commitment in excess of doses specified in Column IV of the table in 10 CFR 32.24 (15 rems to the whole body, 200 rems to the skin or extremities, and 50 rems to other organs.) NRC finds that the accident dose criteria given in 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2) have not been met by your device, as explained below.
Portable moisture density gauges are frequently damaged in accidents, and frequently lost or stolen, due to their common use in a construction environment. Your application analyzes a single accident scenario, where the gauge is crushed, and the sources remain in the shielded position. For this scenario, the projected doses you calculated meet the criteria specified in 10 CFR 32.51. Although you state that more severe accidents are unlikely, NRC has determined that a more severe accident scenario, where the gauge is severely damaged and the sources become unshielded, must be considered when evaluating whether the device meets the 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2)(iii) criteria. Since unshielded sources from portable moisture density gauges have been found in the public domain, NRC believes that this is a reasonable scenario to consider.
For example, in 1999, a portable moisture density gauge in Wyoming was struck by a truck, with the sources in the retracted position. The gauge was torn apart, and the cesium-137 was separated from the gauge shielding. If an untrained person picked up an unshielded cesium-137 source and put it in his/her pocket, bringing the source into contact with the body, the dose criteria specified in 10 CFR 32.51 would be exceeded in less than one hour.
In addition, NRC disagrees with your position that generally licensed gauges are no more likely to be stolen than specifically licensed gauges. NRC recognizes that all gauge owners will take normal precautions to prevent theft; however, NRC believes that the required security measures for specific licensees reduce the risk of theft and loss. Specific licensees are required to provide gauge users with radiological training, to provide security measures to prevent unauthorized access, theft, loss, and accidents involving the gauges, and to have emergency procedures that mitigate the consequences of accidents. General licensees are subject to less rigorous requirements.
NRC has concluded that, if the XYZ gauge were generally licensed, the associated reduction in applicable safety requirements would significantly increase the probability of serious accidents, including accidents due to mishandling following loss or theft. The probability for accidents exceeding the dose criteria specified in 10 CFR 32.51(a)(2)(iii) and 32.24 would be increased beyond a probability considered unlikely; therefore, NRC has determined that the XYZ gauge fails to meet the requirements for generally licensed devices with respect to accident conditions.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.103(b), 2.1203, and 2.1205(b), you may request a hearing on this denial within 20 days of the date of this letter. Any hearing request sent by mail, telegram, or facsimile should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attn.: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, with a copy to the Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington DC 20555-0001. The request should reference this letter, as well as Sealed Source and Device Case #00-99 and Docket Number 030-12345.
Sincerely,
/RA/ [NAME], Director |
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Requests for relief from recordkeeping or posting requirements, in Part 35. The following information is sufficient:
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The following license condition should be used: "Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 35, the licensee may use the alternative method for (recordkeeping or posting) as described in the letter/application dated [instert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions from 10 CFR 35.315(a)(4) and 35.415(a)(4), that require surveys in contiguous areas after the administration of a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical dosage or implantation of sealed sources for brachytherapy, respectively. |
The following describes additional information needed: |
a. The licensee must provide a detailed description of the rooms
used for therapy, including the adjacent areas and the area above
and below such rooms used for therapy. A sketch of the treatment rooms
and adjacent areas should be submitted with the layout of the rooms
and adjacent areas indicated.
b. The licensee must describe how it will evaluate the dose rates in areas adjacent to treatment rooms, and provide sample calculations. All assumptions used in the evaluation must be clearly identified. The licensee must describe what shielding is present in the walls/floor/ceiling. The licensee must state that if any of the parameters used in the initial evaluations change (i.e., room layout, increase in source activity, etc.), a new evaluation will be performed. c. The licensee must provide enough information to determine that
the requirements in 10 CFR 20.1301(a) will be met. The licensee
must also address how it will determine that dose limits to members
of the public and other patients in unrestricted areas from multiple
therapy patients or subsequent hospital stays in the same calendar
year will not exceed 100 millirem per calendar year. |
The following license condition should be used for exemptions from
10 CFR 35.315(a)(4):
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 35.315(a)(4), the licensee may use the alternative method for determining the dose rates in contiguous restricted and unrestricted areas described in the letter/application dated [inster date]." The following license condition should be used for exemptions from 10 CFR 35.415(a)(4): "Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 35.415(a)(4), the licensee may use the alternative method for determining the dose rates in contiguous restricted and unrestricted areas described in the letter/application dated [inster date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions from the use requirement in 10 CFR
35.400(d) for iridium-192 and 10 CFR 35.400(g) for palladium-103 to
allow other than interstitial treatment of cancer. |
For the exemption to be granted, the licensee must specify iridium-192
(Ir-192) encased in nylon ribbon and palladium-103 (Pd-103) seeds.
