é of specific radionuclides corresponding to the annual RPG's. In practice, consideration is given to all radionuclides through all pathways to derive total annual exposure for comparison with FRC guides. However, for many situations, a relatively few radionuclides yield the major contribution to total exposure and exposures from others are very small by comparison, PAG's: The term "Protective Action Guide" has been defined as the projected absorbed dose to individuals in the general population which warrants protective action following a contaminating event. In setting these. numberical guides, the FRC was concerned: with a balance between the risk of radiation exposure and the impact on public well-being associated with alterations cf the normal production, processing, distribution and use of food, A protective action is described as an action or measure taken to avoid most of the exposure to radiation that would occur from future ingestion of foods contaminated with radioactive materials. Such actions are appropriate when the health benefits associated with the reduction in exposure to be achieved are sufficien’ to offset the undesirable feature of the protective actions. A basic assumption in the develop- ment of the guidance is that a condition requiring protective action is unusual and should not be expected to occur frequently. The numerical guides are related to three types of actions, (1) as altering production, processing, or distribution practices, (2) diverting affected products to other than human consumption, and (3) condemning Eero geassaes affected foods, There is one additional category involving long-term exposure for which numerical guides are not provided and for whic} need for action is to be determined on a case-by-case basis, ooeeeitSenanon=