Regulatory controls over the medical use of radioisotopes

The medical uses of radioisotopes involve two broad areas: clinical nuclear medicine and biomedical research using radioisotopes. Clinical nuclear medicine includes both diagnosis and treatment of disease, while biomedical research includes the study of normal body functions and disease processes using radioisotopes. This paper discusses the use of radioisotopes in the practice of medicine, lists the areas of concern associated with that usage, and outlines the many regulatory controls that have been established to deal with some of the concerns. This material was originally prepared and distributed as a "background paper" for 1977 meetings between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff, the public, and NRC's Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes Concerning NRC's future policy for the regulation of the medical uses of radioisotopes. Information is included on how to obtain Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations along with a listing of NRC's Washington and regional offices.