No additional radiation safety procedures need to be identified. Ir-192
and Pd-103 have been used for intracavitary use for many years, and
sources in the Sealed Source and Device Registry that have passed
the testing criteria for interstitial use can be used in intracavitary
or topical applications. Requests for authorization of gold-198 and
iodine-125 seeds for intracavitary and topical applications should
be coordinated with NMSS as identified in Section 4.13 of this NUREG. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 35.400(d) and (g), the licensee may use iridium-192 as seeds encased in nylon ribbon and palladium-103 as seeds for topical, interstitial, and intracavitary treatment of cancer. The licensee may deviate from the manufacturer's radiation safety and handling instructions only to the extent that the instructions are not applicable to the type of use proposed by the licensee." |
Regions may grant exemptions from the requirement in 10 CFR 35.404(a), that prohibits the release from confinement for medical care, a patient or human research subject with eye plaque implants until all sources have been removed. |
Although the eye plaque implant is temporary (it will be
removed after several days), the manner in that it is used is similar
to a permanent implant. Because the implant is sutured into place,
the device cannot be removed by the average patient, nor is it likely
to become dislodged or lost.
For the exemption to be granted, the licensee must adequately commit to comply with the requirements described below to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety and to meet the survey requirements for permanent implant patients specified in 10 CFR 35.75(b.) Specifically, the licensee must commit to comply with the following provisions: The measured dose rate from the patient must be less than 5 millirems per hour at a distance of 1 meter. a. The patient will be provided with radiation safety guidance on how to maintain doses to other individuals as low as reasonably achievable. b. A radiation survey of the patient will be made with a radiation detection survey instrument after removing the eye plaque but before release of the patient to ensure that all sources have been removed. c. Upon removal of the eye plaque, the plaque will be disassembled, and a physical inventory of the seeds will be conducted to confirm that all sources have been recovered. d. The licensee must also address any specific radiation safety instructions to be provided to patients. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 35.404(a), the licensee may release from confinement for medical care a patient with a temporary eye plaque implant in place, in accordance with procedures described in letter/application dated [instert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 35.647 to extend the time
for servicing and inspection of a teletherapy unit. |
The following information is sufficient:
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The following license condition should be used. In general, the
maximum interval from one inspection and servicing to the next is
6 years.
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 35.647, the licensee is authorized to extend until [insert date] the time interval for inspection and servicing of its teletherapy unit." |
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Although many provisions of 10 CFR Part 36 apply to converted teletherapy units, compliance with certain applicable provisions of the rule may be impractical, and exemptions will be granted from specific sections of 10 CFR Part 36, provided that the licensee requests and technically justifies the exemption. The following are technical justifications and commitments acceptable for exemptions from specific sections of 10 CFR Part 36.
