IEMA Links

The Division of Nuclear Safety is responsible for protecting Illinois residents from the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The division is recognized across the nation and around the world as a leader in radiation safety. The Division of Nuclear Safety administers over two dozen programs to protect citizens and the environment, including:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued an initial notification of a safety investigation regarding CT brain perfusion scans. FDA has become aware of radiation overexposure during perfusion CT imaging which aids in the diagnosis and treatment of a stroke. This incident included 206 patients at one particular facility involving this one kind of study. While neither the facility nor the state is named in the report, we are concerned this may reflect more widespread problems with CT quality assurance programs.

We are bringing this notice to your attention so that you can help ensure that this important information is received by the appropriate members of your radiology staff to ensure the safety and efficacy of CT imaging at your facility.

For more information, please see FDA's Safety Investigation of CT Brain Perfusion Scans: Initial Notification.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently conducted a comprehensive review of the Illinois Agreement State Program. The review, using the criteria outlined in the NRC Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP), was performed by a five-person team from May 11-15, 2009. The review team found Illinois' performance to be satisfactory for all of the various performance indicators. This is the highest finding allowed by IMPEP. The review team made one recommendation in regard to program performance by the State and also identified one good practice that will be shared with all other Agreement States and NRC regions. Based on the results of the current IMPEP review, the next full IMPEP review will take place in approximately four years.

According to IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez III, "The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is very pleased with the results of the NRC review of its program and will continue to ensure Illinois has the highest quality radioactive materials regulatory program for the protection of Illinois citizens and the environment."

Below is a link to a proposed rule by the USNRC that would require some generally licensed devices to be specifically licensed. The proposed rule would revise 10 CFR Part 31 to limit the quantity of byproduct material contained in a generally licensed device to below one-tenth (1/10) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Category 3 thresholds. As a result of this amendment, individuals possessing devices with byproduct material meeting or exceeding these thresholds would be required to apply for and obtain a specific license. The NRC is also considering and may include in the final rule an additional change concerning generally licensed devices held by specific licensees. The proposal would require any specific licensee possessing a device generally licensed under 10 CFR 31.5 at a site for which a specific license is in place, to transfer the device to the authority of their specific license. Since final rules adopted by NRC will be required to be adopted by Illinois due to the compatibility policy of NRC, Illinois licensees may want to comment on the NRC proposed rules before they become final and are subsequently required of Illinois licensees. The proposed rule was published in Federal Register/Vol.74, No. 147/Monday, August 3, 2009/Proposed Rules pages 38372 - 38381. Comments should be sent to the NRC by October 19, 2009.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18438.pdf

Below are links to an exemption that grants relief from 32 Ill Adm. Code 335.2010(b), 335.3010(a), 35.4010(a) and 330.260(c) - Requirements on Procurement and Transfer of Technetium-99m, and Calibration of Instrumentation Using Technetium-99m. It is being sent to all Illinois medical use licensees, and exempts them from specific requirements that govern calibration tests that use technetium-99m (Tc-99m), and distribution of Tc-99m. The intent of this Exemption is to assure that during times of limited supply the available technetium-99m is used for patient administrations.

Letter to Licensees

Copy of Similar Exemption for NRC Licensees

The PRND program is a partnership between the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF), the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) and the IEMA Division of Nuclear Safety designed to provide first responders with state of the art personal radiation detectors and a 24-hour technical reachback for adjudication of alarms. Bureau of Environmental Safety (BES) staffers have designed and are in the process of implementing a two tiered system for response to alarms that includes use of Illinois State Police and local fire/hazmat personnel as the first reachback resource.

BES recently completed distribution and training for personal radiation detectors (PRDs) and radioisotope identification devices (RIIDs) as part of a pilot study being conducted under the PRND program. BES currently has 321 PRDs and 57 RIIDs deployed. Lessons learned from the pilot study areas will serve to improve aspects of the program such as training content, support infrastructure functionality and test instrumentation sensitivity and alarm settings prior to the commencement of general radiation detector distributions. For additional information on the PRND program see the IEMA 2008 Year in Review.

Illinois Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Act mandates an annual survey of all low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) generators in Illinois. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) requires all LLRW generators to complete this questionnaire. This is the 24th report based on the response of those surveys. 2007 Annual Survey Report.

Please be aware and plan ahead for a fee increase for radioactive material licenses. These fees had not been increased since 2001, and the increase is imperative to continue services under the Illinois Agreement State Program. The revised fees will be reflected in the annual billing, which will be sent out in August and due in October. Please refer to Part 331 of the Agency's regulations for details.

IEMA's Bureau of Nuclear Facility Safety is in the first stages of a multi-year effort to replace the existing Gamma Detection Monitoring System detectors located around each nuclear power plant facility with modern detectors, improved telecommunications for more reliable data transfer, supplemental meteorological packages, and solar power to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. This upgrade will enhance the Agency's detection and plume modeling capabilities. The first site to be replaced was Dresden, followed this calendar year by Clinton and possibly Braidwood. Future site upgrades will be determined later.

The cost of radon test kits from various suppliers is now included on the website in a convenient format. Check the radon page for further information. The Agency encourages the testing of your home for radon.

The Agency has sent a letter to all computed tomography (CT) facilities in Illinois to encourage the efficient use of CT when performing pediatric exams. A copy of the letter is available on the website.

Please see the radon page for information about the Radon Poster Contest sponsored by the USEPA, as well as pictures of the recent Illinois contest winners.

Please refer to the radioactive materials page for a copy of Information Notices for various Illinois Radioactive Material Licensees.

• Informational Notice for Industrial Radiographers: Part 405 changes (August 2008).



• IEMA helps schools safely dispose of unused radioactive materials from their labs

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