EPA's Radiation Protection Standards
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
About Regulations and Standards
EPA's mission is to protect human health and
the environment. As part of this mission, EPA
writes regulations that explain the technical,
operational, and legal details necessary
to implement federal environmental laws.
Regulations are mandatory requirements that
can apply to individuals, businesses, states,
local governments, or other institutions. Many
environmental regulations set standards that
limit the amount of a hazardous material
allowed in the environment.
Protecting the Environment from
Radioactive Materials
EPA's mission is to protect human health and the
environment from pollution. The Agency establishes
certain generally applicable environmental standards
to protect human health and the environment from
radioactive materials. These radioactive materials emit
ionizing radiation, which can damage living tissue
and cause cancer. EPA does not regulate naturally
occurring radiation or the non-ionizing radiation that
is emitted by electrical devices such as cell phones.
EPA does not directly regulate the daily operations
of nuclear power plants. The Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) has regulatory responsibility
for licensing and oversight of nuclear power plants
and other commercial facilities that use radioactive
materials. NRC implements EPA standards at
applicable facilities.
Standards for Specific Sources
EPA's Office of Air and Radiation has issued regulations
that cover specific types of materials and facilities that
could pose significant risks to the public:
• Nuclear Power Operations: EPA's Environmental
Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power
Operations (40 CFR 190) limit the radiation releases and
doses to the public from the normal operation of nuclear
power plants and other uranium fuel cycle facilities.
The standards apply to facilities involved in the milling,
conversion, fabrication, use and processing of uranium
fuel for generating electrical power.
• Spent Nuclear Fuel, High Level, and Transuranic
Wastes: EPA's Management and Storage of Spent Fuel,
High Level and Transuranic Wastes (40 CFR 191) sets
dose standards for public protection from the radiation
from spent nuclear fuel, high-level wastes and wastes
that contain elements with atomic numbers higher than
uranium (transuranic wastes). The standards apply to
the management, storage and disposal of spent nuclear
fuel, and include provisions to protect groundwater from
radioactive contamination.
• Uranium Mill Wastes: EPA's Health and Environmental
Protection Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill
Tailings (40 CFR 192) set dose and emission limits for the
protection of public health, safety, and the environment
from the radiological and chemical hazards associated
with uranium and thorium ore processing, including their
associated wastes.
United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J)
EPA 402-F-12-002 | September 2013
www.epa.gov/radiation/
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• Air Emissions: Radiological National Emissions
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS)
(40 CFR 61) set limits for airborne radiological
emissions from specific activities and facilities. For
example, Subpart Hof the standards applies to
releases from DOE facilities. Subpart Wlimits radon
emissions from tailings at operating uranium mills.
For more information, visit the EPA Radiation
Protection website at:
www. epa.gov/radiation
Other Regulatory Agencies
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC)—The NRC regulates the civilian
uses of nuclear materials in the United
States by licensing facilities that possess,
use, or dispose of nuclear materials;
establishing standards; and inspecting
licensed facilities.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) —DOE
is responsible for regulating its nuclear
activities to ensure protection of workers
and the public from radiation. DOE is also
responsible for disposing of spent nuclear
fuel and high-level radioactive waste
from the nation's nuclear power plants
and for the management and disposal of
radioactive waste and other radioactive
materials associated with its nuclear
weapons production and research and
development activities.
U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT)—DOT, in cooperation with Nuclear
Regulatory Commission and the states,
governs the packaging and transport of
commercial radioactive materials.
States—Most states have agencies
responsible for regulating the use of
radiation and radioactive emissions. Some
states operate under an agreement with the
NRC to license and regulate certain types
of radioactive materials.
United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J)
EPA 402-F-12-002 | September 2013
www.epa.gov/radiation/
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