State Radiation Protection Programs

Each state in the United States has one or more programs designed to ensure its citizens benefit from appropriate use of radiation and radioactive material and environmental radioactive material. States have been regulating radiation producing machines and their use for more than 40 years. Under the Atomic Energy Act and its revisions, 36 states have agreements with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to regulate many radioactive isotopes produced in the nuclear fuel cycle and some of the source material that is used in the nuclear fuel cycle. Radioactive material produced in accelerators, if regulated in a state, is regulated by the state. Many states also have active programs to reduce risk from radon, lasers, and tanning booths. More typical programs regulate or register X-ray equipment used in medical, dental, and veterinary work. Inspections of mammography equipment and facilities are also carried out primarily by states in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration. Most states have trained staff able to respond to nuclear incidents and those states that have responsibility for emergency response due to nearby nuclear power plants are evaluated every two years. Radiation protection programs have made tremendous strides in cooperation with industry and users of radiation producing equipment and radioactive material.  They prevent most serious errors from being made.  Examples would be the MQSA program, reduction in dose from fluoroscopy, improved diagnostic methods, reductions in worker dose, improvements in safety from non-destructive testing, and others.  These improvements in an individual's health and safety are due to the partnership between your program and the regulated industry.