Which organization is responsible for setting guidelines for radiation safety?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is critical in setting guidelines for radiation safety because it develops and maintains measurement standards, including radiation measurements. NIST’s role is essential in establishing the scientific foundation for radiation safety protocols by ensuring accurate measurements and standards, which the medical and industrial professionals rely upon to ensure safe practices. Their guidelines help in calibration and standardization of measuring radiation exposure, contributing to the overall safety of radiation use.

In the context of other organizations, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates medical devices and ensures they are safe and effective, it does not specialize specifically in setting radiation safety guidelines. The American College of Radiology (ACR) provides practice parameters and quality assurance standards for imaging but does not set the broad radiation safety guidelines like NIST. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) focuses on workplace safety regulations, which includes some aspects of radiation safety, but it does not have the specific mandate to establish radiation safety guidelines akin to that of NIST.