Final Revision to the EPA PAG Manual

PAG.pdf

On December 8, 2016 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice of document availability (81 FR 88679) concerning a final revision of the PAG Manual: Protective Action guides and Planning Guidance for Radiological Incidents (``PAG Manual'' hereafter) .  As part of its mission to protect human health and the environment, the EPA publishes protective action guides to help federal, state, local and tribal emergency response officials make radiation protection decisions during emergencies. The EPA, in coordination with a multi-agency working group within the Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee (FRPCC), has made final updates to the 1992 Manual of Protective Action Guides and Protective Actions for Nuclear Incidents, referred to as ``The 1992 PAG Manual'' (EPA 400-R-92-001, May 1992).  The updated guidance in the revised PAG Manual applies the protective action guides (PAGs) to incidents other than nuclear power plant accidents, updates the radiation dosimetry and dose calculations based on current science and incorporates late phase guidance. The final revisions incorporate input from public comments received in 2013 and include clarifications based on those comments. The Agency plans to finalize drinking water guidance after incorporating public comments on a proposal published in June 2016. The intention is to add it as a section in the Intermediate Phase chapter of the PAG Manual and reissue the PAG Manual once complete. The final revision of the PAG Manual is now available at www.regulations.gov.