Sen. Casey: Tighten controls on radioactive material
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. senator is urging the Obama administration to tighten procedures after a congressional audit found security problems at companies using radioactive material.
In a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said he was troubled that the Government Accountability Office found at least two cases in which employees with criminal histories were granted unescorted access to high-risk radiobiological sources.
The concern is that a terrorist could use stolen material in a so-called dirty bomb. Casey is seeking tighter rules that would disqualify a prospective employee if the person had a conviction for terroristic threats.
NRC spokesman David McIntyre said he couldn’t comment until the agency reviews the letter.
The audit was based on visits to 33 industrial facilities, including some in Pennsylvania.