BRP Information Notice 2011-01:
Notice of Possible Source Leakage During Non-Routine Maintenance on a Gammacell 40 Irradiator

To: All Pennsylvania irradiator licensees and irradiator service providers.

This information notice alerts of a contamination event that occurred during a non-routine maintenance operation on a Gammacell 40 blood irradiator. It is expected that all Pennsylvania irradiator licensees and service providers will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar incidents.

BRP Information Notice 2011-01, dated January 7, 2011
Click here for full text of BRP Information Notice 2011-01
NRC Information Notice 2009-18:
Performance of Required Shutter
Checks and Reporting of
Gauge Shutter Failures

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued an Information Notice to alert fixed gauge specific and general licensees about the potential for the failure of shutter closure mechanisms on fixed gauges and the requirements for reporting these events to the NRC. It is expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar incidents.

Since 1990, NRC received numerous reports of fixed gauge shutter closure failures occurring during shutter closure checks performed by licensees. The initial reports indicated that the failures of the shutter open/close mechanisms were sudden and unexpected and most resulted in the inability of the licensee to close the shutter on the device. In addition, most of these reports indicated a breakage of some part of the shutter closure mechanism.

NRC Medical Device Safety Alert, dated September 18, 2009
Click here for full text of NRC Information Notice 2009-18

Effective March 31, 2008, any person using or possessing radioactive material in the Commonwealth, other than in federal facilities or areas of exclusive federal jurisdiction, must first obtain a radioactive material license from the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Radiation Protection. Examples of radioactive material include Byproduct Material, Source Material, Special Nuclear Material (in quantities not sufficient to form a critical mass), Accelerator-Produced Material and Radium.

Agreement State Program

NRC Completes Pennsylvania Agreement to
Regulate Certain Radioactive Materials
Agreement State Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Governor Signs Measure Strengthening State Oversight of most Pennsylvania Facilities Using Radioactive Materials
  • Pennsylvania Gains 'Agreement State' Status with NRC; Federal Government Will Retain Control of Nuclear Power Plants

  • Under an agreement signed March 2008 with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, on March 31, 2008, Pennsylvania assumed regulatory authority over approximately 700 radioactive material users in the state, a change Governor Edward G. Rendell said will strengthen public safety by improving emergency response capabilities.

  • See full press release:  PDF or HTML
The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors Observes Pennsylvania's History and Future as the Newest NRC Agreement State
CRCPD's Certificate of Achievement presented to the Commonwealth
Click image for larger view

CRCPD's letter of congratulations



On April 23, 2008, the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc. (CRCPD), issued the accompanying letter and Certificate of Achievement to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to mark both the Commonwealth's long history of radiation safety programs and Pennsylvania's recent achievement of Agreement State status.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty accepted the commendation on behalf of the Commonwealth, the Department and the Bureau of Radiation Protection.


Temporary Regulation Change
Due to Technetium-99m Shortage

DEP regulations incorporate by reference certain NRC regulations, and it is our policy to use NRC guidance as appropriate for our PA Agreement State licensing program. The NRC has issued an “Exemption from 10 CFR Part 32 and 10 CFR Part 35 requirements on procurement and transfer for technetium-99m, and calibration of instrumentation using technetium-99m”, and DEP-BRP is in concurrence with this exemption. Details of the exemption are available electronically at the NRC’s Electronic Reading Room at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Licensees may only find regulatory relief from these specific requirements while there is a shortage of Mo-99/Tc-99m, and should monitor the PA Bulletin and our website for additional related information in the future.

Radioactive Material Increased Controls Information

Financial Assurance for Pennsylvania Licenses

The Bureau's Financial Assurance for Pennsylvania Licenses webpage provides detailed instructions for licensees requiring financial assurance.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Job Vacancy Announcement: Radiation Health Physicists
This job announcement is also available as a Word document.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has immediate openings for Radiation Health Physicists (1 & 2 Levels) in their Harrisburg, Norristown and Pittsburgh offices. These positions will be responsible for meeting the increased demands of licensing, inspecting and decommissioning activities, as well as routine radon, x-ray, accelerator, emergency response, radioactive waste and environmental surveillance programs.

DEP is a state government agency responsible for administering Pennsylvania’s environmental laws and regulations related to air, water, waste, mineral resources, radiation, energy and community revitalization. Many DEP positions are civil service; therefore, applicants must participate in civil service examinations to be considered for employment.

In order to qualify for the RHP 1 level, applicants must possess 2 years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards and a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in the physical, biological or radiological sciences or in engineering, with a minimum of 20 credits in physical sciences, engineering or mathematics; OR 6 years of technical experience providing protection to radiation workers, the general public, and the environment from the effects of radiation, and a certificate of registration issued by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists or American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training. Starting annual salary is $41,017.

Candidates for the RHP 2 level must possess 3 years of professional experience and a bachelor’s degree as referenced above; OR certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training. Starting annual salary is $46,807.

You need not be a Pennsylvania resident to apply. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance; liberal retirement/pension plan; paid vacation, personal and sick leave; paid holidays; prescription, vision and dental coverage; paid group life insurance; and more.

Questions about eligibility and application procedures should be referred to the Bureau of Human Resources at (717) 783-2021 or by email at DEPJobs@state.pa.us. Apply now at www.scsc.state.pa.us.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Supporting Workforce Diversity
www.depweb.state.pa.us