Update from CDPHE Radioactive Materials Unit

1
Update from CDPHE Radioactive Materials Unit

• Jim Grice, Licensing Lead
• April 12, 2012

2
Topics of Discussion

• Who we are
• What we do
• Recent Statutory and Regulatory Changes
• Energy Fuels Uranium Mill License
• Decommissioning at Cotter Mill
• TENORM Issues (AGAIN?)

3
Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment (CDPHE)

• Radiation Management Program
• Steve Tarlton, Program Manager
• Radioactive Materials Unit-Regulate Use of
  Radioactive Materials
• X-ray Unit-Regulates Use of Radiation Producing
  Machines
• Radon
• Uranium Projects

4
CDPHE Radioactive Materials Unit

• Jennifer Opila, Unit Leader
• Jim Grice, Licensing Lead
• Ed Stroud, Compliance Lead
• 6 Technical Staff (Licensing and Inspections)
• One new employee, Carrie Romanchek
• Megan Brown
• Mark Dater
• James DeWolfe
• Chas Etherton
• Phillip Peterson
• Work with Uranium Staff- Edgar Ethington (one
  vacant position)
• Work with James Jarvis on Regulations and
  Policies

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What We Do

• Regulate all Radioactive Materials used in State
  of Colorado
• Issue Licenses
• Specific (351) and General (1600) Licenses
• Perform Inspections
• Average 150 Inspections per year (routine
  inspections incidents allegations)
• Incident Investigation and Emergency Response

6
Statutory and Regulatory Changes2011-2012

• Part 7 of the Regulations (Use of materials in
  the healing arts) was amended in 2012 and the
  updated version was effective March 30, 2012.
• Upcoming changes include revisions to Parts 18
  (Uranium), 3 (Licensing), and 1 (Definitions)
• Changes as result of NRC past and recent reviews
• Will work with legislative liaison regarding
  possible RCA changes
• E-mail Notifications on Regulatory Changes
  http//www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/rad/radregs.htm

7
Part 7 Revision Highlights

• Requirements for an Authorized User to perform
  the final interpretation of results of tests have
  been eliminated
• Requirements for instructions to nuclear medicine
  patients on maintaining doses to others ALARA has
  been revised (100 mrem)
• Radiation Safety Committees are now required for
  all licensees that use radioactive materials for
  therapy

8
Current Licensee Data

• 351 Specific Radioactive Materials Licensees
• 33 are Portable Gauge Licensees
• 27 are Medical Licensees
• No other category makes up more than 10

Primary Licensed Activity Fee Category Current Licensee's Percentage
Portable Gauge 3.P 117 33
Medical 7.C 96 27
Catch All 3.Q 32 9
Basic Research 3.M 22 6
Service Provider 3.N 17 5
Industrial Radiography 3.O 17 5
Well Logging 5.A 13 4
Manufacturing and Distribution 3.B 7 2
Radiopharmacies 3.C 7 2
Provisional Prov 5 1
Uranium Recovery 2.A2 Class I 4 1
Source Material 2.C 3 1
Research Broad Scope 3.L 3 1
Closed Cell Irradiators 3.E 2 1
Licenses in Decommissioning 14.A 1 0.3
Radipharmaceuticals - Distribution Only 3.D 1 0.3
Panoramic Irradiators 3.F 1 0.3
Waste Disposal 4.A 1 0.3
Medical Sealed Sources 7.A 1 0.3
Medical Broad Scope 7.B 1 0.3
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Energy Fuels Pinon Ridge Uranium Mill

• November 18, 2009 Application Submitted
• Approximately 12 miles west of Naturita in
  Paradox Valley
• Decision, including Decision Document,
  Environmental Report and preliminary radioactive
  materials license issued January 5, 2011
• First uranium mill license in the US in more than
  25 years
• Application and more information can be found on
  our website at http//www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/ra
  d/rml/energyfuels/index.htm
• Sheep Mountain Alliance lawsuit filed February 4,
  2011
• Litigation is ongoing

10
Cotter Corporation Canon City Mill Decommissioning

• Cotter Corporation has submitted a license
  termination application and the Department will
  be working with Cotter during the decommissioning
  process
• The Department will also be working with the EPA
  to ultimately delete the Lincoln Park site from
  the National Priorities List

11
TENORM (AGAIN?)

• Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring
  Radioactive Material (TENORM)
• Occurs when NORM concentrations are increased by
  or as a result of past or present human practices
• Oil and Gas residuals, Drinking Water Treatment
  residuals, and others

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TENORM PROGRESS

• Continuous
• Focused on Water Treatment TENORM
• CDPHE and Water Treatment Systems struggling with
  design of some proposed water treatment systems
  and licensing requirements
• Water treatment systems struggling with lack of
  resources and lack of HP knowledge
• CDPHE struggling with resources to develop
  additional guidance

13
Contact Info CDPHE Radioactive Materials Unit

• Jim Grice, Licensing Lead
• James.Grice_at_state.co.us
• 303-692-3371
• Jennifer Opila, Unit Leader
• Jennifer.opila_at_state.co.us
• 303-692-3403

Thank You!