NRC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON DRAFT POLICY STATEMENT ON 

PROTECTION OF CESIUM CHLORIDE RADIATION SOURCES 

 The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on a draft policy 

statement on the protection of cesium-137 chloride radiation sources that are widely used in 

medicine and industry, and will hold a public meeting to solicit stakeholders’ input. 

 The draft policy statement, to be published tomorrow in the Federal Register, describes 

the Commission’s proposed policy and expectations on the secure uses of cesium chloride 

sources and the agency’s potential actions should the threat environment change. The draft 

statement emphasizes that the security of radiation sources is an essential part of the NRC’s 

mission, cesium chloride sources are adequately protected under current NRC requirements, and 

the NRC encourages voluntary design improvements that could further enhance their security. 

 Cesium chloride sources are used in blood irradiation, bio-medical and industrial 

research, and calibration of instrumentation and dosimetry. They have received special attention 

because the cesium chloride powder is highly soluble and dispersible, presenting security 

concerns that the sources could be used by terrorists in a radiological dispersal device, or “dirty 

bomb.” 

 While noting the beneficial uses of cesium chloride radiation sources, the draft policy 

statement says developing alternative technologies would be “prudent,” and states the agency’s 

view that it is “imperative to develop a pathway for the long-term storage and disposal of these 

sources.” 

 The draft policy statement reflects security improvements imposed by the NRC and state 

agencies since 2001, as well as a voluntary program initiated by the National Nuclear Security 

Administration to enhance security beyond NRC requirements. The subject of cesium chloride 

radiation sources was also addressed by the Interagency Radiation Source Protection and 

Security Task Force, created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and chaired by NRC Chairman 

Gregory B. Jaczko. The task force is scheduled to issue its second report to the President and 

Congress in August. 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 

E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov

Site: http://www.nrc.gov

No. 10-117 June 28, 2010
 Comments on the draft policy statement will be accepted through Dec. 17. They may be 

submitted through the federal government’s rulemaking Web site, http://www.regulations.gov, 

using Docket ID NRC-2010-0209, or by mail to Cindy Bladey, Chief, Rules, Announcements 

and Directives Branch, Office of Administration, MS: TWB-5 B1M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. 

The NRC plans to conduct a public meeting on Nov. 16-17 to solicit additional public 

input on major issues relating to the policy statement. Details on the exact venue will be 

announced at a later date, but the agency plans to hold the meeting in the vicinity of NRC 

headquarters in Rockville, Md. Information on the public meeting is posted – and will be 

continually updated, at http://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/licensing.html#cc. 

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