Applied Physics and Materials Science

Radiation protection

Radiation is naturally present in our environment, it can have either beneficial or harmful effects, depending on its use and control. For that reason, Congress charged the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with protecting people and the environment from unnecessary exposure to radiation as a result of civilian uses of nuclear materials. Toward that end, the NRC requires nuclear power plants; research reactors; and other medical, industrial, and academic licensees to use and store radioactive materials in a way that eliminates unnecessary exposure and protects radiation workers and the public.