美国核管会(NRC)提议废除执行了50年的ALARA原则，即将辐射暴露保持在"合理可行的最低水平"，改为采用"分级方案"进行管理[1]。这一举措与特朗普政府加快核能生产的政策相呼应[1]。NRC主席何涅表示，这项改革仅是"消除歧义"，"标准没有改变"[1]。然而，该提案招致辐射安全专家的质疑。
根据NRC的提议，放射核素排放标准将从10毫伦提高到25毫伦/年[1]。为了提供参考，一般公众辐射暴露限制为100毫伦/年，而单次胸部X光的剂量为10毫伦[1]。同时，国际放射防护委员会建议职业辐射工人的剂量限制为2伦/年平均，但美国NRC当前维持5伦/年的限制[1]。关切科学家协会核能安全主任埃德温·莱曼警告，该提案某些部分可能导致允许辐射剂量上升[1]。
特朗普政府已指示NRC采纳"基于科学的辐射限制"[1]，旨在应对数据中心和人工智能繁荣带来的电力需求，目标是使美国国内核能产量翻两倍[1]。NRC预期在未来数月内完成辐射防护规定的定稿[1]。
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed eliminating the ALARA principle, a longstanding radiation protection standard that has guided the agency for 50 years and been adopted globally [1]. Under the new approach, the NRC would shift toward a "tiered system" for regulating radiation exposure [1]. The ALARA principle requires keeping radiation exposure at the lowest level reasonably achievable, but critics argue the proposed change could result in higher permissible radiation doses [1].
NRC Chair Ho Nieh defended the proposal, stating "we are simply eliminating ambiguity" and emphasized that "standards have not changed" [1]. The shift aligns with the Trump administration's directive to the NRC to adopt "science-based radiation limits" and reflects broader efforts to accelerate nuclear energy production [1]. The administration aims to double domestic nuclear output to meet electricity demands driven by data centers and artificial intelligence expansion [1].
The specific regulatory changes include raising radionuclide emissions standards from 10 to 25 millirems per year [1]. For context, the general public exposure limit stands at 100 millirems annually, while a single chest X-ray delivers approximately 10 millirems [1]. The International Commission on Radiological Protection recommends an average occupational dose of 2 rems per year for radiation workers, though the NRC currently maintains a limit of 5 rems per year [1].
Safety advocates have raised concerns about the proposal. Edwin Lyman, nuclear safety director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, warned that certain aspects of the proposal could increase permissible radiation doses [1]. The NRC expects to finalize the updated radiation protection regulations within the coming months [1].