I. Introduction This Report is written in support of a petition by the Natural Resources Defense Council Regulatory Commission (MRC) (NRDC) to the Nuclear requesting a reduction in the maximum permissible occupational whole body radiation exposure. The present standards for occupational exposure are based on Still current recommendations.of the National Council on Padiation Pretection and Measurements national Commission (NCRP) and the Inter- cn Radiological Protection in 1958 and 1953, resvectively. (ICRP) adopted The NRDC petition and this Report were promsted by consideration of the Latest information on tne Biological effects of radiation. This infor- mation indicates that the biological effects are greater than was assumed in 1958 and 1959 when the existing standards were recommended. ‘The latest Gata have been reviewed by a committee of the ICRP and by the BEIR Comaittce of the U.S. National Acesgemy of Sciencas (NAS). Tne BEIR Committes was prin- cipvally concerned with the exposure of the general population l/ ICR2 Pudlication bution ofDos2, 2of 2/ Radiosensitivity and Soatial Distri- the Intcrrazional Commissien on Raadiological Protecticn, Pergamon Draoss, on 14, Raports Prepares by Two Task Groups of Conmitties Oxford, 1969, WNAS-BELTR Repose National Acadamy ef Sciences, The Eilocts Parla Soy Remon t OF Pendving voy mo SSVIQSNE to TesLemvelds ot un ary CComit tes bagi urten (lh Pospartk} , on Toanis Rvs tee Bioicareal east vngron, BP. Raduriicn. Mrftects OC. , of Navennes,