U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Import of Cigarette Plates Containing Source Material

HPPOS-201 PDR-9111210341

Title: Import of Cigarette Plates Containing Source

Material

See the memorandum from V. L. Miller to J. D. LaFleur dated

October 20, 1982. This memo states that the incorporation

of source material into a consumer product, such as

cigarette plates, constitutes processing, and therefore,

the product does not qualify for any exemption in 10 CFR

40.13. Only specific or general licensees may possess this

type of product.

An opinion was sought on whether a consumer product called

"Nicotine Alkaloid Control Plate" qualified for any

exemption under 10 CFR 40.13. The product, to be imported

from Japan, consisted of a light metal plate on which was

glued a layer of finely ground thorium containing monazite

sand and covered by thin tissue paper. It was estimated

that the plate was composed of 50% monazite sand containing

4% thorium. On being placed with the sand side next to a

package of cigarettes, the alpha particles emitted by the

thorium were to denature and reduce nicotine, tar, and

harmful gases.

The NRC opinion was that incorporation of source material

into a consumer product constitutes processing, and

therefore, the product did not qualify for any exemption

from 10 CFR 40.13. As a result, only specific or general

licensees may posses the product. No apparent legal

purpose for possession in the U.S. exists because of the

products sole personal use by cigarette smokers.

Regulatory references: 10 CFR 40.13

Subject codes: 11.1, 11.6

Applicability: Source Material