Radiation Protection Rules

The rules are being amended to comply with federal requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). North Carolina entered into an agreement with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (now the NRC) effective 8/1/64. This agreement provided for the discontinuance of U.S. Atomic Energy Commission regulatory authority in the state. This Commission had to determine the N.C. program for radiation protection was compatible with federal regulations and was adequate to protect public health and safety for the agreement to be approved. The agreement was signed by the Governor, therefore N.C. is an Agreement State. The agreement requires N.C. to continue to maintain compatibility with NRC radiation protection rules. The N.C. Radiation Protection Section is inspected by NRC every four years to verify the radiation program remains compatible and adequate to protect public health and safety, including federal rule compatibility. In most cases N.C. radiation protection program rules must be identical with the federal rules. Failure to maintain compatibility with appropriate federal rules could result in N.C. losing its NRC Agreement Status. In that event, the NRC would resume regulatory authority over radioactive materials use in N.C. Reverting back to federal control would result in fee increases for N.C. business entities that require use of radioactive materials. NRC radioactive materials license fees are at least double the current N.C. fees in most cases.