Radiological Health is responsible to assess, control and prevent exposure to radiation from both natural and man-made radioactive materials in NH.  Radiological Health functions to protect public health and safety, occupationally exposed persons, and the environment from unnecessary exposure to sources of radiation.

Radiological Health has two primary focus areas: 

• regulation of radioactive materials and X-ray machines
• radiological emergency response

Under an Agreement with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Radiological Health licenses all uses of radioactive material in NH and registers all radiation producing machines (x-ray) being used in NH.  These licensees and registrants are inspected for compliance under the NH Rules for Control of Radiation. 

Radiological Health responds to accidents and incidents involving radiation sources.  A Radiological Emergency Response Team is available to respond to any accident situation having to do with Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, Seabrook Station or Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and will assist with any transportation accident or local incident involving radiation.  In addition, Radiological Health performs continuous environmental monitoring around Vermont Yankee and Seabrook Station nuclear power plants and provides an ambient surveillance program for evaluation of local environmental radiation levels.  Radiological Health's radiochemistry laboratory collects environmental and regulatory samples for analyses and reporting.