hrla: Radiation Protection Division

The mission of the Radiation Protection Division is to enhance public health, safety, and environmental quality in the District of Columbia through the establishment, implementation, and enforcement of measures and standards that protect individuals and their environment from the potentially harmful effects of radiation.

General Information

The Radiation Protection Division is responsible for protection of District of Columbia residents from potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

Radiation is part of everyday life in the District of Columbia. X-ray machines or radioactive materials are used to produce diagnostic pictures of patients for physicians, dentists and other medical practitioners. X-ray machines and radioactive materials are also used at public and private laboratories for a variety of industrial, engineering, and commercial applications. Radioactive materials are even used in some household products, such as smoke detectors.

While the residents of the District of Columbia receive many benefits from its use, radiation can also harm humans if uncontrolled or used improperly. The Radiation Protection Division staff work to ensure that radiation and radioactive materials are properly used and controlled in the District of Columbia, so that residents receive the benefit of radiation without unnecessary risk.

Select the following link for more information on the Radiation Protection Division.