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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is in the process of rescinding or revising guidance and policies posted on this webpage in accordance with Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. In the interim, any previously issued diversity, equity, inclusion, or gender-related guidance on this webpage should be considered rescinded that is inconsistent with these Executive Orders.

Home About NRC Radiation Protection How the NRC Protects You Health Physics Positions Based on 10 CFR Part 20

Health Physics Questions and Answers - Question 381

Question 381:

(a) For nuclear power facilities does conformance with Regulatory Guides 8.8 and 8.10 fully meet the requirements of 20.1101 (b) regarding ALARA programs?

(b) If not, does the NRC plan to update these Regulatory guides to conform to new requirements?

Answer: No, to both questions.

(a) Regulatory Guide 8.8 Rev. 3 is now (in 1993) 15 years old, the second proposed revision to this guide is now 11 years old, and Regulatory Guide 8.10 is 16 years old. These guides do not adequately cover all the means that the nuclear power industry has developed and shown to be practical and cost-effective for maintaining occupational doses ALARA. For example, these guides do not recognize the importance of water chemistry controls and radiation source and field controls for maintaining doses that are ALARA.

(b) The NRC staff has not yet established a schedule for updating these guides. The staff did issue Draft Regulatory Guide DG-8004, "Radiation Protection Programs for Nuclear Power Plants," to provide guidance on compliance with 10 CFR 20.1101, "Radiation Protection Programs," including guidance on the ALARA requirements of 10 CFR 20.1101 (b). However, representatives of the nuclear power industry stated that this guide was not needed and it has been withdrawn.

(Reference: 10 CFR 20.1101)

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Friday, November 24, 2017