C. National Counctt on Radiation Protection and ‘feasurenents® (CICcnP) The HCRP position is that the rational use of radiation should conforna to levels of safety to users and the public which are at least as stringent as those achieved for other powerful agents. Continuing and chronic exposure attributable to peaceful uses of ionizing radiation are assumed. The NCRP has adopted the assumption of no-threshold dose-effects “relationship and uses the term "dose limits" in providing guidance oa population exposures. practicable. All radiation exposures are to be kept as low as The numerical values of exposure as presented are to be interpreted as recommendations, not regulations. Use of the no-threshold concept involves the thesis that there is no exnosure limit free fron some depree of risk. To establish criteria, ICRP uses the concept of "acceptable risk" (where the risk is conpensated by a demonstrable benefit) broken dowm to fit classes of individuals or population groups exposed for various purposcs to differcnt quantities of radiation. ‘umerical recommendations fer dose limits are necessarily arbitrary because of their mixed technical valuejudgment foundation. The dose limits for individual members of the public and for the average population recommended by NCRP represent a level of risk considered to be so small compared with other hazards of life, and *Formerly known as the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurenents. =1i-O7