~A2- __ , . In 1949, tne maximum permissible dose for radiation was lowered to 0.3 roentgen per week. It was lowered again in 1957 to 5 rem/yr as the permissible dose for radiation workers. This standard is still in effect. The AEC has also played a significant role in setting radiation standards. However, the AEC'ts regulatory authority . over materials was, and still is, limited by the Atomic Eneray “Act of 1954, as amended, to source, by-product, and special Nuclear material. Before the Federal Radiation Council . (FRC) was formed, the AEC, when setting radiation standards, generally followed closely the recommendations of the NCRP, -Which in turn paralleled the ICRP recommendations. __ In 1959, after the advent of the atomic age had aroused “public fears over fallout from nuclear weapons, the U. S. . government, because of uncertainty of government influence -~Over radiation protect ion standarcs, organized the FRC. "it Was authorized by Congress to "...advise the President with respect to radiation matters directly or indirectly affecting health, including cquidance for all federai agencies _in the formulation of radiation standards and in establishment ‘and execution of programs in cooperation with the states..."¢ ‘The. final authority with respect to radiation standards rested mot with the FRC but with the President. Such a subordinate Throughout the 1950's the ICRP and NCRP continued to revise and refine tne basic recommendations concerning permissible radiation exposure standards. Standards were recommended for some non-occupstional groups and for the whele population. mm water were recommended as secondary standards. Most of these recommendations were incorporatcd by the FRC and the AEC. oO A Maximum permissible body burdens and maximum permissible concentrations of racicnuclides in the air and in fi tactl " fv os -agency as the AEC, for exampic, had to make its rules, e.g., those governing licensed reactors, compatible with the overall guides developed by the FRC. In 1970 the FRC was abolished and its duties were transtferre: to the EPA. Since that time, the setting of population —exposure standards has resided in EPA. Population standards of Radiation Provect Washington, D. C., + o Y x oO ty tg saterial for the Develormont Severnment Printing c.-.cc, LC FRC Report No. ~~ 2/7 cr aad ies may 1l2, ivte, x. l.