NCRP—The nation’s council
Kathryn Higley
For nearly a century, the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements has served as the United States’ leading authority on radiation protection. Established in 1929 as the Advisory Committee on X-ray and Radium Protection, the NCRP was created in response to growing concerns about the health risks of radiation exposure following the discoveries of X-rays and radioactivity.
It was formally chartered by Congress in 1964 through Public Law 88-376, also known as the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Charter Act. The NCRP has provided science-based guidance for the public, workers, and the environment. Its work spans a wide range of topics, including protecting patients and workers in medical, industrial, and environmental settings; supporting emergency preparedness; developing risk models for low-dose exposures; guiding safe practices for new technologies such as advanced nuclear reactors; and providing information on wireless communication devices.
In recent years, the NCRP has addressed some of the most pressing issues in radiation protection through guidance and by hosting timely topical workshops. The 2024 NCRP annual meeting explored the safety and regulatory considerations of advanced and small modular nuclear reactors, highlighting their potential for both terrestrial and space applications. In 2025, the meeting focus turned to the Million Person Study (MPS), the major U.S. research initiative designed to improve understanding of health risks from chronic, low-dose radiation exposure. Supported by multiple federal agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations, the MPS publishes its data in the open-access literature, providing new insights into our understanding of risk from ionizing radiation.
Beyond these flagship efforts, the NCRP has advanced projects on statistical methods for handling dose uncertainties in epidemiological studies, has issued guidance for maintaining radiation safety during nuclear facility decommissioning, and has updated recommendations on patient shielding in medical imaging. It has also expanded its work on dose modeling for the MPS; is developing clear, accessible information on wireless technology and health effects; and is collaborating with the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors to improve data collection on medical radiation exposures.
Widely recognized for its expertise, the NCRP now operates primarily in the background of public health and safety, providing technical expertise and recommendations that inform policymakers, regulators, and professionals. Its work is essential but often indirect—shaping standards and guidelines for radiation protection in medicine, industry, and the environment without being the “face” of implementation or enforcement.
Looking ahead, the NCRP is preparing for the launch of a new website in 2025, which has been designed to improve public access to information, facilitate collaboration among scientific committees, and support the council’s work in a rapidly evolving field.
Its leadership will also be critical to emerging policy discussions, such as the proposed removal of the linear no-threshold model and ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle from select federal regulatory frameworks. The interpretation of low-dose radiation risks and the management of exposure standards are complex issues with far-reaching implications for public health, safety, and industry.
As an independent, science-based organization, the NCRP is uniquely positioned to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations that ensure these policy decisions are grounded in rigorous science and serve the public good.
Through its enduring commitment to scientific integrity and public service, the NCRP continues to advance knowledge, inform policy, and uphold the highest standards of radiation protection, ensuring that its legacy of leadership and service remains strong now and into the future.
Kathryn Higley is the president of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements.
