Implications of possible reduction in radiation exposure limits: Final report

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6418912

Le Surf, J E; Cehn, J I

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is currently reviewing the recommended limits on radiological exposure of nuclear workers. The findings of the review are expected to be issued in 1990 or 1991. There are indications that the revised recommendations will be for reduced limits. Based on new estimates of the exposures received by Japanese atomic bomb victims, the new recommended limit may be in the range 1 to 2.5 rem/year. Many countries will accept these recommendations unilaterally and some have already issued interim guidance statements recommending an annual exposure limit of 1.5 rem. Although the USA is not bound by these recommendations, it is unlikely that the NRC would continue with a set of limits higher than the rest of the world adopted. This report is preliminary examination of how such a change in worker exposure limit could be implemented in the US nuclear industry. No attempt is made to quantify either the impact or the benefits of such a change. The likely effect on the nuclear industry of a major decrease in exposure limits is discussed and the approaches taken by other countries with major nuclear programs to minimize radiation exposures is presented. Changes to the philosophy of radiation protection in this country that would allow accommodation of lower limits are suggested. Improvements to dose tracking and dose monitoring techniques are discussed. Methods for reducing existing radiation fields and for preventing future radiation field increases are briefly reviewed. 23 refs., 8 figs.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Le Surf (J.E.), Niagara Falls, ON (Canada)
• OSTI ID: 6418912
• Report Number(s): EPRI-NP-6291
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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