Radiation Protection

The photographs to the left and right are the internationally recognized symbols for Radioactive Materials / Radiation Areas.  If you should see these signs, it is an indication that anyone not properly equipped to handle radioactive material, or who is not a radiation worker, should avoid the
area around the signs.

What's New

1) The proposed revision to HFS 157 became effective on November 1, 2006. Annual x-ray registration fees were increased in this revision, as follows:

• Dental sites $50/site and $35/tube
• All others $50/site and $50/tube

A link to the revised HFS 157 is available at the bottom of this page under 'Statutes and Rules'.

2) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Governor Doyle have approved an agreement transferring regulatory authority over byproduct, source and special nuclear materials to the State of Wisconsin.  Wisconsin became the 33rd agreement state on August 11, 2003.  Under the agreement, the Department of Health Services (DHS) is responsible for licensing and inspecting radioactive materials commonly used in medicine, industry, research and education.  The new state licensing requirement also applies to naturally occurring and accelerator produced radioactive material (NARM).

See Radioactive Materials Program for addition information.

3) Three new regulatory guides have been developed to assist medical, chiropractic and veterinary facilities in complying with the x-ray device requirements in Chapter HFS 157, WI Administrative Code.

See the X-ray link for additional information.

Radiation Protection activities in the following areas are designed to minimize radiation exposure to the general public.

Environmental Monitoring  

The State of Wisconsin monitors the environment for radiation emission in the areas around the five nuclear power facilities impacting Wisconsin.  

Incident Response and Advisory Assistance

DHS staff respond to incidents involving radioactive materials not of nuclear power plant origin and provide advisory assistance on radiation issues. Contact: Cheryl Rogers at 608-266-8135.  (Sample Radioactive Emergency Posting Sign.)

Radioactive Materials

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Governor Doyle have approved an agreement transferring regulatory authority over byproduct, source and special nuclear materials to the State of Wisconsin.  Wisconsin will become the 33rd agreement state effective August 11th, 2003.  (See Agreement State Question and Answer sheet).  (See Who regulates on the NRC web site for a description of agreement states). 
As an agreement state, the Department will be responsible for licensing and inspecting the above named materials, except at nuclear plants and federal facilities.    Radioactive materials are commonly used for medical diagnosis and treatment, industrial processes, research and education.  Contact: Cheryl Rogers: 608-266-8135.

Radiological Emergency Preparedness

A Radiological Incident Response Plan has been developed to handle all radioactive emergencies at nuclear power plants in or near Wisconsin. Activities include: developing and conducting training for state, local and utility emergency responders; procedure development; exercise scenario development; and participation in scheduled nuclear plant emergency preparedness exercises evaluated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).   Contact: Dan Stefenel: 608-266-0468.  

Radon

The State of Wisconsin supports a variety of radon activities, including research, education and a statewide network of Radon Information Centers (RIC).  The RICs provide information and advisory assistance to the public regarding radioactive radon gas.  Contact: Conrad Weiffenbach at 608-267-4796.

X-ray & Tanning equipment / Mammography facilities Inspection

The State of Wisconsin works to minimize the public's unnecessary exposure to radiation by inspecting and registering all x-ray and tanning devices for compliance to state radiation protection regulations. Mammography facilities are inspected for compliance with federal regulations.  Contact : William Balke, Supervisor at 608-267-4787.

Statutes and Rules

Regulatory and fee authority is provided by Sections 254.31 – 254.45, and 255.08 (PDF, 17 kb), Wisconsin Statutes. Rules are specified in Chapter  HFS 157, WI Administrative Code (PDF, 717 kb).  HFS 157 Appendices are Listed here  in unofficial PDF versions:  A (PDF, 14 kb), B (PDF, 12 kb), C (PDF, 8 kb), D (PDF, 10 kb), E (PDF, 171 kb), F (PDF, 24 kb), G (PDF, 10 kb), H (PDF, 17 kb), I (PDF, 12 kb), J (PDF, 4 kb), K (PDF, 20 kb), M (PDF, 5 kb), N (PDF, 4 kb), O (PDF, 74 kb), P (PDF, 9 kb), Q (PDF, 7 kb), R (PDF, 10 kb), S (PDF, 6 kb).

Radiation Links for the Public

For more information, contact:

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Last Revised:  June 24, 2008