Does the System of Radiological Protection Require Science to the Nth Degree to be Fit For Purpose?

<p>The objective of the of the System is &quot;to contribute to an appropriate level of protection for people and the environment&quot; according to ICRP 103. This may be broadly accepted as the purpose of the System. An inherent requirement for protection is an understanding of the risk, where the System burdens Radiation Protection Practitioners with an assumption; a theory. Adoption of LNT has made it mandatory to wear 7 kg of PPE during for a long surgery with a short X-ray exam in the middle, adding a risk of musculoskeletal injuries. In a practical, holistic approach to safety accepting the risk of life long debilitating injury to avoid 0.0025% risk of cancer at some uncertain time is difficult to justify. The discussion paper acknowledges the uncertainty of the LNT Hypothesis. However, despite the uncertainty proposes its continuation at all radiation levels.</p> <p>Is the purpose of the System the pursuit of pure science, or is the purpose to provide practitioners with the ability to protect people?</p>