A risk based methodology for assessing the efficacy and priorities for the control of various radiation sources

There is increasing concern as to whether our limited radiation protection resources are being directed to those radiation sources that produce the greatest return as measured by the cost/risk avoided. Major contributors to this problem include public perception and the lack of an accepted methodology for assigning priorities. Described in this report is a new methodology for assigning these priorities on the basis of cost per risk avoided. This methodology provides several different approaches for comparing the cost effectiveness and priority of these sources, as well as insight into the efficacy of regulatory programs. To demonstrate its application, various radiation sources, selected on the basis of providing insight into problem areas, are evaluated and compared. These resulting assessments show that the current funding and prioritization for the control of radiation sources are, in general, exactly opposite to the risk based efficacy for their control. It is hopeful that the insights resulting from these assessments will assist decision-makers in correcting this situation.