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.23(a) that states, in
part, that "The personnel entrance door or barrier must have a lock
that is operated by the same key used to move the sources..." |
Grant this exemption only when the licensee commits to have the
operator present for the entire period of time that the key is in
the control panel. For converted teletherapy units, the use of a single
key or even several keys on a key-ring may be impractical. The key-switch
on many control panels is a three-position switch that controls electrical
power to the teletherapy unit. The key can only be inserted/removed
in the "off" position, and in this position the main power and control
circuits are without electrical power. Power is required to move collimators,
activate field lights, align system, etc. Requiring a single key would
not allow the licensee to operate these powered systems. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.23(a), the licensee may use separate keys to operate the lock on the personnel entrance door or barrier and to move the sources in accordance with procedures described in the letter/application dated [insert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.23(b), that states, in part, that "...each entrance to a radiation room at a panoramic irradiator must have an independent backup access control to detect personnel entry while the sources are exposed..." |
The Region may grant the licensee an exemption from this requirement, provided that the licensee has an electrical interlock system meeting all of the conditions specified in 10 CFR 35.615(b) on each entrance to the radiation room. Alterations of the electrical interlocks of the teletherapy unit to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 35.23(b) may cause the interlock system to function incorrectly. A working electrical interlock system on each entrance suffices to prevent personnel entry while the source is exposed. In addition, the licensee must commit to having an operator present during the entire irradiation who can visually observe the entrance and to having a radiation monitor that can be read before entering the radiation area. |
The following license condition should be used: "Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.23(b), the licensee is exempt from having an independent backup access control to detect personnel entry while sources are exposed, based on the commitments described in the letter/application dated [instert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.23(c), that states, in
part, that "The monitor must be integrated with personnel access door
locks to prevent room access when radiation levels are high..." |
Alteration of the interlock system to meet this requirement would
prevent entry to the treatment room to remove a patient in the event
of a stuck source. The Region may grant the licensee an exemption
from this requirement, provided that the licensee has an electrical
interlock system that will retract the source upon opening access
doors to the irradiation room and commits to its use. In addition,
the licensee must commit to having an operator present and having
a radiation monitor in the room, as discussed above. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.23(c), the licensee is exempt from having the monitor integrated with personnel access door locks to prevent room access when radiation levels are high, based on the commitments described in the letter/application dated [instert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.23(d), that states, in
part, that "...visible and audible alarms to alert people in the radiation
room that the sources will be moved from their shielded position..." |
An acceptable justification is that an audible alarm within the
treatment room may cause undue distress to the patients (human or
animal.) If the licensee commits to having a visual alarm provided
on the outside of the treatment room, and to having the operator visually
check the room before starting treatments, the Regions may grant
the licensee an exemption from this provision of the regulations. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.23(d), the licensee is exempt from having a visible and audible alarm within the treatment area, based on the commitments described in the letter/application dated [instert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.23(f), that states, in
part, that "Each radiation room at a panoramic irradiator must contain
a control that prevents the sources from moving from the shielded
position unless the control has been activated and the door...has
been closed within a preset time..." |
Exemptions may be granted to licensees having teletherapy units
that are being used for irradiation of materials only (no patients),
provided the licensee commits to the operator visually verifying that
the room is not occupied before closing the door, and that the converted
teletherapy unit (irradiator) activates a visual and audible alarm
in the teletherapy room for at least 15 seconds before moving the
source from the shielded position. This visual and audible alarm must
be interlocked with the teletherapy unit such that the source will
not move to the exposed position until the visual and audible alarm
has been activated and is finished alarming. The use of a visual and
audible alarm in a patient treatment room may cause patient anxiety
(human or animal.) Object or material irradiation may be granted an
exemption from 10 CFR 36.23(f) without the need to have
a visual and audible alarm, if the licensee commits to having an operator
visually verify that the room is not occupied before closing the
door and if the licensee has a means of visual observation of the
area as required in 10 CFR 35.615(e.) If the unit is not used for
patients, then the visual and audible alarm described above is required. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.23(f), the licensee is exempt from having a control that prevents the sources from moving from the shielded position unless the control has been activated and the door or barrier to the radiation room has been closed within a preset time based on the commitments described in the letter/application dated [instert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.27(a), that states, in
