[en] The treatment of potential exposures as outlined in the latest recommendations of the ICRP poses some particularly awkward problems for regulators of radiation related practices. Little guidance is given as to how to practically implement the concept. This paper describes the concept of potential exposure, what it means with respect to the way radiation protection specialists should now think about exposures and risks associated with the uses of radiation, and suggests mechanisms for utilizing the concept to provide a more realistic description of the risks to health from radiation practices. The author believes that once the initial difficulties are overcome the potential exposure concept will prove a very useful aid to managing resources allocated for radiation protection purposes. 10 refs., 1 tab., 4 figs