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Welcome from the Director

Welcome to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (MDPH) Radiation Control Program (RCP). The mission of the RCP is to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. We are very excited to be able to provide you with a wide assortment of information about the RCP, our legislative mandates, program organization, program activities, and current projects and issues. Through this Home Page, you will have access to the numerous regulations and statutes promulgated by the RCP in the area of ionizing radiation, information concerning radon, mammography, x-rays, emergency planning, environmental monitoring, radiological technologist licensing, radioactive materials licensing, low-level radioactive waste, and various other radiation issues. You will also have access to licensing guidance documents, advisories and polices of the Program.

As Acting Director of the RCP, I am extremely proud of the activities and accomplishments of our Program and the staff; however, we are always seeking ways to improve in all of our Program areas and welcome any comments or suggestions that you may have concerning our Program. Additionally, we would also be interested in any comments about the information that is provided on this Home Page. Please contact us through our email address at RadiationControl@massmail.state.ma.us, or by writing or calling our office at Radiation Control Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 529 Main Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, 617-242-3035.

Bob Gallaghar
Acting Director

Mission Statement

As the Massachusetts agency having exclusive authority and responsibility in the Commonwealth for protecting people from the harmful aspects of radiation, we meet this mission by implementing and enforcing regulations for the licensing, registration and inspection of radiation sources and their users; and, by maintaining technical expertise and assets for responding to the unique characteristics of radiological incidents in the Commonwealth.

Goals:

  • To reduce the likelihood that any person will receive a radiation dose that exceeds any limit specified in the Massachusetts Regulations for the Control of Radiation;
  • To prevent avoidable impacts to people and the environment from inadvertent or deliberate acts that involve any source or sources of radiation; and,
  • To assist in the assessment and mitigation of unacceptable health risks caused by radon in buildings located in the Commonwealth.

Objectives:

  • Administer the Massachusetts Regulations for the Control of Radiation, and related regulations, through comprehensive programs for developing and enforcing regulations that are compatible or consistent with federal regulations for protecting people and the environment from radiation;
  • Raise awareness on the Radiation Control Program's specialized assets as a strategic resource on radiation related matters;
  • Provide for excellence in regulatory and emergency response activities by maintaining principles of transparency, inclusiveness, efficiency, and integrity;
  • Maintain sufficient Nuclear Incident Advisory Team personnel and resources for working effectively within the National Incident Management System/Incident Command System in coordinating local, state and federal technical activities needed in a nuclear/radiological emergency;
  • Perform environmental monitoring and assessments required by law for nuclear power plants located in Massachusetts, or sited within10 miles from its borders;
  • Use current US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines to assist homeowners and municipalities in mitigating and avoiding health risks from radon, and engage the public on raising awareness about the health risks of radon.

News and Updates

Quick Links

Radiation Control Topics

This information is provided by the Radiation Control Program within the Department of Public Health.