As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)

An approach to radiation protection to manage and control releases of radioactive material to the environment, and exposure to the work force and to members of the public so that the levels are as low as is reasonably achievable, taking into account societal, environmental, technical, economic, and public policy considerations. As used in this Order, ALARA is not a specific release or dose limit but a process which has the goal of optimizing control and management of releases of radioactive material to the environment and doses so that they are as far below the applicable limits of the Order as reasonably achievable.

A radiation protection principle applied to radiation exposures, with costs and benefits taken into account.

The term is most often used in reference to chemical or radiation exposure levels. The objective is to ensure that hazardous chemical and radiation exposures to workers and releases of hazardous chemical and radioactivity to the environment are maintained below regulatory limits and deliberate efforts are taken to further reduce exposures and releases. In this document, ALARA focuses on radiological hazards as defined in 10 CFR Part 835.