Environmental assessment of ionization chamber smoke detectors containing Am-241

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is reevaluating the adequacy of existing policy dealing with the distribution of consumer products containing radioactive material. One such consumer product is the ionization chamber smoke detector (ICSD), which in recent years has become widely distributed. The report assesses the impact of ICSD's on people and the environment. An assessment of benefits and risks is made for presently-distributed ICSD's and possible alternatives. The work should prove to be an important source of information for a generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) on consumer products containing radioactive material which will be written in the future. The report covers all topics necessary to arrive at a comprehensive assessment of ionization chamber smoke detectors. First a general overview or background information on ionization chamber smoke detectors and fire detection is given. A discussion of types of ICSD's, possible radionuclides used, regulations and guidelines, distribution, and description of life span activities is included