History
New York City has maintained a radiation control program since the mid-1950's and formal regulations controlling the use of ionizing radiation were in place in 1958. New York State became an Agreement State, in which the then Atomic Energy Commission relinquished its authority to regulate byproduct radioactive materials (with the exception of special nuclear materials in quantities sufficient to form a critical mass), in 1962. October 15, 1994 marked the 32nd anniversary of New York's Agreement State status.
From the inception of radiation control in New York State, the City has always maintained its own program. This is a unique situation in this country and the Department's program is among the country's tenth largest. All other radiation control programs are administered solely at the state level, although counties may be delegated or contracted for certain responsibilities.
For more information call 311 or Poison Control at 212-340-4494.
