C -5- ( total annual exposure for comparison with FRC guides. However, for many practical situations a relatively few radionuclides yield the major contribution to total exposure; by comparison exposures from others are very small. PAG: 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. these In setting numerical guides the FRC was concerned with a balance between the risk of radiation exposure and the impact on public well-being associated with alterations of 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. An action is appropriate when the health benefits associated with the reduction in exposure to be achieved are sufficient to offset undesirable features of the protective action. | An event requiring protective action should not be expected to occur frequently. The numerical guides are related to three types of actions, (1) altering production, processing, or distribution practices, (2) divert- ing affected products to other than human consumption, and (3) condemning affected foods. An additional category involves long-term, low level exposure for which numerical guides are not provided; the need for action is determined on a case-by-case basis. The FRC identifies the critical segment of the population for which dose projections are to be made for comparison with the guides. For