Radiation regulations achievable

The regulated expression of inducible promoters offers advantages for selective activation of promoter activity in desired tissues. Activation can be achieved by either external factors (ionizing or non-ionizing radiations in the case of heat shock or radiation-inducible promoters), physiological characteristics unique to certain disease states, such as hypoxia in cancer, or the administration of non-toxic agents, such as glucose. 

The approach to risk management for radionuclides, when they are regulated under AEA, incorporates a limit on acceptable dose (and therefore risk) and a requirement that doses be reduced below the limit as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), economic and social factors being taken into account this approach conforms to NCRP s recommendations on radiation protection. In this approach, risks to individuals are divided into three categories of significance, which are commonly termed unacceptable, acceptable, and negligible. ... 

Current federal and state regulations limit radiation workers doses to a total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) of 5 rem/year and a committed dose equivalent to any organ, other than the lens of the eye, of 50 rem/year (EPA 1988c USNRC 1995a). These limits apply to the sum of external and internal doses. The limits are upper limits, and an important philosophy in radiahon protection is to keep radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). 

Although regulations allow an annual maximum permissible dose to radiation workers, one should make considerable efforts to adopt strict protective measures in working with radiations so as to reduce the radiation dose as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Under this concept, techniques, equipment, and procedures are critically evaluated and adopted to minimize the radiation dose to the worker. The NRC has set two goals for a radiation worker to achieve 10% of the occupational dose per quarter (Action level I) and 30% of the occupational dose per quarter (Action level II). If these limits are exceeded, corrective action must be taken or higher limits must be justified for a particular situation. The principles of radiation protection described later should be followed strictly to achieve ALARA compliance. 

The competent authority assessments may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Regulations, including those for RPPs, and may be part of the compliance assurance activities detailed in Ref. [5] (see also paras 311.1-311.8). Of particular importance is the assessment of whether there is effective optimization of radiation protection and safety. This may also help in achieving and maintaining public confidence. 

In order to comply with para. 304 of the Regulations, information on the radiation doses to workers and to members of the public should be collected and reviewed as appropriate. Reviews should be made if circumstances warrant, e.g. if significant changes in transport patterns occur or when a new technology related to radioactive material is introduced. The collection of relevant information may be achieved through a combination of radiation measurements and assessments. Reviews of accident conditions of transport are necessary in addition to those of routine and normal conditions. 

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