Radiation Protection

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Department of Health Services does not testify to, sponsor, or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

Information and Resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Radiation Emergency Resources
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Monitoring Radiological Incidents
• US Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Radiation Information

Highlights:

1) One regulatory guide has been updated in 2012 - Fixed Gauges.

2) Licensing of Radiographers/X-Ray Machine Operators as per 2009 Wisconsin Act 106 will be under the auspices of the Department of Safety and Professional Services. (exit DHS)

3) For information on the new indoor tanning 10% federal excise tax, check the Internal Revenue Service website.

Radiation Protection activities in the following areas are designed to minimize radiation exposure to the general public.

Environmental Monitoring  

The State of Wisconsin monitors the environment for radiation emission in the areas around the five nuclear power facilities impacting Wisconsin.  

Incident Response and Advisory Assistance

DHS has a key role in protecting the citizens of Wisconsin and their property in events involving radioactive materials other than a nuclear power plant origin.    This site provides information for professionals involved in planning for and responding to a radiological emergency. Contact:  (608) 267-4789. Sample Radioactive Emergency Posting Sign, (PDF, 14 KB)

Radioactive Materials

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Governor signed an agreement transferring regulatory authority over byproduct, source and special nuclear materials to the State of Wisconsin.  Wisconsin became the 33rd agreement state effective August 11th, 2003.  (See Who regulates on the NRC web site for a description of agreement states). 
As an agreement state, the Department is responsible for licensing and inspecting the above named materials, except at nuclear plants and federal facilities.  Radioactive materials are commonly used for medical diagnosis and treatment, industrial processes, research and education.  Contact: Cheryl Rogers: 608-266-8135.

Radiological Emergency Preparedness

A Radiological Incident Response Plan has been developed to handle all radioactive emergencies at nuclear power plants in or near Wisconsin. Activities include: developing and conducting training for state, local and utility emergency responders; procedure development; exercise scenario development; and participation in scheduled nuclear plant emergency preparedness exercises evaluated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).   Contact: Jason Hunt at 608-266-9443, Dan Stefenel at 608-266-0468, or Perry Manor at 608-267-4794.

Radon

The State of Wisconsin supports a variety of radon activities, including research, education and a statewide network of Radon Information Centers (RIC).  The RICs provide information and advisory assistance to the public regarding radioactive radon gas.  Contact: 608-267-7199.

X-ray and Tanning equipment/ Mammography facilities Inspection

The State of Wisconsin works to minimize the public's unnecessary exposure to radiation by inspecting and registering all x-ray and tanning devices for compliance to state radiation protection regulations. Mammography facilities are inspected for compliance with federal regulations.  Contact : William Balke, Supervisor at 608-267-4787.

Statutes and Rules

Regulatory and fee authority is provided by Sections 254.31 – 254.45, and 255.08 (PDF, 17 KB), Wisconsin Statutes. Rules are specified in Chapter  DHS 157, WI Administrative Code (PDF, 717 KB).  DHS 157 Appendices are Listed here  in unofficial PDF versions:  A (PDF, 14 KB), B (PDF, 12 KB), C (PDF, 8 kb), D (PDF, 10 kb), E (PDF, 171 kb), F (PDF, 24 kb), G (PDF, 10 kb), H (PDF, 17 kb), I (PDF, 12 kb), J (PDF, 4 kb), K (PDF, 20 kb) L (PDF, 4.6 kb), M (PDF, 5 kb), N (PDF, 4 kb), O (PDF, 74 kb), P (PDF, 9 kb), Q (PDF, 7 kb), R (PDF, 10 kb), S (PDF, 6 kb).

The official State of Wisconsin Legislative Administrative code can be found at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/ .  Look under Wisconsin Law, go to Administrative Code, double-click Wisconsin Administrative Code, and use the left hand menu to go through (1) Administrative Code Related; (2) Administrative Code; (3) Health Services; then (4) DHS 157.

For more information, contact:

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Last Revised:  June 17, 2013