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NRC 10 CFR

The NRCNRCThe NRC has a important role in that it regulates the operation and regulation of Nuclear Reactors in the USA. This regulation is done by many means, one of which is reporting of all reactor activities daily. The regulation is scrutinized due to the risk of radiation contamination and the possibility of attacks or the usage of enriched uranium for weapons. The NRC also manages (In conjunction with OSHA and DOL) the radiation standards and regulations of workers. The NRC does not only work with 10 Code of Federal Regulations are the standards that govern the USNRC, governing its regulations on Nuclear ReactorNuclear ReactorIn it's most simplest form, a nuclear reactor uses Uranium and other radioactive materials and the fission from uranium to create heat, and transfer that heat into steam to create power. Nuclear reactors are one of the biggest sources of energy, although not renewable, uranium has a very high energy density resulting in massive power transmissions. There are many different types of nuclear reactors, and this term serves as a broad hub/introduction for each type. After uranium is used in reactos. The CFR is lengthy, however the NRC website has helpfully devided it into sections and subparts; a brief summary of the most interesting and informative sections will be listed below.

Part 20 - Standards for Protection against Radiation

An interesting portion of this section is its long explanation of important definitions that are often used in NRC event reports on its website. A brief list is provided:

  • ALI is the derived limit for the body of an adult worker for the amt of radioactive material; smaller value of intake that would result in a committed effective dose of 5 rems or a comitted dose of 50 rems.
  • Committed Dose is the dose equivalent to the tiessues of reference that will be recieved for the 50 yr period following intake
  • Comitted Effective Dose is the sum of the products of weighing factors regarding the comitted dose

Occupational Dose Limits

The occupational dose limits for adults is 5 rems, or the deep dose of 50 rems; the annual limits to the lens of the eye, skin of body, and extremeties are 15 rems for the eyes, and 50 rems to the skin of the body. WHEN external exposure is determined; deep dose equivalent MUST be used in place of the effective dose.

However, this differs for members of the public - the dose limit is 0.1 rem, with a application-needed limit of .5 rem and for pregnant persons the limit is 0.5 rem with a 0.05 rem buffer.