D. Medical Radiation Protection Committee

The charge of the Medical Radiation Protection Committee is to ascertain that all experimental or research uses of radioactive materials and/or ionizing radiation in or on human beings conform to the currently accepted radiation protection regulations and practices, and the University of Iowa Radioactive Material License on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health.  The committee reviews studies involving x-ray, use of radioisotopes, and lasers.  This committee also serves as the University of Iowa’s Radioactive Drug Research Committee.  The Medical Radiation Protection Committee has developed a checklist for investigators to use to determine whether a project needs MRPC review.  

It is not a requirement that an investigator have Medical Radiation Protection Committee approval prior to University of Iowa IRB review.  However, if a study requires Medical Radiation Protection Committee review, the Medical Radiation Protection Committee must review the study before the University of Iowa IRB grants final approval.  The University of Iowa IRB allows concurrent review by the University of Iowa IRB and the Medical Radiation Protection Committee and defers release of the study contingent upon receipt and review of Medical Radiation Protection Committee determinations.  

If the Medical Radiation Protection Committee completes their after the University of Iowa IRB review, the University of Iowa IRB Chair reviews any Medical Radiation Protection Committee comments.  If the Chair believes the suggested changes are appropriate and qualify as minor modifications, the University of Iowa IRB Chair reviews these through an expedited process.  If changes exceed minor modifications, the University of Iowa IRB Chair refers the application back to the full board for review prior to final approval.  Protocols that will be sent to Western Institutional Review Board must have prior Medical Radiation Protection Committee approval.  No member of the Medical Radiation Protection Committee may vote on any protocols on which s/he is an investigator or co-investigator.