-15- B. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements* (NCRP) The NCRP was chartered by Congress in 1964 to collect, analyze, develop, and disseminate information and recommendations about protection against radiation, radiation protection measurements and units, and to provide a meins for cooperation between organizations concerned with radiation protection. The NCRP position is that the rational use of radiation should con- form 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 relationdbad uses the yorm "dose limits" in providing guidance on population exposures Radiation exposure #5, Co be kept as low as practicable. 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 exposure limit free from some degree of risk. To establish criteria, NCRP uses the concept of "acceptable risk" (where the risk is compensated by a demonstrable benefit) broken down to fit classes of individuals or population groups exposed for various purposes to different quantities of radiation. Numerical *This was formerly the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurements. : ots BSae aa ak ee et Pa wee IM eh avert gee feo!