title: Radiation protection philosophy: bioethical problems and priorities.
abstract: The evolution of radiation protection philosophy over the past thirty years calls attention to an urgent need to review and revise current radiation control programs with respect to the ethical problems and priorities they reflect. One problem is the environmental crisis-mentality escalating already rising expectations in our affluent society about levels of safety. A second problem is the propriety or impropriety of using cost/benefit/risk quantifications in setting priorities in public health protection. A threefold ethical justification for risk-assessment methodology challenges our government regulatory agency system as presently chartered and operationally conducted.
mesh_terms: D004787:Environmental Pollution; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006077:Government Agencies; D006801:Humans; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D011639:Public Opinion; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D011848:Radioactive Pollutants