IEMA Links

The Division of Nuclear Safety is responsible for protecting Illinois residents from the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The division is recognized across the nation and around the world as a leader in radiation safety. The Division of Nuclear Safety administers over two dozen programs to protect citizens and the environment, including:

The Agency has sent a letter to all computed tomography (CT) facilities in Illinois to encourage the efficient use of CT when performing pediatric exams. A copy of the letter is available on the website.

Important Message for Parents: A letter to parents regarding medical imaging in children from The Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging found on the Image Gently website. There are many other materials on the website such as a free parent brochure about CT scans that can be downloaded and printed for local use. The Image Gently medical imaging record card is also available for use.

On December 7, 2000 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) finalized their drinking water standards for removal of radionuclides. The regulations became effective in December of 2003 and drinking water treatment facilities were mandated to meet the 5 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) limit for combined radium. As radium is removed from the raw water and manifests itself either in the drinking water treatment media or at a wastewater treatment facility; the management of these treatment residuals is the subject of regulations recently promulgated by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's (IEMA) Division of Nuclear Safety (DNS).

Specifically, persons producing or possessing residuals or sludge resulting from the treatment of water or sewage and containing naturally occurring radium from groundwater are exempt from licensure provided they contain a combined radium (Radium-226 and Radium-228) concentration less than or equal to 200 pCi/g (picocuries per gram, dry weight basis). Ultimately, the exemption came about in response to petitions for higher land application rates for radium, agency response efforts at landfills and scrap yards handling treatment residuals and equipment contaminated with radium, the need to create awareness and the agency's responsibility to protect the health and safety of municipal workers. Specific details on requirements for land application, field sampling, disposal, and annual reporting were codified in the resulting rule.

Additional Information pertaining to the regulation can be found using the below links.

• Online Registration for persons producing or possessing residuals or sludge resulting from the treatment of water or sewage.
• Rule 32 Illinois Administrative Code 330.40(d) containing specific details on requirements for land application, field sampling, disposal, and annual reporting.
• The guidance document outlines detailed information and the implementation strategy on each aspect of the exemption.
• Drinking Water/Wastewater Treatment Facilities Required to Register.

In our continuing effort to support our regulated community, we are pleased to announce new online features providing you greater flexibility in the management of your registration and x-ray device inventory.

The Agency's Electronic Products Section annually bills over 11,000 x-ray facilities for registration fees. The fees are based on the number of x-ray machines each facility possesses and facility operators must often update the equipment information to provide an accurate accounting of their machines and the appropriate fee owed. The Agency's website now has an Online X-Ray Registration & Fee Payment Portal to allow facilities to make updates to equipment and facility information and to pay the fee online as well. We anticipate this new program will be valuable for the x-ray registrants and Agency alike, so that less paper is handled and electronic updates and transactions will be accomplished faster and more accurately. The online portal is now available for the 2011 billing cycle which begins in January. Registration fee bills and additional information regarding the online payment system will be mailed to each facility in January.

While the primary focus of the program is to collect online registration fees, the portal will be an ongoing asset for updates of registration and equipment information. Please click the following link, Online X-Ray Registration & Fee Payment Portal to access your facility's information.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Division of Nuclear Safety is charged with protecting the citizens of Illinois from the harmful effects of radioactive materials. To that end, the Division of Nuclear Safety monitors the environment around Illinois's seven nuclear power stations for the presence of radionuclides. Samples of water, sediment, fish, milk and vegetables are collected from 132 locations analyzed for man-made and natural radionuclides. In addition, the Agency maintains a network 415 environmental dosimeters to measure and document the ambient gamma radiation levels within a ten-mile radius of each station.

Click here to read the full 2009 report.

IEMA radioactive material licensing guidance documents and application forms are now available within the Bureau of Radiation Safety, Radioactive Materials, Information for Specific Licensees section of the website.

The guidance documents, including Instructional Sets, application forms and renewal forms are found under Medical, Non Medical, and Industrial.

On June 15, 2010, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published for public comment a proposed rule to establish security requirements for the use and transport of Category 1 and Category 2 quantities of radioactive material. The comment period for this proposed rule was to have expired on October 13, 2010. The NRC received several requests to extend the comment period to January 18, 2011. Due to the size and complexity of the proposed rule and the associated draft implementation guidance, the NRC has decided to extend the comment period until January 18, 2011.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations in Parts 30, 40, 70, 170, and 171 of 10 CFR, primarily to address source material. This rule would affect manufacturers and initial distributors of certain products and materials containing source material under general license and under exemptions from licensing. The proposed rule includes new requirements to obtain a specific license for the initial distribution of source material to certain general licensees and to persons exempt from licensing. In addition, the proposed rule would impact certain general licensees by revising the general license for small quantities of source material to lower possession limits for certain types of source material and to clarify disposal and decommissioning requirements. Finally, the proposed rule revises or removes certain exemptions for source material products.

