Limiting values for radionuclides, scientific bases, Utopian concept or practicable reality

The contributions in this book demonstrate that limiting values for ionizing radiation can be derived neither from experiments nor from the knowledge of biological mechanisms of action. Recommendations for dose limits, the observance of which will very likely exclude harmful effects, are, rather, the autcome of a comparison with natural radiation and its range of variation. Such a procedure cannot be adopted for carcinogenetic working materials as there is no natural exposure to these materials. Also, maximum-permissible-concentration (MAK) values are values which have not been devised for the protection of the population. The five contributions of the book are individually recorded in the data base. (DG)