title: The ALARA principle in the context of a radiological or nuclear emergency.
abstract: Traditionally, the concept of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) has been applied to the workplace and to protect the public. The goals are to minimize small incremental exposures on a daily basis or per specific task, and on a yearly basis, thereby to keep the total annual dose equivalent as far below regulatory limits as practical. In an extreme emergency caused by radiological or nuclear terrorism, or a large scale radiological accident, it is proposed that the same principles can be applied to protect First Responders against potentially large exposures.
authors.affiliation: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Nonproliferation and National Security Department, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA. musolino@bnl.gov
authors.forename: Stephen V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Musolino
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeFranco
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlueck
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006077:Government Agencies; D006801:Humans; D009683:Nuclear Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release / Q000517:prevention & control*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States