Additional information on how to submit comments is listed in the proposed rulemaking. Comments must be submitted directly to the NRC. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. The Agency strongly recommends that Illinois licensees submit comments on this proposal. If licensees wait to comment on subsequently proposed Illinois regulations, the Agency may not have an option to modify the Illinois version of the regulations. Therefore, it is important for Illinois licensees to comment to NRC now.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register (75 FR 43425) on July 26, 2010. The rule is posted at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2009-0084. The public comment period ends November 23, 2010.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) seeks public comment on a proposed rule to make several changes to its regulations for distributors of radioactive material, aimed at making requirements clearer, less prescriptive, more risk-informed and up-to-date. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2010. It is also available at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2008-0338.

NRC requests comments to be submitted by September 7, 2010. Additional information on how to submit comments is listed in the proposed rulemaking. Comments must be submitted directly to the NRC. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. The Agency strongly recommends that Illinois licensees submit comments on this proposal. If licensees wait to comment on subsequently proposed Illinois regulations, the Agency may not have an option to modify the Illinois version of the regulations. Therefore, it is important for Illinois licensees to comment to NRC now.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is seeking public comment on a draft policy statement on the protection of cesium-137 chloride radiation sources that are widely used in medicine and industry and will hold a public meeting to solicit stakeholders' input.

Comments on the draft policy statement will be accepted through Dec. 17, 2010. These comments should be submitted to the NRC. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. They may be submitted through the federal government's rulemaking Web site, using Docket ID NRC-2010-0209, or by mail to Cindy Bladey, Chief, Rules, Announcements and Directives Branch, Office of Administration, MS: TWB-5 B1M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. The NRC plans to conduct a public meeting on Nov. 16-17, 2010.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) seeks public comment on proposed new regulations that will establish security requirements for the most risk-significant radioactive materials (those in Category 1 and Category 2 of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources), as well as for shipments of small amounts of irradiated reactor fuel. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on June 15, 2010 and adds a new Part 37 to the NRC's regulations in Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. The rule makes conforming changes to other parts of NRC regulations regarding radioactive materials. There is also an associated guidance document that is available at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2010-0194.

NRC requests comments to be submitted by October 13, 2010. Additional information on how to submit comments is listed in the proposed rulemaking. Comments must be submitted directly to the NRC. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. The Agency strongly recommends that Illinois licensees submit comments on the 10 CFR Part 37 Regulations. Part 37 regulations are a matter of compatibility with NRC and requires the Agency to develop and implement regulations that are essentially identical to Part 37. If licensees wait to comment on subsequently proposed Illinois regulations, the Agency may not have an option to modify the Illinois version of the regulations. Therefore, it is important for Illinois licensees to comment to NRC now. The NRC is also planning to hold two public meetings on the draft implementation guidance in September.

This 2009 Site History and Environmental Monitoring Report for the Sheffield Low-Level Radioactive Disposal Site was developed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Bureau of Environmental Safety (BES) to provide information to anyone interested in this closed low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) disposal site. This report provides historical background on the Sheffield LLRW site and its operation including the context of the time that it operated, design flaws, remedies, key regulatory issues, and the site's past and current performance.

The Facility Equipment Profile Lookup is an option for use by x-ray facilities and consultants. This tool allows the user to view and print facility and equipment information. Simply type in the facility's Registration Number for access. If you do not know your Registration Number, contact Don Agnew at 217-785-9975 or don.agnew@illinois.gov.

After years of generators requesting, the LLRW Management Program has finally joined the 21st Century. The Bureau of Environmental Safety and the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Program are pleased to announce that the 2009 LLRW Annual Survey will be completed online rather than in paper format. Our goal was to make the transition as simple for the generators as possible. The questions and tables are the same as the paper version, only it will be filled out electronically.

Generators were notified of the change in format via a letter sent to them at the end of December. The letter included the generator's username and temporary password along with instructions for accessing the online version of the 2009 Annual Survey. The Annual Survey can be accessed by clicking on the "LLRW Generator's Survey" button on this page.

The contact person for the Annual Survey has changed this year. Long-time section employee Vera Small has taken another position in the Agency. The new contact person for the Annual Survey is Marcia Marr. You may reach her at 217-785-9982. A dedicated email account has been established. You may email questions and comments to the Agency using the address ema.LLRWAnnualSurvey@illinois.gov. We look forward to hearing your comments and feedback.

Beginning in January 2010 (for February renewals), the Agency will implement a new electronic notification system for renewal of technologist accreditations. In an effort to reduce our environmental impact as well as costs, we will only send a paper renewal form to technologists that do not have an email address on file with the Agency. If an electronic renewal notice is received, technologists will have the option of printing out the renewal form to mail with a check, or being directed to the Agency's on-line renewal system (which requires a valid checking account).

Technologists wishing to examine their current email address, or add/change/delete an email address, may do so by accessing the Medical Radiation Technologist Services log-in screen or by contacting the Agency's technologist accreditation section at 217-785-9913.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued an initial notification of a safety investigation regarding CT brain perfusion scans. FDA has become aware of radiation overexposure during perfusion CT imaging which aids in the diagnosis and treatment of a stroke. This incident included 206 patients at one particular facility involving this one kind of study. While neither the facility nor the state is named in the report, we are concerned this may reflect more widespread problems with CT quality assurance programs.

