ACR supports Nuclear Regulatory Commission's proposal to loosen security requirements for radioactive materials
The American College of Radiology is backing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s efforts to revise security regulations pertaining to radioactive materials.
In April, the NRC released a proposed rule relating to physical protection and security of category 1 and category 2 quantities of radioactive material. The goal is to comply with the Trump administration’s NRC reform executive order and reduce regulatory hurdles involved in the transport of these materials, which are used daily in medical and research settings.
Transporting these materials can only be done by individuals who have undergone training specific to the handling of radioactive materials. This is done in coordination with local law enforcement agencies. Current federal requirements stipulate that this training must be completed every year, but the NRC is proposing that this training window be extended to every three years.
The new proposed rule also would eliminate the need for licensees to complete weekly physical checks of materials to ensure they have not been tampered with. NRC contends this check is unnecessary, as the materials are routinely handled and any issues would be detected during exchange and transfer. The commission estimates that the changes could save the industry more than $11 million annually.
The revisions were proposed in April, with comments accepted until May 11. During that time, the college shared support for the changes, suggesting that the tasks are "duplicative and administratively burdensome.” ACR also suggested that the annual on-site refresher training for security personnel who may come in contact with these materials stay in place.
“Healthcare facilities experience periodic personnel turnover,” the college noted in its comments. “To ensure all staff are sufficiently informed, we believe annual security refresher training is appropriate and is not overly burdensome for licensees.”
Another NRC proposal aimed to eliminate maintenance and testing requirements for security systems involved in the transport and exchange of radioactive materials. ACR disagreed with this proposal, instead suggesting that these requirements be revised and narrowed; the college signaled support for allowing facilities to adhere to security system manufacturers’ recommendations for system testing.
ACR's full comments can be viewed here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.