Question 5: Who is responsible for regulating radium - the
State or NRC?
Answer: The NRC regulates radium when it is in
NRC-licensed uranium or thorium ores (source material, as
defined in Part 20) or in tailings or wastes from
processing these ores (byproduct material, as defined in
Part 20). The control of radium that may be incidental to
NRC-licensed operations is evaluated by NRC as required by
NEPA. Releases of radium from a site, other than from
NRC-licensed material (ores or tailings), may be required
to meet State release limits. Also, an NRC licensee may be
required to get a State license for the radium in
naturally-occurring radioactive material (NORM) if the
State requires a license for the use and possession of this
material. (References: 10 CFR 20.1001, 10 CFR 20.1002, 10
CFR 20.1003)