NRC Proposes Changes to Radiation Protection Rules

This article was updated July 15 to reflect the official publication of the NRC’s proposed rule.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) released a proposed rule July 15 that would revise its radiation protection framework. The proposal is part of a series of NRC efforts to revise various components of its regulations to meet the requirements of the Trump administration’s reform executive order. Its intent is to reduce regulatory burdens by changing how the agency oversees radiation exposure to the public.

If finalized, the proposed rule would replace NRC’s longstanding “as low as reasonably achievable” standard, known as ALARA. Instead, the agency would adopt a new graded approach to dose management, which would progressively increase protective measures as public radiation exposure increases.

The proposal also proposes changes to nuclear medicine patient release criteria that could affect how medical facilities determine the releasability of patients who are administered radiopharmaceuticals. If finalized, the proposed rule would allow a consenting caregiver, such as a parent or spouse, to receive a higher dose than the general public (per patient treatment regimen) so long as the caregiver is educated on the risks of radiation exposure.

The deadline to submit comments about the proposed is Aug. 31. To help inform ACR’s comment submission, contact Lindsay Robbins, ACR Regulatory Policy Specialist.