CBG Comments on NRC’s Exemptions from Materials Licenses Action

Today, Committee to Bridge the Gap submitted comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on its proposal to deregulate 661 radioactive isotopes (575 new ones and 86 with higher levels exempted) at levels equivalent to 500 millirem annually. That's so much radiation that, over a lifetime of exposure, it would cause cancer in 1 in 25 people.

You can read our full analysis here:

Read CBG Comments
Backround:
The NRC is using a fast-track process to exempt hundreds of radioactive materials from being regulated or "licensed" under certain thresholds — claiming it's "noncontroversial" to avoid public analysis of health or environmental impact.
These hundreds of radioactive substances could go:
  • To commercial recycling to make consumer goods — zippers, baby toys, belt buckles, building supplies
  • To regular trash dumps and incinerators
  • To hazardous dumps and processing centers
  • To be used for deliberate use in everyday consumer goods and industrial products
If we don't flood the NRC with comments to show that this would be “controversial” and has significant and adverse effects, the rule will be finalized, with no further consideration or input.
CBGs EML Pie Chart

Description: NRC’s action would add 575 radionuclides to the list of radionuclides that are exempt, under certain levels, from licensing requirements; the NRC action would also make 86 radionuclides license exemptions less protective, allowing higher levels to be unregulated. There would be a total of 760 radionuclides exempted from licensing requirements under certain limits, if NRC’s proposal stands.

There's still a few hours left to comment:

Submit Your Comment to NRC

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