Summary: House bill 6745 consolidates in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the major Federal Government responsibilities with respect to ionizing radiation and making comparisons of the risks and effects of radiation from nuclear and nonnuclear sources. In order to better protect the public and the environment from radiation hazards, the Federal Government, States, and industry should provide more assertive leadership and direction. The objectives of H.R. 6745 are sound, but its coverage should be broadened to include the nonionization radiation area as well as the ionizing radiation area. Despite the need for a coordinated Federal research program in this area, all Federal radiation research activities should not be consolidated in EPA or any single agency because of the diverse aspects of radiation control that these activities encompass. Organizations such as the Radiation Policy Council and the Interagency Radiation Research Committee, established by the President to oversee radiation control functions, should be established by legislation. In the past, agencies have more effectively asserted program authority when established by specific legislation rather than by Executive Order. Comments were also provided on specific sections of H.R. 6745.
