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You are Here: Home Page > Health and Safety in the Home, Workplace and Outdoors > Radiological Health / Radon  

Radiological Health / Radon

• Regulations and Information Notices

  Part 16 and Part 89 of the State Sanitary Code, Article 35 and chronological list of Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection Information Notices sent to facilities are available for download and printing.

• Radon

  Radon is a gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It occurs naturally in the earth, but can become a problem when it builds up indoors. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The radon program provides information on health risks from radon, testing for radon and mitigation of elevated levels of radon. Low cost test kits are available for citizens of New York State.

• Radiation Producing Equipment (X-ray machine) Registration

  Ionizing radiation (x-ray) producing equipment used in the healing arts or in educational institutions must be registered with the appropriate agency. X-ray facilities operating in New York City must register with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Office of Radiological Health (ORH). Registration information can be obtained from ORH by calling 212-676-1580. X-ray facilities operating outside of New York City must register with the New York State Department of Health's Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection (BERP). Registration information can be obtained from BERP by calling 518-402-7570. The owner/operator of the x-ray equipment is solely responsible for the registration of their x-ray equipment. The forms filed by the installer of the x-ray system do not ensure that your x-ray equipment will be properly registered. Information about the inspection of your x-ray equipment can also be obtained from the phone numbers listed above.

• Radioactive Materials Licensing

  New York State is one of 37 states that have agreements with the federal government under the Atomic Energy act (AEA). Agreement States regulate all sources of radiation in the State, except reactors, federal facilities and large quantities of special nuclear material which are regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Department of Labor's radioactive materials program was merged with the Department of Health's program in 2006. The Radioactive Materials Licensing program of the Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection is responsible for licensing and inspecting approximately 1300 radioactive materials licensees including commercial, medical, academic and government facilities.

• Radiologic Technology

  Effective January 1, 2010, Radiologic Technologists must meet continuting education requirements listed in Part 89.

  In the medical arts, ionizing radiation used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes must be applied by a professional practitioner working within the scope of his/her State Education Department license or by a radiologic technologist working under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Radiologic technologists must be licensed by and registered with the New York State Department of Health's Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection (BERP). Effective July 2007, nuclear medicine technology will be included in the practice of radiologic technology along with radiography and radiation therapy. By January 1, 2009 anyone practicing nuclear medicine technology in New York must be licensed to do so. Radiologic technologists with proper training can apply to BERP for certification to inject contrast media during radiological procedures. Applications for injection certification can be obtained by contacting BERP at 518-402-7580.

• Radiological Emergency Information

  The NYS Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection (BERP) is the lead state responder for radiological emergencies. In addition to responding to radiological emergencies, BERP staff writes procedures for radiological emergency response, participates in drills and exercises, provide radiological emergency response training to interested organizations, and assist other agencies with planning and emergency response.

• Contact Information and Additional Resources
  • NYS Department of Health Contact Information
  • Additional Resources