Estimation of Radiation Risks

Abstract

IN EARLY 1990 a new report on radiation risk estimation was released by the National Research Council (NRC), an agency administered by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.¹This report, entitled "Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiations," was prepared by the NRC's Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiations (BEIR) and is commonly referred to as BEIR V. The report was commissioned by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy through its Committee on Interagency Radiation Research and Policy Coordination. The BEIR V committee was composed of 17 of North America's experts on radiation epidemiology, bioeffects, and risk estimates. The mission of the BEIR V committee was to conduct a comprehensive review of the biological effects of ionizing radiations and to provide new estimates of the risks of genetic and somatic effects associated