(a) The commissioner is authorized and empowered to create and maintain within the department a section to be known as the radiological health service. The functions of this service include:
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 68-202-203
Commissioner: means the commissioner of environment and conservation or the commissioner's designated representative. See Tennessee Code 68-202-202
Radiation: includes all ionizing electromagnetic waves and corpuscular emissions such as, but not necessarily limited to, gamma rays and X-rays. See Tennessee Code 68-202-202
(1) The collection of information pertaining to radiological health and the dissemination of such to persons or groups of persons interested in radiation;(2) The encouragement, participation in, and the conducting of studies, training, research and demonstrations relating to the control of radiation hazards; the study of the effects on health of exposure to radiation and related problems as it may deem necessary or advisable for the discharge of its duties under this part;(3) The application of controls and regulations with respect to radiological safety to protect the health and well-being of people in the state;(4) The requirement of reporting of unexpected or otherwise unplanned incidents of excessive exposure as the rules and regulations may direct, and to take such immediate steps as may be necessary to cope with the resultant hazards; and(5) The measurement of radiation and the monitoring and surveillance of the environment for radioactive materials.(b) Nothing in this part or in rules promulgated pursuant hereto shall be construed to limit the kind or amount of radiation that may be intentionally applied to an individual for purposes of medical diagnosis or therapy, by or under the direction of duly licensed members of the healing arts, when practicing within the limits of their respective callings as fixed by law, but only if such users are registered under § 68-202-208 or licensed as provided for by § 68-202-206.
