NRC ISSUES LICENSE FOR IRRADIATOR IN MILFORD TOWNSHIP, PA.
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NRC reviews irradiator applications with respect to the safety of employees and the public in the vicinity of the facility from radiation. Other federal agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, are responsible for the safety of food and determine whether food may be irradiated.

CFC applied to the NRC for a license on February 25. The NRC staff performed a thorough review of the application, including:

• An acceptance review to ensure the application contained sufficient information;
• A technical review of the radiological health, safety and security aspects of the application using the agency’s regulations and guidance;
• Inspections of the facility several times during its construction by NRC inspectors with backgrounds in health physics, electrical engineering and geotechnical engineering;
• An internal peer review of the technical thoroughness of the staff’s review; and
• Visits to the site by senior managers from the NRC’s Region I Office.

NRC staff members participated in a public information meeting about the proposed irradiator on July 16 in Quakertown, Pa. It was attended by approximately 400 citizens. In addition, NRC staff conducted a public meeting in Quakertown on August 21, which drew about

250 citizens, to provide an update regarding the agency’s review of the application, answer questions and listen to concerns. The agency has carefully considered the issues and concerns raised at those meetings and believes they have been addressed in the review of the application and licensing decision.

Based on this detailed review, the NRC has decided to issue a license to CFC allowing receipt of cobalt-60 sources and use of the irradiator. The license requires CFC to inform the NRC at least five days before the receipt of cobalt-60. The license also requires the company to notify the NRC in writing, after completion of cobalt-60 loading and testing, that the facility meets applicable agency requirements prior to use of the irradiator. The NRC will inspect the loading and testing of the irradiator. The agency will also inspect the initial operation of the facility to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the license. Further, the NRC will continue to perform periodic unannounced inspections of the facility to ensure its operations adhere to NRC requirements.

In addition to complying with NRC regulations, the company must comply with other applicable regulations governing the siting, zoning, land use and building code requirements for industrial facilities.

A request for a hearing on the CFC application was submitted to the NRC on June 23 by a group known as Concerned Citizens of Milford Township. The Chairman of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel has designated a Presiding Officer to rule on the petition and to preside over a hearing should the hearing request be granted. However, while the review of the petition is being carried out by the Presiding Officer, the NRC is not barred from issuing a license to the applicant.

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Monday, December 08, 2008