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Question 136: 10 CFR 20.1206 states that workers who will
receive a planned special exposure (PSE) must be informed
regarding the risk from the radiation exposure that is
expected to be received. Radiation risk coefficients
presently available are applicable to large populations and
are not recommended for risk assessment for a small number
of people. The coefficients are not applicable to
individual doses as small as PSEs. How are nuclear power
plant licensees expected to comply with this rule?
Answer: The requirement in 10 CFR 20.1206 (c) (2) to
inform the individual, who is to receive the PSE, of the
estimated doses and associated potential risks is not a
requirement to inform that worker of a precise probability
that the worker may suffer some particular deleterious
effect (s) from the estimated radiation dose (s). This
requirement consists of a brief refresher of the
instruction required by 10 CFR 19.12 with respect to
instruction concerning the risks associated with radiation
exposures. Regulatory Guide 8.29, which is being updated,
provides guidance on this subject that is acceptable for
meeting the requirement of 10 CFR 20.1206 (c) (2) as well
as 10 CFR 19.12. That guide includes information
concerning the differences between the risk to a particular
individual and the risk coefficients applicable to large
populations of exposed individuals. (Reference: 10 CFR
20.1206).