70.98.050 - State radiation control agency.

State radiation control agency.

(1) The department of health is designated as the state radiation control agency, hereinafter referred to as the agency, and shall be the state agency having sole responsibility for administration of the regulatory, licensing, and radiation control provisions of this chapter.

     (2) The secretary of health shall be director of the agency, hereinafter referred to as the secretary, who shall perform the functions vested in the agency pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

     (3) The agency shall appoint a state radiological control officer, and in accordance with the laws of the state, fix his compensation and prescribe his powers and duties.

     (4) The agency shall for the protection of the occupational and public health and safety:

     (a) Develop programs for evaluation of hazards associated with use of ionizing radiation;

     (b) Develop a statewide radiological baseline beginning with the establishment of a baseline for the Hanford reservation;

     (c) Implement an independent statewide program to monitor ionizing radiation emissions from radiation sources within the state;

     (d) Develop programs with due regard for compatibility with federal programs for regulation of by-product, source, and special nuclear materials;

     (e) Conduct environmental radiation monitoring programs which will determine the presence and significance of radiation in the environment and which will verify the adequacy and accuracy of environmental radiation monitoring programs conducted by the federal government at its installations in Washington and by radioactive materials licensees at their installations;

     (f) Formulate, adopt, promulgate, and repeal codes, rules and regulations relating to control of sources of ionizing radiation;

     (g) Advise, consult, and cooperate with other agencies of the state, the federal government, other states and interstate agencies, political subdivisions, and with groups concerned with control of sources of ionizing radiation;

     (h) Have the authority to accept and administer loans, grants, or other funds or gifts, conditional or otherwise, in furtherance of its functions, from the federal government and from other sources, public or private;

     (i) Encourage, participate in, or conduct studies, investigations, training, research, and demonstrations relating to control of sources of ionizing radiation, including the collection of statistical data and epidemiological research, where available, on diseases that result from exposure to sources of ionizing radiation;

     (j) Collect and disseminate information relating to control of sources of ionizing radiation; including:

     (i) Maintenance of a file of all license applications, issuances, denials, amendments, transfers, renewals, modifications, suspensions, and revocations;

     (ii) Maintenance of a file of registrants possessing sources of ionizing radiation requiring registration under the provisions of this chapter and any administrative or judicial action pertaining thereto; and

     (iii) Maintenance of a file of all rules and regulations relating to regulation of sources of ionizing radiation, pending or promulgated, and proceedings thereon;

     (k) Collect and disseminate information relating to nonionizing radiation, including:

     (i) Maintaining a state clearinghouse of information pertaining to sources and effects of nonionizing radiation with an emphasis on electric and magnetic fields;

     (ii) Maintaining current information on the status and results of studies pertaining to health effects resulting from exposure to nonionizing radiation with an emphasis on studies pertaining to electric and magnetic fields;

     (iii) Serving as the lead state agency on matters pertaining to electric and magnetic fields and periodically informing state agencies of relevant information pertaining to nonionizing radiation;

     (l) In connection with any adjudicative proceeding as defined by RCW 34.05.010 or any other administrative proceedings as provided for in this chapter, have the power to issue subpoenas in order to compel the attendance of necessary witnesses and/or the production of records or documents.

     (5) In order to avoid duplication of efforts, the agency may acquire the data requested under this section from public and private entities that possess this information.

[1990 c 173 § 2; 1989 c 175 § 132; 1985 c 383 § 1; 1985 c 372 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 189 § 10; 1970 ex.s. c 18 § 16; 1965 c 88 § 3; 1961 c 207 § 5.]

Notes: Finding -- 1990 c 173: "The legislature finds that concern has been raised over possible health effects resulting from exposure to nonionizing radiation, and specifically exposure to electric and magnetic fields. The legislature further finds that there is no clear responsibility in state government for following this issue and that this responsibility is best suited for the department of health." [1990 c 173 § 1.]

Effective date -- 1989 c 175: See note following RCW 34.05.010.

Severability -- 1985 c 372: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1985 c 372 § 5.]

Effective date -- Severability -- 1970 ex.s. c 18: See notes following RCW 43.20A.010.