7 ea. Introcuvttian — © This report is written in support of a petition by -escurces (AEC) requesting (EPA) , 1) Tovneil to the Frnvironmentecl and the Atomic Energy Commission ava tucticn ik of ~, Protection Agency -ertons? c Lhe Natursl the existing rediation protection standards applicable to the internal exposure of man to insoluble alscha-emitting hot particles and establishment, with respect to such materials, (2) the of standards governing the maximum permissible concentrations in air and maximum permissible surface contamination levels in unrestricted areas. Before proposing modifications to existing radiation 1 ated to plutonium exnosure”, we ction stancaras (D prt re }- all review in the following section the gravity of the public health concern as plutonium becomes a principal article of commerce in the nuciear power industry. s. éf . P 1/ While much of this report focuses narrowly on plutonium-239, the discussion is, nevertheless, germaine to all radionuclides in insoluble particles with a high specific activity. (The definition of specific activity and other technical terms in this report are given in the Glossary). The- justification for focusing on plutonium has been aptly stated by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP): "the emphasis on plutonium is clearly a reflection of the gener- al consensus that, in terms of amount available, projected usage, extent of anticipated accidental human exposure, and radiotoxicity, plutonium is the most formidable radionuclide in the periodic table." [ICRP Publication 19, "The Metabolism of Compounds of Plutonium and Other Actnides," Pergamon Press, 1972, p.l.] "Sy + "eat ge 1 Eee a. > :to. : eo - tte TL te . ' , ‘ ‘ . . tty ewe oe, ree os . we ‘mun . ©. come i 8 oP ey 8 eee. ae e ete Webs ats grey ‘ 1s Cer Pe gn a ie a eR ORE Tae ey wade a! ebay fee Tkey ap typ Oe wie, a ne HE mh ic Swett a BS eat med te Do OB J ge ae vot / ?