Health Physics Questions and Answers - Question 5

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)