NRC: When can you hug your glowing grandma?
Published Date: 8/11/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for public comment a draft Regulatory Guide (DG), DG-8070, "Release of Patients Administered Radioactive Material." This DG is proposed Revision 2 of Regulatory Guide (RG) 8.39 of the same name. The proposed revision provides methods that are acceptable to the NRC staff for the release of individuals, referred to as patients in this revision, after a medical procedure involving the administration of unsealed byproduct material, such as radiopharmaceuticals, or implants that contain radioactive material.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Updated rules for releasing treated patients
The NRC issued Draft Regulatory Guide DG-8070 (proposed Revision 2 to RG 8.39) that provides methods the NRC staff accepts for when patients may be released after medical procedures that give them unsealed radioactive material or radioactive implants. The guide aligns with proposed revisions to 10 CFR 35.75 and is intended to help licensees estimate timing, circumstances, and risks of patient release and when instructions or records are required.
Guidance on doses to caregivers
DG-8070 includes specific guidance and examples related to dose limits and how to apply new definitions for medical uses, including guidance related to radiation doses that caregivers may receive from patients. The draft guide is intended to help licensees assess caregiver exposure and determine when instructions to caregivers are needed.
Uses NCRP methods to estimate public dose
DG-8070 incorporates up-to-date methodologies based on NCRP Report No. 155 for calculating the radiation dose members of the public may receive from a patient who contains byproduct material. The guide is intended to enable more accurate estimates of public doses from released patients and when records or instructions should be provided.
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