The study and control of environmental radioactivity and its relevance to the control of other environmental contaminants.

The history of radioactivity as an environmental contaminant is briefly traced. The basic principles concerning radiological protection and their application to the natural environment are reviewed. The relevance of these aspects of radiological protection philosophy and methodology to the control of other environmental contaminants is examined, especially the development and application of basic standards to waste disposal situations. It is concluded that many of the control procedures developed for radioactivity could be applied with advantage to other potential pollutants.