Radiation Control Bureau

What's New?

New Mexico Environment Department Radon Program

Radon test kits can be requested online using the “New Mexico Radon Program” link at http://www.drhomeair.com or by calling 1-800-324-5928 and following the instructions for “The State of New Mexico Radon Test Kit Program” option.

While supplies last, these radon test kits are free to New Mexico residents, limited to one per household, on a first come, first served basis. Once the supply of pre-purchased kits has been exhausted, or if you wish to purchase additional kits, you can do so at the discounted price of $7 per test kit. Test kits, whether obtained free or purchased, include laboratory analysis and postage at no additional cost as part of this program.

CHANGES TO THE RADIOLOGICAL SERVICES PROGRAM

The Radiation Control Bureau is implementing new procedures for certification of service providers who conduct radiological services within the State.  Registration will now be based on proof of current certification and/or licensure by a national organization, recognized by the Bureau.   Beginning March 31, 2009 the Bureau will implement revised procedures for registration of all vendors.  This change is adopted to ensure that all individuals conducting radiological services within the State meet uniform and consistent criteria for recognition of their credentials.  This new procedure will streamline the evaluation process for Bureau staff and align the program with nationally recognized institutions.  Registrations are authorized for a maximum of two-years.

All currently registered radiological services vendors will receive a correspondence informing them of these changes.  Two new application/registration categories will be recognized: 1) technical services, and 2) qualified expert, each with applicable subcategories.  Complete the application form (link below) and return it along with supporting certificates/documentation to the Bureau for consideration in support of registration.  If your qualifications meet the newly adopted registration criteria you will receive a new certificate. This certificate will serve as registration to conduct radiological services in New Mexico.  After the end of calendar year 2009 all certificates issued prior to January 1, 2009, will no longer be recognized. 

For More Information Click Here

New Mexico Radioactive Material Licensees Subject to the NRC Increased Controls Order

The New Mexico Radiation Control Bureau is imposing additional requirements on licensees that possess radioactive sealed sources above quantities of concern (Table 1 of the NRC Increased Controls Order).  All licensees possessing Category 1 or 2 radioactive sealed sources, must initially register/report by January 31, 2009 each source which is above the quantities of concern, with the National Source Tracking System (NSTS) maintained by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

This requirement is based on the following NRC rules:

“National Source Tracking System” Rule finalized on November 8, 2006 (71 FR 65685);

and

Amended Rule on October 19, 2007 to revise compliance date (72 FR 59162)

Registration/reporting of all Category 1 or 2 sealed sources must be completed initially by January 31,2009 using one of the following means:

1. Online. The NSTS database will be available for reporting in January 2009.  For additional information on website address, availablity of the NSTS database, or help with reporting to the NSTS database, licensees may contact NSTS Help Desk at 1-877-671-6787 or by email NSTSHelp@nrc.gov.  Licensees can also contact our Bureau staff at (505) 476-3236 (Dan Hill), or (505) 476-3061 (Daniela Bowman), or (505) 827-2345 (Walter Medina);
2. By facsimile (using NRC Form 748) at (240) 403-4391;
3. By mail (using NRC Form 748) to the address: Lockheed Martin, NSTS Help Desk, 30 West Gude Drive, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20850;
4. By telephone 1-877-671-6787 with follow-up by facsimile or mail of the NRC Form 748.

NRC Form 748 can be downloaded from the website

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/forms/nrc748.pdf

After the initial reporting, licensees must report/register all radioactive sealed sources above the Category 1 or 2 quantities to the NSTS database every time they receive or transfer such sources.  Reporting of received or transferred sources must be done by the next business day.  Radioactive sources decayed below the Category 1 or 2 quantities do not need to be reported.  Any errors in the NSTS reporting must be corrected within 5 business days of the discovery.

On an annual basis, licensees must

1. Reconcile and verify their inventory previously entered in the NSTS database;
2. Conduct this verification and reconciliation during the month of January of each year;
3. Conduct the verification by comparing of their actual inventory to the listing in the NSTS database;
4. Resolve discrepancies by completing/correcting the NSTS reports.

Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Check

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an order in 2005 (EA-05-090) requiring implementation of an enhanced radioactive materials security provision called “Increased Controls” (ICs). As an Agreement State, New Mexico implemented the ICs in November 2005 through a license condition for all New Mexico radioactive material licensees subject to the requirements of the order.  As a part of the ICs Order, the New Mexico radioactive material licensees were required to determine that each person with access to radioactive material is sufficiently trustworthy and reliable.  The ICs Order includes direction and guidance on specific factors which may be considered when making that determination.

Regulations promulgated under the newly enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005, amended fingerprinting requirements of the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) to cover “any individual who is permitted unescorted access to radioactive material or other property subject to regulation by the NRC.”  Therefore, the NRC is imposing the fingerprinting and FBI identification and criminal history records check requirements set forth in Order EA-07-305 on all their licensees which are currently authorized to possess radioactive material in “quantities of concern.”

New Mexico must now implement the Order EA-07-305 on all our radioactive material licensees that are authorized to possess radioactive material in quantities of concern.  The Radiation Control Bureau is implementing the requirements of the Order by administratively amending all affected radioactive material licenses to include a license condition requiring licensees to complete the fingerprinting and FBI identification and criminal history records check.

Before June 5, 2008, the affected New Mexico licensees (new applicants for radioactive material license and current licensees) will have 6 months to comply with the new "Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Check" license condition requirements.  New applicants for a New Mexico radioactive material license after June 5, 2008, must demonstrate that they are in compliance with the ICs Order (EA-05-090) and Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Check Order (EA-07-305) the first day the licensees are in possession of radioactive material quantities of concern.

Interested persons can visit the following NRC web site for copies of the ICs Order (EA-05-090) and Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Check Order (EA-07-305) and guidance on the implementation of these orders:

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/enforcement/security/

Licensees may also call the Radiation Control Bureau at (505) 476-3060 for concerns or questions on these orders.