Regulation of radiation pollution: its possible usefulness in strategy for intervention against chemical mutagens

Over the last 25 years, a large amount of work has been carried out in the field of safety with regard to ionizing radiations. This has resulted in the establishment of norms of security which have been accepted in most countries. These norms are not perfect; they are constantly reviewed and, from time to time, revised; but, such as they are, they are of tremendous usefulness. These standards may serve as a model of what must be achieved in the field of pollution by chemical mutagens. Further, the norms already in force for radiation may serve as a reference for the establishment of similar norms for the major environmental mutagens. It is not possible to assign a specific factor of equivalence with radiation (rad-equivalence) to a given chemical pollutant; but it is possible to establish point-equivalences with regard to well-defined biological systems under well-defined conditions. When they are accurately determined, such point values may be useful and sensible. In this area, as with radiation, it is impossible to find perfect solutions; however, approximate solutions can be arrived at that would already represent a reat progress with regard to the present situation, and which could later be improved as work in the field allows.