Current situation with regard to permissible radiation exposure levels.

Abstract

This discussion will deal primarily with permissible radiation levels in relation to occupational exposure. While such levels are intimately related to those for the general population, this phase of the problem will not be discussed in detail. For the past twenty-five years this country has based its permissible occupational exposure levels on the recommendations of the National Committee on Radiation Protection (NCRP) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). In both cases the exposure levels have been determined primarily by the effect of radiation upon the individual. The current permissible weekly level is based on the premise that a whole-body exposure of 0.3 rem∕week for an indefinite period would not produce any detectable harmful effect. It should be pointed out that at the time these levels were set, in 1948, extensive consideration was given to the effect of radiation on the genetic system and upon the average expected life-span of the occupationally irradiated populat...