Radiation Information for Technical Users and the Regulated Community
These pages give access to scientific information and regulatory guidance about radiation, radioactivity, and radiation protection.
On this page:
- Radiation Laboratories
- Environmental Data and Tools
- Reports and Publications
- Laws, Regulations, and Guidance
- Other Sources of Information
- Contacts
- Radiation Protection Programs at EPA
Radiation Laboratories
National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory
NAREL is a comprehensive environmental laboratory providing a variety of laboratory services:
- radioanalytical chemistry
- emergency response
- radiological survey
- environmental monitoring
NAREL monitors the national environment for particular radionuclides through the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System. The system is a national network of monitoring stations. NAREL is in Montgomery, Alabama.
Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory
RIENL is an EPA laboratory dedicated to minimizing exposure to radiation and indoor air pollution through environmental measurements, applied technologies, and education. The laboratory offers many laboratory services:
- radioanalysis of monitoring and other samples
- measurement and monitoring concentration, distribution, and transport of radioactive materials
- management of indoor air quality
More Info
- Multi-Agency Radiation Laboratory Analytical Protocols (MARLAP)
The MARLAP Manual addresses the need for a nationally consistent approach to producing radioanalytical laboratory data that meet a project's or program's data requirements.
Environmental Data and Tools
Models and Software
Model Software
descriptions and downloadable applications, users' manuals, and updates for PRESTO, COMPLY, and CAP-88.
Risk Assessment
this program develops radionuclide fate and transport models, dose and risk models, and dose and risk coefficients.
[Environmental Data and Tools]
Tools
Cleanup: Technology and Tools
offers manuals, technical guides, fact sheets about existing, emerging, and innovative tools for cleaning up radioactively contaminated sites
Federal Guidance
general and technical guidance for federal agencies' use in developing radiation protection regulations
Multi-Agency Radiation Site Survey Investigation Manual
information on planning, conducting, evaluating, and documenting environmental radiological surveys of surface soil and building surfaces for demonstrating compliance with regulations. The MARSSIM is a multi-agency consensus document.
Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocols
a performance based approach and will provide guidance and a framework to assure that laboratory radioanalytical data meets the specific project or program needs and requirements.
Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Assessment of Materials and Equipment
information on planning, conducting, evaluating, and documenting environmental radiological surveys of materials and equipment. The MARSAME is a multi-agency consensus supplement to MARSSIM.
Health Effects Summary Tables (HEAST) Radionuclides Table
latest information and guidance on using radionuclide slope factors from the HEAST Tables to calculate potential risks to the public.
Federal Guidance Report 13, Cancer Risk Coefficients for Environmental Exposure to Radionuclides (PDF) (335 pp, 3MB About PDF) [EPA 402/R-99-00]
a set of guidelines developed by EPA, for use by federal and state agencies responsible for protecting the public from the harmful effects of radiation. A CD supplement and Acute Dose Calculator are available.
[Environmental Data and Tools]
Data
Environmental Radiation Monitoring Reports
contain data from the RadNet monitoring system.
Envirofacts
a national information system that provides an integrated single point of access to data extracted from major EPA databases.
[Environmental Data and Tools]
Test Methods
EPA Test Methods and Guidelines
specific test methods and procedures as well as an index for materials not in electronic format.
[Environmental Data and Tools]
Reports and Publications
Radiation Protection Publications
Access to research publications and technical documents.
Laws, Regulations, and Guidance
Air Standards (NESHAPs)
National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants or NESHAPs are standards that limit emissions from specific sources of air pollutants that are known or suspected to cause serious health problems. These standards are developed by EPA under the Clean Air Act.
More Info
- Rad NESHAPs
This site provides access to the Rad NESHAPs regulations and contacts within EPA/
[Laws, Regulations, and Guidance]
Drinking Water Standards
Maximum Contaminant Levels for Radionuclides
National Primary Drinking Water Standards
Safe Drinking Water Act
guide to the law, regulations, and fact sheets
- Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations and Guidance
requirements and help meeting them
[Laws, Regulations, and Guidance]
Guidance
Radiation Risk Assessment Guidance (RAGS) Part A
provides guidance on the human health evaluation activities that are conducted during the baseline risk assessments first step of the RI/FS.
Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) Part B
guidance on using EPA toxicity values and exposure information to derive risk-based preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for a Superfund site.
Guidance for Data Usability for Radionuclides (RAGS)Part B (PDF) (74 pp, 1.3MB About PDF) [PB92-963362] May,1992
supplemental guidance to Part A (must be used with part A)on planning and assessing radioanalytical data needs for the baseline human health risk assessment in the remedial investigation (RI) process at sites containing radioactive substances.
Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) Part C
guidance on the human health risk evaluations of remedial alternatives that are conducted during the feasibility study, during selection and documentation of a remedy, and during and after remedy implementation.
Radiation Technology Screening Guide (PDF) (203 pp, 527K About PDF) [EPA 402-R-96-017] November 1996
designed to help identify and screen technologies that may effectively treat sites radioactively contaminated in solid and liquid media.
Waste and Cleanup Risk Assessment
information about waste and cleanup risk assessment programs, glossary, localized information for all EPA Regions, and general-interest Risk Assessment information.
EPA Radiation Guidance for CERCLA Risk Assessment
calculators and guidance
Radiation Guidance for CERCLA Cleanup Levels and ARARs
training, assistance, and guidance on establishing cleanup levels
HRS Training, Section 20: Radionuclides
benchmarks for radionuclides
Soil Screening Guidance for Radionuclides
a framework for developing risk-based, soil screening levels (SSLs); focuses on a simple methodology for developing site-specific screening levels, but also includes detailed models and generic SSLs to be used where site conditions warrant.
For Manufacturers
Device Advice
The FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health's self-service site for medical device and radiation emitting product information.
[Laws, Regulations, and Guidance]
Other Sources of Information
Chemical Registry System
information on chemicals, including radionuclides,by name, formula, type, definition, specific governmental regulations, specific literature references, or specific EPA offices
More Info
- EPA Research Page
shows the role of science at EPA and gives access to scientific information that may be useful in understanding and protecting our environment.
Contacts
Contact Us
Radiation Protection Program contact information including phone, e-mail, and land mail
Regional Rad Program Contacts
key contacts for radiation protection issues in EPA's regional offices
Environmental Justice Contacts
contact information, including phone, e-mail, land mail
Radiation Protection Programs at EPA
Radiation Protection Program
This site provides basic information about radiation science, and reference materials, as well as project/program-specific information and reports.
Brownfields
In addition to general information, the Brownfields site contains laws, regulations and guidance; information on funding and tax incentives; and reports and other information.
Superfund
The Superfund site is maintained by EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. It contains information about regulations as well as access to various databases.
Radionuclides in Drinking Water
This site addresses radionuclides in water and includes MCLs.
Radon in Air
This site provides general and technical information about indoor radon, radon detection and mitigation as well as lists of contracts.