2008-11-13

Following September’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) workshop on the security and continued use of Cesium-137 chloride sources, ASH has been working with congressional sponsors of The Nuclear Facility and Materials Security Act of 2008 (H.R. 6816 / S. 3444). Staff in the office of Representative Edward Markey (D-MA), the chief sponsor of the legislation in the House, were sympathetic to concerns about the legislation raised by ASH and assured ASH that that the intent of the legislation is in no way meant to impede or negatively impact biomedical research. ASH will be continuing to work with Representative Markey and his staff over the next several months to suggest possible changes to The Nuclear Facility and Materials Security Act to ensure that biomedical research and patient care are not negatively impacted by a possible phase-out of Cesium-137 chloride.

In September, ASH submitted comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as part of a workshop on the security and continued use of Cesium-137 chloride sources, which are currently used by hospitals, research institutions, and blood banks. The Society’s comments expressed concern about the impact on research and clinical care by phasing out Cesium-137 chloride irradiators and urged the NRC not to initiate any regulation that would adversely affect biomedical research and patient care.