Jeremy L. Dillon
RW Monitor
3/28/2014
IN NRC
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will renew the charter for the Advisory Committee On The Medical Uses Isotopes for a period of two years, according to a notice in the Federal Register late last week. The purpose of the committee is to provide the Commission with advice dealing with the regulation and technical policy of medical isotopes. “Responsibilities include providing guidance and comments on current and proposed NRC regulations and regulatory guidance concerning medical use; evaluating certain non-routine uses of byproduct material for medical use; and evaluating training and experience of proposed authorized users,” the notice said. “The members are involved in preliminary discussions of major issues in determining the need for changes in NRC policy and regulation to ensure the continued safe use of byproduct material.”
IN THE STATES
The Navy announced this week that it will conduct radiological surveys on the houses at the former Naval Station Treasure Island in California. The Navy’s handling of the cleanup of Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay came under heavy criticism in an article published by the Center for Investigative Reporting last month. The report led to a large community outcry about possible contamination, resulting in multiple requests from residents during a Restoration Advisory Board meeting held last month for the Navy to conduct a survey. “The Navy cares about the people who live and work on Treasure Island and is committed to protecting human health and the environment,” said Keith Forman, Base Realignment and Closure Environmental Coordinator. According to a Navy release, in the event a radiological survey of a housing unit reveals a health concern, the Navy will take immediate action to protect the residents.
IN THE INDUSTRY
Perma-Fix Environmental Services announced this week that John Lash will take over as interim Chief Operating Officer, pending a board approval. Lash, who has been serving as Perma-Fix’s Senior Vice President of Operations for the Treatment Segment, will replace James Blankenhorn, who is leaving to serve as the Recovery Manager for URS at the Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant following a set of incidents there that have resulted in the facility being shut down. “We are very pleased to announce the promotion of John Lash to Chief Operating Officer,” Perma-Fox CEO Lou Centofanti said in a statement. “Since joining Perma-Fix Environmental Services in 2001, he has been a valuable member of the senior management team. He has had direct oversight of our facilities and remediation activities, and has cultivated very strong relationships with our key clients. Moreover, he has a solid reputation in the industry. We look forward to his ongoing contributions in this new role.”
Kurion announced this week that it has received ISO 9001 certification in quality management for its Richland, Wash., and Loveland, Colo. offices. The offices previously operated under Vista Engineering, which Kurion acquired earlier this year. “This ISO certification is a testament to the quality and performance standards set by Kurion and provides a framework for the newly expanded company,” said Kurion CEO Bill Gallo. “With an internationally recognized ISO certification and an American Society of Mechanical Engineers nuclear quality assurance program (NQA-1) in place, Kurion is fully equipped to supply systems and services to waste sites and nuclear facilities around the world.” To receive an ISO 9001 certification, a company must prove it provides products that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
