Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968

Great Seal of the United States (obverse)

Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-602) is a significant piece of United States legislation that was enacted to protect the public from the hazards of electronic product radiation. This law gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to set performance standards for electronic products to control the emission of radiation, ensuring that such products are safe to use and do not pose a risk to health.

Background

The late 1950s and early 1960s saw a rapid increase in the use of electronic devices that emitted radiation, such as microwave ovens, X-ray machines, and television sets. This proliferation raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with exposure to electronic product radiation. In response, the U.S. Congress passed the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968 to address these concerns and protect the public health.

Provisions

The Act contains several key provisions:

• It requires manufacturers of electronic products that emit radiation to notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the FDA, about their products.
• It mandates the establishment of performance standards for these products to control their radiation emissions.
• It authorizes the FDA to conduct inspections and testing of electronic products to ensure compliance with the established standards.
• It provides for the enforcement of these standards, including the recall of products that do not comply.

Impact

The Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968 has had a profound impact on the regulation of electronic products in the United States. By establishing a framework for the control of radiation emissions, it has helped to minimize the risk of radiation exposure to the public. The Act has also spurred innovation in the design and manufacture of electronic products to meet the safety standards set forth by the FDA.

See Also

• Electronic product radiation
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Public health
• Radiation protection