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Answer to Question #3631 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Policy, Guidelines, and Regulations The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
What will be the net effect on support contractors in the nuclear power industry if the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) adopts the International Commission on Radiological Protection's newest guidelines for radiation exposure? Will this essentially lower the amount of radiation dose that any single person can receive during a calendar year and cause shortages in manpower in the commerical nuclear power industry? When do you think the NRC would adopt these new standards? A
The Standards for Protection Against Radiation, 10 CFR Part 20, were last revised with respect to the overall approach to radiation protection in 1991 (56 FR 23360, May 21, 1991) and are based in part on the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations published in ICRP Publication 26 and Publication 30. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was aware of ICRP's intent to recommend a reduction in the occupational dose limit from an equivalent of 5 rem (50 mSv) per year to an average of 2 rem (20 mSv) per year with some allowance for year-to-year flexibility. The NRC reviewed the potential impacts of reducing occupational dose limits to 2 rem (20 mSv) and concluded that the current dose limit is reasonable for all licensees, both in terms of the lifetime risk of cancer and severe genetic effects to the most highly exposed workers. The ICRP intends to release a new set of draft recommendations for radiological protection in May 2004. These recommendations will not be finalized before 2005. The NRC will review the draft and final ICRP recommendations and will evaluate the potential impact these recommendations will have on NRC licensees. As part of this review, NRC will reexamine radiation exposures to occupational workers and the impact of adopting new dose limits on NRC licensed activities before recommending a revision to Part 20. E. Vincent Holahan, PhD
Answer posted on 12 April 2004. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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