Description: The lethality of the ambient environments for serious nuclear accidents, terrorist attacks and military operations in nuclear environments requires the ability to accurately assess health risk. 

The current safety system was not designed for radiological emergencies, but for use in an integrated system of policies, procedures, and standards that have very effectively protected both people and the environment while allowing the beneficial use of ionizing radiation. The procedures currently used for assessing external and internal dose are not optimized for health risk but for a compliance system. 

The primary objective of this two part continuing education session is to highlight the differences between the compliance system and the procedures and processes needed to come up with “best-estimate” radiation health risk assessments suitable for these lethal environments. Part I focuses on “best-estimate” dose methodologies. Part II presents a novel strategy for incorporating “best-estimate” into decision-making.