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Question 13
Do you or your colleagues have any reason to think that, due to accumulation
and reconcentration in the foodchain, the "acceptasle" limits (RPG's ):
may have been exceeded in the past?
may presently be exceeded in some places?
will bd exbeeded in the future if the use of
nuclear energy increases without any new controls
over the totality of waste released into the
environment?
Answer 13
.
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The Radiation Protection Guides of the Federal Radiation Councti present
the significant factors relating potential radiation risk to man.
these factors sre:
Some of
if
a
critical segments of the population, critical radio-
nuclides (such as the long-lived nuclides strontium-90, cesium-137, earton-I4
and tritium and the short-lived radioiodines); ecology; total quantity of ,
radionuclide involved; food chains, and consideration of the actual or potential concentrations of radioactive materials in air, water or food.
Thus
reconcentration in food chains is considered in applying FRC guidance.
There is no evidence that the Radiation Protection Guides have been
exceeded in the past from peacetime uses of nuclear energy nor do we: believe
that they will be exceeded in the foreseeable future due to accumulation
and reconcentration of radionuclides in the food chain.
There is evidence
that the Radiation Protection Guides were exceeded in certain areas and years
due to environmental contamination resulting from atmospheric nuclear testing.
However, should this situation change, as might be indicated by the
surveillance network and assessments of release of significant radionuclides |
. mentioned in previous answers, it is obvious that the FRC and regulatory
agencies would take suitable precautions for protecting public health and
safety.