ane
cancer.
The existence of potential hazards de-
mands consideration of countermeasures. In
relation to this question, the National Advisory Committee on Radiation (NACOR)
has advised the avoidance of independent
countermeasure action.*"* “Not infrequently,
such action involves the use of counter-
measures which are associated with risks approaching or exceeding those of the con-
taminant. Often such action is ineffective in
reaching the objective sought. To avoid these
and similar problems, recommendations on
countermeasures must be promulgated from
a single authority, acting after full evalua-
tion of the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of the measures to be taken.”144
RADIATION PROTECTION
STANDARDS
Among the recommendations formulated
for protection from exposure, particularly
occupational, to ionizing radiation are those
from three qualified bodies: International
Commission on Radiological Protection
(ICRP), National Committee on Radiation
Protection (NCRP), and the Federal Radiation Council (FRC). Each group includes
recognized authorities in radiation and in
health physics.1°142-445 Although varied
interpretation of the intent and limitations of
the recommendations can occur,!°%10% 145: 146
these practical and reasonable limits to minimize the hazards of exposure to radiation
serve as useful guides.
The International Commission on Radia-
tion Protection (ICRP) was established in
1928 by the Second International Congress
of Radiology.1*#* Its latest recommendations,
revised in 1962, were published in 1964.14?
* {
dl
1
The ICRP has introduced the term “permissible dose” which for an individual has
been defined as “that dose, accumulated
Ud Zod |
Gonads
Short-lived nuclides
Cesium-137
Carbon-14
21
42
13
Total
76
Cells lining bone
‘Short-lived nuclides
Cesium-137
Strontium-90
Carbon-14
,
Total
21
eRe ag aNag5 OF mee earner
result of fallout radiation is 0 to 1/100,000
for leukemia and 0 to 1/300,000 for bone
Dose commitment
(mrad)
'
of any individual developing cancer as the
Source of radiation
42
174
20
257
Bone marrow
Short-lived nuclides
Cesium-137
Strontium-90
Carbon-14
Total
21
42
87
13
163
over a long period of time or resulting from
a single exposure, which, in the light of
present knowledge, carries a negligible probability of severe somatic or genetic injuries.”’"*7
The maximum permissible dose (MPD)
for any individual not occupationally exposed has been set at 0.5 rem per year to the
gonads and the blood-forming organs,"*? in
addition to natural background plus the
lowest practicable contribution from medical
exposure. It was suggested that the maximum permissible genetic dose to the whole
population should not exceed 5 rems to age
30 years. ICRP has also recommended values
for maximum permissible body burden of
more than 250 radionuclides, and maximal
permissible concentrations (MPC) of these
nuclides in air, food, and water.’#
The National Committee on Radiation
Protection (NCRP) was set up in 1929
through the collaborative efforts of the
American Roentgen Ray Society and the
Radiological Society of North America.’°*
142, 149 The NCRPhas adopted the “maximal
permissible dose (MPD) rate” of 0.1 r per
day for the general population.
The Federal Radiation Council (FRC)
was set up by Executive order in 1959 to
te oe el te afew et
On the basis of these calculations, the risk
explosions, 1954-1962°"
Oe,
for leukemia and 0 to 700 for bone cancer.
Table I. Dose commitment from nuclear
A het
tributable to fallout radiation are 0 to 2,000
~The oe
additional numbers of cases that will be at-
667
re ee eeRe
Effects of ionizing radiation
Folume 67 *Number +