We are bringing this notice to your attention so that you can help ensure that this important information is received by the appropriate members of your radiology staff to ensure the safety and efficacy of CT imaging at your facility.

For more information, please see FDA's Safety Investigation of CT Brain Perfusion Scans: Initial Notification.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently conducted a comprehensive review of the Illinois Agreement State Program. The review, using the criteria outlined in the NRC Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP), was performed by a five-person team from May 11-15, 2009. The review team found Illinois' performance to be satisfactory for all of the various performance indicators. This is the highest finding allowed by IMPEP. The review team made one recommendation in regard to program performance by the State and also identified one good practice that will be shared with all other Agreement States and NRC regions. Based on the results of the current IMPEP review, the next full IMPEP review will take place in approximately four years.

According to IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez III, "The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is very pleased with the results of the NRC review of its program and will continue to ensure Illinois has the highest quality radioactive materials regulatory program for the protection of Illinois citizens and the environment."

Below is a link to a proposed rule by the USNRC that would require some generally licensed devices to be specifically licensed. The proposed rule would revise 10 CFR Part 31 to limit the quantity of byproduct material contained in a generally licensed device to below one-tenth (1/10) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Category 3 thresholds. As a result of this amendment, individuals possessing devices with byproduct material meeting or exceeding these thresholds would be required to apply for and obtain a specific license. The NRC is also considering and may include in the final rule an additional change concerning generally licensed devices held by specific licensees. The proposal would require any specific licensee possessing a device generally licensed under 10 CFR 31.5 at a site for which a specific license is in place, to transfer the device to the authority of their specific license. Since final rules adopted by NRC will be required to be adopted by Illinois due to the compatibility policy of NRC, Illinois licensees may want to comment on the NRC proposed rules before they become final and are subsequently required of Illinois licensees. The proposed rule was published in Federal Register/Vol.74, No. 147/Monday, August 3, 2009/Proposed Rules pages 38372 - 38381. Comments should be sent to the NRC by October 19, 2009.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18438.pdf

Below are links to an exemption that grants relief from 32 Ill Adm. Code 335.2010(b), 335.3010(a), 35.4010(a) and 330.260(c) - Requirements on Procurement and Transfer of Technetium-99m, and Calibration of Instrumentation Using Technetium-99m. It is being sent to all Illinois medical use licensees, and exempts them from specific requirements that govern calibration tests that use technetium-99m (Tc-99m), and distribution of Tc-99m. The intent of this Exemption is to assure that during times of limited supply the available technetium-99m is used for patient administrations.

Letter to Licensees

Copy of Similar Exemption for NRC Licensees

The PRND program is a partnership between the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF), the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) and the IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety designed to provide first responders with state of the art personal radiation detectors and a 24-hour technical reachback for adjudication of alarms. Bureau of Environmental Safety (BES) staffers have designed and are in the process of implementing a two tiered system for response to alarms that includes use of Illinois State Police and local fire/hazmat personnel as the first reachback resource.

BES recently completed distribution and training for personal radiation detectors (PRDs) and radioisotope identification devices (RIIDs) as part of a pilot study being conducted under the PRND program. BES currently has 321 PRDs and 57 RIIDs deployed. Lessons learned from the pilot study areas will serve to improve aspects of the program such as training content, support infrastructure functionality and test instrumentation sensitivity and alarm settings prior to the commencement of general radiation detector distributions. For additional information on the PRND program see the IEMA 2008 Year in Review.

Illinois Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Act mandates an annual survey of all low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) generators in Illinois. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) requires all LLRW generators to complete this questionnaire. This is the 24th report based on the response of those surveys. 2007 Annual Survey Report.

Please be aware and plan ahead for a fee increase for radioactive material licenses. These fees had not been increased since 2001, and the increase is imperative to continue services under the Illinois Agreement State Program. The revised fees will be reflected in the annual billing, which will be sent out in August and due in October. Please refer to Part 331 of the Agency's regulations for details.

IEMA's Bureau of Nuclear Facility Safety is in the first stages of a multi-year effort to replace the existing Gamma Detection Monitoring System detectors located around each nuclear power plant facility with modern detectors, improved telecommunications for more reliable data transfer, supplemental meteorological packages, and solar power to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. This upgrade will enhance the Agency's detection and plume modeling capabilities. The first site to be replaced was Dresden, followed this calendar year by Clinton and possibly Braidwood. Future site upgrades will be determined later.

The cost of radon test kits from various suppliers is now included on the website in a convenient format. Check the radon page for further information. The Agency encourages the testing of your home for radon.

Please see the radon page for information about the Radon Poster Contest sponsored by the USEPA, as well as pictures of the recent Illinois contest winners.

Please refer to the radioactive materials page for a copy of Information Notices for various Illinois Radioactive Material Licensees.

• Informational Notice for Industrial Radiographers: Part 405 changes (August 2008).



• IEMA helps schools safely dispose of unused radioactive materials from their labs

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