ML19318B705
| ML19318B705 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/05/1980 |
| From: | Ryan Alexander NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT |
| To: | Sheridan S AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| TASK-OH-801-1, TASK-OS NUDOCS 8006270346 | |
| Download: ML19318B705 (2) | |
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THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS POOR QUAUTY PAGES l
JUN 5 1980 Mr. Steve F. Sheridan
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13141s 44 Street Rock Island. Illinois 61201
Dear Mr. Sheridan:
This is in response to your card of May 15, 1980. Your card asks the NRC to adjust the limits of maximum pennissible exposure to the haan body, and specifically mentions recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRF).
1 The most recent updating c? ne recomendtions of the ICRP are set out in ICRP Publication 26 entitled, " Recommendations of the International Comission on Radiological Protection", adopted January 17, 1977. There are a number of very valuable concepts in that docusat, ;=-ticularly tM concept of summation j
of risk from exposure to various kinds of radioactive materials and the risk 1
associated with exposure to external radiation. The concept also accounts 1
for the risk associated with dose to a neber of body organs that may be in-volved. The previous ICRP model dealt only with dose to that organ of the body that received the larg6st dose, assuming that if the organ that would receive the highest dose aas protected, all of the other organs would be protected also. There are, however, a neber of difficulties with practical application of the reconsendations in ICRP Publication 26. Enclosed is a i
copy of a paper that was presented on these matters at an International l
Atomic Energy Agency Symposis in 1979.
There are other factors that affect the radiation protection standards established by the NRC. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been assigned the role (previously assigned to the Federal Radiation Council) of developing radia-tion protection guidance to be used by Federal agencies such as NRC. EPA is I
in the process of updating the guidance developed by the Federal Radiation Council in 1960. EPA has contracted with the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council for a detailed report on "The Effects on Populations of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiations" to be prepared by the Connittee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiations (BEIR)', has made i
a comprehensive survey of data on occupational exposures (1975)# and has sought the advice of an Interagency Comnittee on Federal Guidance that includes NRC i
staff members. EPA issued an advance notice (copy enclosed) on Septanber 17, Ly})f,j 1979, outlining its work in reviewing existing Federal radiation protection i
i guidance on occupational exposures, inviting conuent and factual information t
on a number of specific questions, and stating its intent to publish proposed guidance for public consent and to hold public hearings on the draft guidance.
We anticipate issuance of the draft guidance for coment about August,1980, and the public hearinis nay be held about January,1981.
OFFICE >
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NRC Form 318A (4 79) NRCM O2040
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l We recognize the concerns of some investigators (such as Mancuso, Stewart, i
Kneale; Bertell; Bross) that the risks associated with low-level ratiation may have been significantly underestimated. However, these concerns have been refuteo by a majority of their peers. The basic Radiation Protection
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l Guide being considered by EPA is 5 rems per year, essentially the same as the basic Nxc dose-limiting standard. Adoption of the recomendations in 1
ICRP Pubitcation 26 would result in lower permissible intakes of some radio-l active materials, but would permit larger intakes of other radioactive materials and thus are not the most desirable alternative approach for the protection of the health and safety of individuals. For example, it would be more desirable to use the ICRP methodology only in those cases where it would limit the amount of radioactive material that may be taken into l
the body to a value lower than would be permitted by the present standards.
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Consideration of these factors has led the NRC to delay action to amend the i
I dose-limiting standards in 10 CFR Part 20 of its regulations pending publi-l cation of the draft EPA guidance and opportunity to consider the public coment thereon.
I We appreciate the cuncern expressed in your card. We assure you that adjustment of the dose-limiting standards is and will continue to be given 4
careful consideration.
Sincerely,
/
Robert E. Alexander, Chief Occupational Health Standards Branch l
Office of Standards Development
Enclosures:
l IAEA-SR-36/31 EPA Advance Notice l
DISTRIBUTION:
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Alexander (Chief)
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feRC Form 3188 (4 79) NRCM O240
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