Principles of Environmental Monitoring at Nuclear Power Stations.

The development of rradiation protection as an accompaniment to that of nuclear power generation is reviewed, and the efforts in this field are compared with those made to combat conventional forms of pollution. The principles that have emerged are set forth, and should serve as a model for the surveillance of conventional forms of pollution. The results of current environmental monitoring are discussed, it being noted that contamination of the environment and of man through the operation of nuclear power stations is at present so slight as to be virtually undetectable. The need for a more objective assessment of the risks associated with nuclear power generation is indicated.