ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

Which government agency regulates the transportation of Type A radioactive containers?

1. EPA

2. NRC

3. DOT

4. FDA

The correct answer is: DOT

The correct answer is the Department of Transportation (DOT) because this agency is responsible for setting and enforcing regulations regarding the safe transportation of hazardous materials, including radioactive materials classified as Type A containers. Type A containers refer to packaging designed to transport small quantities of radioactive material that pose a low risk during transport. The DOT establishes guidelines and standards to ensure that such materials are packaged, labeled, and handled in a way that minimizes risks to public safety and the environment during transit. Other agencies mentioned, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have their specific regulatory scopes but do not specifically regulate the transportation of radioactive materials. The EPA focuses on environmental safety, the NRC oversees the use of radioactive materials in nuclear facilities and by licensed users, while the FDA primarily deals with food safety and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, while these agencies play critical roles in radiation safety, it is the DOT that handles the transportation regulations for Type A radioactive containers.