E-M:/ MDEQ Division Audit

["Alex J. Sagady & Associates" <ajs@sagady.com>]

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Enviro-Mich message from "Alex J. Sagady & Associates" <ajs@sagady.com>
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Michigan Office of the
Auditor General
Thomas H. McTavish, C.P.A.
Auditor General

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EXECUTIVE DIGEST #7612500
RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

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INTRODUCTION
This report, issued in July 2001, contains the results of our performance 
audit of the Radiological Protection and Environmental Health Programs, 
Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division (DWRPD), Department of 
Environmental Quality (DEQ).

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AUDIT PURPOSE
This performance audit was conducted as part of the constitutional 
responsibility of the Office of the Auditor General. Performance audits are 
conducted on a priority basis related to the potential for improving 
effectiveness and efficiency.

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BACKGROUND
This audit addresses three programs within DWRPD.

The Radiological Protection Section monitors radioactive material sources 
to protect patients, employees, and the public from unnecessary exposure to 
ionizing radiation. DWRPD expended approximately $1.4 million and employed 
15 staff to operate the Radiological Protection Section in the fiscal year 
ended September 30, 2000.

The Medical Waste Regulatory Program registers certain producers of medical 
waste and regulates the handling and disposal of medical waste. DWRPD 
collected approximately $246,600 from registered producers of medical 
waste, expended approximately $189,700, and employed 2 staff in the fiscal 
year ended September 30, 2000.

The Dry Cleaning Program licenses, inspects, and regulates dry cleaning 
establishments to protect workers, the public, and the environment from 
overexposure to dry cleaning chemicals. DWRPD collected approximately 
$320,000 from approximately 1,120 dry cleaning establishments, expended 
approximately $228,800 to implement this regulatory program, and employed 5 
staff in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000.

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AUDIT OBJECTIVE, CONCLUSION, AND NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Audit Objective: To assess DWRPD's effectiveness in protecting the public 
through the regulation of users of radioactive materials, producers of 
medical waste, and operators of dry cleaning establishments.

Conclusion: We concluded that DWRPD was generally effective in protecting 
the public through the regulation of users of radioactive materials, 
producers of medical waste, and operators of dry cleaning establishments. 
However, our assessment disclosed reportable conditions related to 
inspection of registered users of radioactive materials, the Indoor Radon 
Program, the Medical Waste Regulatory Program, and inspection of dry 
cleaning establishments (Findings 1 through 4).

Noteworthy Accomplishments: DWRPD revised radiological assessment 
procedures to address nuclear power reactor accidents to improve emergency 
preparedness. These changes, which focus on delivering prompt and prudent 
public protection, were positively recognized by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency in July 2000.

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AUDIT SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
Our audit scope was to examine the program and other records of the 
Radiological Protection Section and the Environmental Health Section of the 
Drinking Water and Radiological Protection Division, Department of 
Environmental Quality. Our audit was conducted in accordance with 
Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the 
United States and, accordingly, included such tests of the records and such 
other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

We examined DWRPD records and activities for the period October 1, 1997 
through September 30, 2000.

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AGENCY RESPONSES AND PRIOR AUDIT FOLLOW-UP
Our audit report contains 4 findings and 4 corresponding recommendations. 
The agency preliminary response indicates that DEQ agrees with 2 
recommendations and that DEQ does not agree with 2 recommendations. The 
agency preliminary response also indicates that DEQ did not agree with part 
of Finding 4.

DWRPD complied with the one prior audit recommendation that was included 
within the scope of our current audit.

  <http://www.state.mi.us/audgen/comprpt/docs/r7612500.pdf>Full Audit 
Report - #7612500 - RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS


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This page was created on July 5, 2001.


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Alex J. Sagady & Associates        Email:  ajs@sagady.com

Environmental Enforcement, Permits/Technical Review, Public Policy and
Communications on Air, Water and Waste Issues
and Community Environmental Protection

PO Box 39  East Lansing, MI  48826-0039
(517) 332-6971 (voice); (517) 332-8987 (fax)
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