• Nuclear technologies benefit Americans in many ways, from biomedical research to consumer goods. They are used in medical diagnosis and treatment; in the development of hardy, disease-resistant crops; in locating mineral deposits; and in consumer goods, such as smoke detectors.
• The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and individual states regulate the use and control of radioactive source materials in these technologies. The NRC also regulates nuclear power plants and other commercial nuclear facilities. 
• The industry supports controls of radioactive sources to prevent improper use by unauthorized individuals. Controls should be commensurate with the potential threat posed by a given material if it were used improperly.
• In 2006, a task force mandated by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 released a report concluding that U.S. agencies are protecting the radioactive sources that most need protecting, based on potential attractiveness to terrorists and the extent of the threat to public health and safety.
• The Energy Policy Act of 2005 also mandated the creation of an online system for tracking certain radioactive materials. In 2006, the NRC reaffirmed its commitment to develop the National Source Tracking System to enhance controls for certain classes of radioactive materials. The agency expects to have the system in place in early 2009.

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