In early February, the NIH hosted a visit by Commissioner Jeff Baran of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 

The NRC is the lead regulatory agency licensing the use of radioactive material for the NIH intramural research program. This visit was not an inspection, but a brief tour of NIH programs, showcasing the variety of applications using radioactive materials. 

The tour included a visit to: the Cyclotron and PET Department; NIBIB’s Good Manufacturing Practices Laboratory (PET-cGMP) where radiopharmaceuticals are custom-made; the Nuclear Medicine Department; the Transfusion Medicine Department; and, the NCI Laboratory of Tumor Immunology & Biology. 

Seeing operations first-hand and hearing NIH researchers discuss the challenges involved in radiation safety regulations will allow Commissioner Baran to better understand the impact of regulatory rulemaking in a biomedical research environment. For more information on radiation safety at the NIH, visit the Division of Radiation Safety, part of the Office of Research Services, and its policies for research labs and clinical departments at: drs.ors.od.nih.gov. 

*Pictured from left during the tour: Ron Neumann, Chief, Nuclear Medicine Department; Elizabeth Jones, Director, Radiology and Imaging Sciences Department; NRC Commissioner Jeff Baran; Tim Tosten, Acting Director, Office of Research Services; Brad Wood, Chair, NIH Radiation Safety Committee; Cathy Ribaudo, Director, Division of Radiation Safety.