Use of ionizing radiation and radionuclides on human beings for medical research, training, and nonmedical purposes

The task of the Expert Committee was to consider all deliberate irradiation of human beings, particular in the course of medical research, to evaluate the health risks involved, and to recommend measures for keeping such irradiation under proper control. The report does not attempt to prescribe exactly which decisions should be taken in specific cases nor what kind of legislation may be desirable to ensure appropriate control over the deliberate irradiation of human beings. It is intended to provide some ideas and guidelines that will be helpful for decision-makers. The Committee points out that in the circumstances considered, the irradiation should be at the lowest level that is readily achievable. The Committee recommends as a general policy that, when people are to be irradiated for purposes unrelated to health, this should be done only when no satisfactory alternative methods presenting an even lower risk exist and the amount of radiation used should be restricted to the minimum practicable