Regulatory consideration in radiation protection.
A regulatory scheme is suggested that identifies regions labeled "unacceptable" and "safe" as the upper and lower bounds and "operational" region is identified as the continuum between the two extremes. These regions are associated with levels of annual risk of cancer death for a given level of lifetime exposure between 100 mrem/yr and 1 mrem/yr, upper and lower bounds, respectively. Concern is expressed with establishing public health standards at ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) levels, which result in lower standards for reference, and views are presented on several issues of interest in regulations for protection of the public from radioactivity in drinking water. Based on the regulatory scheme suggested, the author concludes that existing standards for drinking water appear to be lower than necessary.
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000191:economics; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects; D012306:Risk; D014481:United States; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards
D011848:Radioactive Pollutants; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon