Radiation Protection Regulations, Guidance and Compliance

In 1970, Congress gave EPA the responsibility for establishing generally applicable standards for the protection of human health and the environment from radioactive materials. EPA standards set protective limits on the radioactivityradioactivityThe emission of ionizing radiation released by a source in a given time period. The units used to measure radioactivity are becquerel (Bq) and curie (Ci). in soil, water and air that comes from human use of radioactive elements such as uranium. These radioactive elements emit ionizing radiationionizing radiationRadiation with enough energy to remove an orbital electron from an atom, creating an electrically charged atom called an ion. Ionizing radiation can damage living tissues and DNA. Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and x-rays are all forms of ionizing radiation., which can damage living tissue and cause cancer.

In addition to setting legally enforceable standards, EPA issues federal guidance documents with recommendations on radiation protection and has developed science-based guidance for cleaning up sites that are contaminated with radioactive materials. Federal guidance recommendations are used by federal and state agencies in developing radiation protection regulations and standards.

EPA does not regulate the non-ionizing radiationnon-ionizing radiationRadiation that has enough energy to move atoms or cause them to vibrate, but not enough to remove electrons. Examples of this kind of radiation are radio waves, visible light, and microwaves. that is emitted by electrical devices such as cell phones. See: Radiation Resources Outside of EPA.

Regulations and Laws

Congress and the president assign radiation protection responsibilities to EPA through laws (also known as statutes). Specific statutes make EPA responsible for writing regulations that explain what must be done to obey the law. Many environmental regulations set standards that limit the amount of hazardous material allowed in the environment to protect human health and the environment. EPA sets radiation protection standards for air and drinking water and radiation from specific sources such as nuclear power plants and uranium processing.

Federal Guidance for Radiation Protection

Federal guidance reports are used by federal and state agencies in developing radiation protection regulations and standards to protect the American public from harmful effects of radiation. EPA's federal guidance authority allows the Agency to provide advice to federal agencies about radiation matters directly or indirectly affecting public health.

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is the nation's first facility for deep geological disposal of defense-related transuranic (TRU) radioactive waste. The WIPP was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in southeastern New Mexico, about 26 miles east of Carlsbad. EPA’s role is to ensure that activities at the WIPP do not endanger human health and the environment.

Phosphogypsum

Phosphogypsum is a solid waste byproduct from processing phosphate ore to make phosphoric acid that is later used in fertilizer. The phosphate ore and the resulting phosphogypsum contain radium, which decays to form radon gas. Both radium and radon are radioactive. EPA regulates phosphogypsum under the Clean Air Act and may allow use of phosphogypsum for other purposes under specific conditions and restrictions.

Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM)

The Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) provides detailed guidance on how to demonstrate that a site complies with a radiation dose- or risk-based regulation. MARSSIM focuses on the demonstration of compliance during the final status survey following scoping, characterization and any necessary remedial actions.

Compliance Software for Radioactive Air Emissions

CAP-88, CAP-88 PC and COMPLY are models used to assess radiation risk and dose. These models are applicable to Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) compliance with certain environmental regulations such as the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) and the Clean Air Act.

• Compliance Software for Radioactive Air Emissions
• National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
• Good Practices Manual for Delegation of NSPS and NESHAPS

Site Remediation

EPA develops science-based guidance for cleaning up sites that are contaminated with radioactive materials, including Superfund Program sites. The Agency works cooperatively with other federal agencies to ensure that consistent site investigation and laboratory methods are used throughout the federal government.

This three-volume technical report helps to understand the long-term behavior of contaminants in the subsurface, particularly when it relates to groundwater. These reports are designed for EPA and other organizations who are responsible for site remediation and waste management decisions. 

• Understanding Variation in Partition Coefficient, Kd, Values

Science and guides supporting cleanup decisions at hazardous and radioactive waste sites:

• A Technical Guide to Ground-Water Model Selection at Sites Contaminated with Radioactive Substances
• Documenting Ground-Water Modeling at Sites Contaminated with Radioactive Substances
• Environmental Pathway Models-Ground-Water Modeling in Support of Remedial Decision Making at Sites Contaminated with Radioactive Material
• Technology Reference Guide for Radioactively Contaminated Media
• Technology Reference Guide for Radiologically Contaminated Surfaces
• Technology Screening Guide for Radioactively Contaminated Sites
• Three Multimedia Models Used at Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Sites