part, that "The sources must automatically become fully shielded if
a fire is detected...," and 10 CFR 36.27(b), that states, "The radiation
room at a panoramic irradiator must be equipped with a fire extinguishing
system capable of extinguishing a fire without the entry of personnel
into the room. The system for the radiation room must have a shut-off
valve to control flooding into unrestricted areas." |
The Statements of Consideration state that the purpose of a fire
extinguishing system is to prevent a fire from damaging the access
control system or preventing the sources from being shielded. Most
converted teletherapy units are designed to retract the source when
the electrical power fails, as may occur during a fire. The licensee
may be granted an exemption from these requirements by the Region,
provided that the licensee commits to having smoke detectors, fire
extinguishers, and a fire alarm at the site to detect and fight small
fires, and to alert authorities of the fire; to have a means of measuring
the radiation levels in the radiation room during an electrical failure;
and to instruct the operators to retract the source before exiting
for a fire involving major portions of the facility, provided this
action does not jeopardize the operator's safety. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.27(a) and (b), the licensee is exempt from (as requested by licensee) based on the commitments described in the letter/application dated [instert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.31(a), that states, in
part, that "The key must be attached to a portable radiation survey
meter by a chain or cable...The door to the radiation room must require
the same key." |
Converted teletherapy units require that the source activation key
be inserted in the console to provide power to the unit to activate
field lights and align the head; therefore, the Region may grant the
licensee an exemption from this requirement, provided that the licensee
commits to having administrative controls in place to insure that
personnel entering the radiation room use a portable survey meter
to verify that the source has retracted. The licensee must also commit
to attach the survey meter to the exposure room door key. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.31(a), the licensee is exempt from the requirement to have the console key attached to a portable survey meter by a chain or cable and that the door to the radiation room require the same key, based on the commitments described in the letter/application dated [instert date]." The radiation room door key shall be attached to the portable survey meter. |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.31(b), that states, in
part, that "The console of a panoramic irradiator must have a source
position indicator that indicates when the sources are in...transit." |
In converted teletherapy units, the source is moved nearly instantaneously
from the shielded to the exposed position. Most teletherapy units
are designed with two indicator lights. The green light indicates
the source is in the fully shielded position; the red light indicates
the source is exposed. During transit, both lights are on,
indicating that the source is in transit. To require that the licensee
install an electronic system to indicate "in transit" for the period
of time the source is in transit, less than a second, does not provide
any additional protection. Illumination of both lights simultaneously
accomplishes the same safety goal as an "in transit" indicator; therefore,
the Region may grant this exemption, provided the licensee submits
a description of its device indicators. |
The following license condition should be used:
"Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.31(b), the licensee is exempt from the requirement to have a separate position indicator to indicate when the source is in transit, in accordance with letter/application dated [instert date]." |
Regions may grant exemptions to 10 CFR 36.67(b)(2), that states that a licensee must "Activate a control in the radiation room that permits the sources to be moved from the shielded position only if the door to the radiation room is locked within a preset time after setting the control." |
Due to the risk of malfunction associated with alterations to the existing electrical interlocks of the teletherapy unit necessary to comply with this regulation, and the licensee's commitment to administratively control access to the room to meet the intent of this regulation, the Region may grant this exemption if the licensee demonstrates that a retrofit to install such a control would not be possible with the teletherapy unit and if the licensee commits to the following:
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The following license condition should be used: "Notwithstanding the requirements of 10 CFR 36.67(b)(2), the licensee is exempt from the requirement to have a control in the radiation room that must be activated before irradiation and that would not allow the source to be moved from the shielded position unless the door to the radiation room is locked within a present time, based on the commitments described in the letter/application dated [instert date]." |
1. Staff should note that the Handbook was issued in
late 1996. In mid-1997, NRC promulgated the License Termination Rule (LTR)
that established a dose-based criterion for terminating licenses, as well
as criteria for terminating licenses with restrictions on future land use.
In addition, in mid-1998, the Commission instructed the staff to develop
a Standard Review Plan (SRP) to assist the staff in reviewing information
developed by licensees to support decommissioning. This SRP has been issued
as draft NUREG-1727 for public comment. The Handbook will be updated in
the near future to incorporate the requirements of the LTR and the guidance
in the SRP. Until these efforts are completed, staff should contact the
Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste Management, Office of Nuclear
Material Safety and Safeguards, with questions concerning the termination
of licenses.
2. Irradiators under construction are inspected as needed
3. May have Resident Inspectors
4. Typically th inspections per year
5. Resident Inspectors audit more frequently
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