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PAC 3:  Nuclear and Radiological Security and Safety 

The new Program Area Committee (PAC) 3 will provide guidance and recommendations for response to nuclear and radiological incidents of both an accidental and deliberate nature. The major elements of reports under the oversight of PAC 3 include: (1) identify important steps to be taken in the interdiction of, preparedness for, and effective responses to possible acts of nuclear and radiological terrorism; (2) define performance requirements, instrumentation, and testing criteria for security surveillance systems; (3) develop operational strategies and optimization procedures for early, intermediate and late-phase responses to a nuclear or radiological incident; and (4) recommend effective methods for protecting against, mitigating, and treating traumatic injuries and long-term health and psychological effects of radiation exposure.

Members of PAC 3 were appointed during the fourth quarter of 2007. The first meeting of the Committee was held on April 16, 2008 in conjunction with the NCRP Annual Meeting.

A major proposal was submitted in January 2009 to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency for studies by NCRP on health protection issues related to the development of new radiation-based technologies for detection and interdiction of special nuclear materials and other radiological materials that could represent a terrorism threat to the nation. NCRP was awarded a 5 y contract for the preparation of two commentaries and four reports related to these standoff active detection technologies. The four reports on dosimetry and health protection of operators, bystanders and others in the inspected areas for four of the candidate active detection technologies will be under the joint oversight of PAC 3 and PAC 6. The two commentaries will provide an overview of the radiation protection issues related to the use of ionizing radiation screening systems for the detection at standoff distances of special nuclear materials and other radiological materials that could be of potential use in acts of terrorism, and their preparation is under the oversight of PAC 1 (Commentaries No. 21 and No. 22 discussed above). A third task consists of two components: (1) the appointment of an Expert Panel to evaluate and prepare a letter report on the maturity of High-Energy X-Ray Photofission ADT systems, and (2) preparation of a commentary that will evaluate in depth the operation of an X-Ray Bremsstrahlung ADT system and the necessary safety and health protection aspects of the system. This third task has been put on hold by DTRA while a prototype ADT system is developed and tested by a DTRA contractor..

The Committee met on March 9, 2011 in conjunction with the NCRP Annual Meeting. The PAC members reviewed the basic charge and responsibilities of the PAC as posted on the NCRP website and discussed how the PAC should proceed. This led to an extended discussion of potential areas of funding of PAC 3 activities and the generation of white papers to outline and justify the needs.

The membership of PAC 3 is: J.W. Poston, Sr., Vice President D. McBaugh, Vice Chair S.M. Becker      B. Buddemeier S. Musolino T.C. Pellmar T.P. Taylor L.A. Braby, Liaison to PAC 6 J.T. Bushberg, Liaison to PAC 4 J.A. Lipoti, Liaison to PAC 5 J.K. Timins, Liaison to PAC 1 T.S. Tenforde, NCRP Contact

Meetings: March 9, 2011 >

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