May 13, 2005—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is asking for comments and information from the public to help determine whether the agency’s standards for occupational exposure to ionizing radiation need updating.
The agency’s request for information addresses current uses of ionizing radiation in the workplace and issues related to its use, such as employee exposure levels, health effects of ionizing radiation exposure, and workplace programs to control such exposure. The agency will use the information to determine if and how its ionizing radiation standards should be updated.
Ionizing radiation sources can be found in a wide range of occupational settings, including health care facilities, research institutions, nuclear reactors and their support facilities, nuclear weapon production facilities, and various manufacturing settings. OSHA says that these radiation sources can pose a considerable health risk to affected workers if not properly controlled.
For more information or to submit comments (by August 1), see the May 9 Federal Register.
