A Forward-Looking Approach to Public Low-Dose Regulation: From Hypothetical Risk to Evaluation of Protection Efforts

This paper proposes a revision of the traditional regulatory framework for radiological protection of the public, which has long relied on the combined application of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model and the ALARA principle ("as low as reasonably achievable"). The proposed model focuses on the evaluation of tangible protection efforts rather than on the assumptions of hypothetical risk. Termed the Best Protection Approach (BPA), this model assesses the sufficiency, coherence, and traceability of the radiological protection measures in place, rather than regulating hypothetical risks associated with exposures that remain well below the threshold of epidemiological detectability. New operational concepts, such as the Protection Effort Index (PEI) and the Sufficient Protection Benchmark (SPB), are introduced, complemented by standardization tools designed to improve consistency and comparability across different assessors and similar nuclear facilities. The BPA emphasizes the balanced optimization of protective performance rather than indefinite dose minimization, aiming to maintain robust safety, reduce undue regulatory burden, and support clearer communication in low-dose public exposure contexts, particularly near nuclear power plants (NPPs).