DOBARCHIVES | ~ Bo ed -2- f ERE/2/10/2 THE PROBLEM 1. To approve initiation of a review by the FRC of its basic radiation protection guidance. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 2. As shown by attachment A, Mr. Finch as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and as Chairman of the FRC, has recommended that the Council institute a careful review and evaluation of the relevant scientific information that is now available for estimating the risks associated with low levels of environmental radiation. This would serve as a basis for review of FRC guidelines in the light of present and projected radiation levels in the foreseeable future. 3. FRC report 1, which established the basic philosophy of radiation protection, was issued in 1960 and reflects the knowledge and thinking as it existed at the end of the 1950 decade. FRC report 2 dealt with radioactive contamination of the environment from iodine 131, strontium 89, strontium 90, and radium 226. This report also reflected the state of knowledge and thinking at the end of the 1950 decade. 4. From 1962 to 1965 the FRC was preoccupied with problems associated with radioactive fallout from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. These activities resulted in the preparation and issuance of FRC reports 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.