Applicability of the ICRP principle of limitation of individual doses to the lifetime dose to workers

The Committee on Radiation Protection and Public Health has been informed that paragraphs 99-102 of ICRP Publication 26 are being interpreted in some countries as a recommendation to limit the average annual dose equivalent, over a working lifetime, to less than 5 mSv. This brief note sets out the reasons why the Committee considers that national authorities which are preparing radiological protection regulations and standards should exercise considerable caution in examining any proposal to introduce lifetime dose limits for workers in these regulations and standards. (U.K.)