division of radiation safety and environmental management (DRSEM)

The Division of Radiation Safety and Environmental Management (DRSEM) protects and improves the health of all California residents through its environmental programs including radiation safety, inspection, laboratory testing, and regulatory activities. DRSEM is comprised of the Radiologic Health Branch, the Environmental Management Branch, and the Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory Branch.

Division of Radiation Safety and Environmental Management Organizational Chart (PDF)

Radiologic Health Branch
The Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) enforces the laws and regulations designed to protect the public, radiation workers, and the environment. RHB is responsible for providing public health functions associated with administering a radiation control program. This includes licensing of radioactive materials, registration of X-ray producing machines, certification of medical and industrial X-ray and radioactive material users, inspection of facilities using radiation, investigation of radiation incidents, and surveillance of radioactive contamination in the environment.
Environmental Management Branch
The Environmental Management Branch (EMB) regulates the medical waste industry, pre-harvest commercial shellfish operations, and recreational health (public swimming pools, ocean beaches and organized camps); provides sanitary surveillance of state institutions; administers the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) program; oversees radiological cleanup at military base closure facilities, coordinates the State's Indoor Radon Program, the Medical Waste Management Program and CDPH's Nuclear Emergency Response Program.

Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory Branch

The Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory Branch (DWRLB) is the State’s primary drinking water quality testing laboratory and is the state laboratory capable of measuring chemical, microbiological, and radiochemical contaminants in drinking water and drinking water supplies. DWRLB is also the only State laboratory capable of measuring environmental radiation and radionuclides. Its primary mission is to provide analytical services, reference measurements, and technical support for RHB, EMB, and for the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water.