What ALARA is, and why the NRC wants to change it

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0900

At the dentist, before the X-ray, the assistant drapes a heavy lead apron over your chest and neck. The dose from one dental image is a small fraction of any legal limit. So why the apron?

The answer has a name: ALARA, short for “as low as reasonably achievable.” In July 2026 the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposed removing that term from its regulations entirely, and took public comment through August 31. This piece lays out what the principle does, what the NRC wants instead, and whether anything changes for a patient in Seoul or in Ohio. (As of October 2026.)

ALARA on EnergyNote

What ALARA is, and why the NRC wants to change it