ML20011E004
| ML20011E004 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/11/1990 |
| From: | Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Breaux J SENATE, ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20011E001 | List: |
| References | |
| BREAUX-900111, CCS, NUDOCS 9002050197 | |
| Download: ML20011E004 (1) | |
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QUESTION 2(a).
Explain how the' Commission's radiation protection standards-are derived.
- r ANSWER.
y The Commission's radiation protection standards are based on the recommenda-tions'of-international and national scientific authorities, such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the National
.c Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP).
These recommenda-tions, which represent a consensus of the scientific community, also form the basis'for Federal Guidance developed by EPA in cooperation with other Federal agencies, including the NRC, and issued under the President's signature.
Scientific assessments of the risks'of radiation exposure, such as reported by.
the~BEIR Committee and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects.
of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), are factored into the development of standards at both the national and international levels. These scientific assessments are based upon all of the radiation risk data available, including epide-miological studies of-the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, various. occupational and medically exposed populations, and cellular and molecular research, f
The NRC then considers the recommendations and latest scientific assessments in formulating radiation protection standards which provide reasonable assurance that commercial uses of nuclear materials do not pose a hazard to public health and safety, radiation workers, and the environment. The require-ments are proposed for public comment in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. After thorough consideration of the comments, NRC revises the standards appropriately and promulgates them in final form.
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