Development of Environmental Standards for Radiation and other Noxae

Reasons for the anthropocentrism of environmental protection have been given in chapter 1. At the same time, we have pointed out that this basic idea must not result in a protection of nature only to the extent which is useful and usable for human beings living today. Nature in its diversity has to be preserved also as a habitat, and for future generations. In this sense, environmental standards have to be regarded as instruments to protect humans and their environment against harmful changes and influences. Moreover, environmental standards may also serve to reduce already existing pollution, thus restoring the environment to a less polluted state.