2013 Assuring Radiation Protection

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Since 1968, FDA has taken the lead in working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and its predecessor organizations, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to provide financial support for a forum established to foster the exchange of ideas and information among the States and the Federal Government concerning radiation control. This forum has made it possible for State and Federal agencies to work together to study existing and potential radiological health problems of mutual interest and to apply their increasingly limited resources with maximum efficiency in seeking ways to address these problems, foster coordination and provide original views. Three major mechanisms traditionally have been used to achieve this coordination between State and Federal agencies: 1. When certain radiation control issues warrant specific consideration, committees and other working groups comprised of representatives of State radiation control programs and liaison members from the concerned Federal agencies have been formed to evaluate these issues and recommend ways to address them. The recommendations of the committees are evaluated by a central management board and final recommended actions are relayed to the appropriate Federal and State agencies and Tribal organizations. 2. Annual meetings of Federal and State officials are convened to present and discuss the results of the recommended actions. The annual meetings also include workshops to more carefully define new problems and areas of mutual concern in radiation control, and clinics to demonstrate mutually beneficial radiological health techniques, procedures, and systems. The annual meeting lasts approximately 4 days, with an average attendance of 350 participants. 3. Additional educational activities have been developed and provided for the benefit of members of State programs having radiation control responsibilities and the general public to acquaint them with radiation exposure problems and the proposed solutions. Methods used have included videotapes, publications, and training courses. For the full version of the RFA FD-13-002 please contact Gladys Bohler at 301-827-7175 or gladys.bohler@fda.hhs.gov

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