Radiation protection standards: their evolution from science to philosophy.
The concept of applying constraints on individual sources to a small fraction of the public dose limit has been deemed inappropriate when shielding the medical X-ray sources. This represents a broad-based consensus of medical physics and radiological societies in the United States, and the report series on the shielding design for medical X-ray sources (including dental, X-ray imaging and therapeutic X ray) from the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) utilises 1 mSv y(-1) as a source control limit. In the present study, the rationale for such a conclusion is discussed, and a somewhat critical look at the current model of radiation protection of the public is made.
Dixon
R L
RL
Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA. rdixon@wfubmc.edu
Gray
Joel E
JE
Archer
B R
BR
Simpkin
D J
DJ
D004781:Environmental Exposure; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010684:Philosophy; D011639:Public Opinion; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012586:Science