Byproduct Materials

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s mission is to ensure radioactive materials are used safely. 

The NRC and its predecessor, the Atomic Energy Commission, have regulated the use of radioactive 

materials since 1946. “Byproduct material,” one type that the NRC regulates, 

has commercial, medical and academic uses.

There are four categories of byproduct material:

1. Radioactive material that results from the fissioning, or splitting apart, of 

enriched uranium or plutonium in nuclear reactors. Examples include 

cobalt-60, cesium-137 and iridium-192. 

2. Tailings or waste produced by processing uranium or thorium from ore.

3. Certain processed radium-226 or material that becomes radioactive in a 

particle accelerator used for a commercial, medical or research activity. 

Examples include fluorine-18, cobalt-57 and iodine-123.

4. A naturally occurring radioactive source that is processed to increase its 

concentration and that the Commission decides could pose a threat to 

people and the environment similar to that of radium-226.

Uses of Byproduct Materials

Licensees use byproduct materials in 

civilian and military work. They are used in 

industrial radiography, gauges and well logging. 

The public also uses them in products such as 

smoke detectors, some exit signs, static eliminators 

and some luminous watch dials. Medical licensees 

use byproduct materials in more than 20 million 

procedures each year. They help diagnose and treat 

patients in hospitals, clinics or doctors’ offices. 

Colleges, universities and other institutions use 

byproduct materials in course work and research.

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Security

Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the 

NRC increased security requirements for the most 

radioactive byproduct materials. First, the agency 

issued orders to licensees. Later, it formalized the 

requirements in a new regulation, 10 CFR Part 37, 

published in March 2013. Security measures include 

background checks, personnel access controls, 

security barriers, unauthorized access detection and an 

armed law enforcement response. The NRC and state 

regulators conduct periodic inspections to make sure 

licenses are meeting these requirements.

Regulating Byproducts

Byproduct materials are regulated by the NRC and 37 

states that have signed agreements with the NRC giving them 

that authority. Known as Agreement States, these states issue 

licenses and regulate about 20,000 materials licensees. The 

NRC also has authority over security, import and export, and 

exempt distribution of consumer products—allowing their 

use without requiring a specific NRC license.

The NRC regulates byproduct material use in 13 nonAgreement States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 

other U. S. territories. The NRC also regulates its use by 

federal licensees in all states. In all, the NRC oversees about 

2,700 byproduct material licenses. The NRC reviews about 

2,000 materials licensing actions each year, including new 

applications, 

amendments to 

existing licenses, 

license renewals, and 

sealed source and device reviews. The NRC inspects about 900 

materials licensees each year.

The NRC conducts most of its materials licensing and 

inspection activities from its regional offices. At NRC 

headquarters, the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and 

Safeguards oversees the program and provides technical support 

and guidance. The office periodically evaluates the technical 

adequacy, consistency and timeliness of both the regional and 

state programs to ensure they protect health and safety.

January 2020