The production of in nuclear reactors and its subsequent release to the environment leads to an increase in atmospheric specific activities and, hence, to an incremental addition to the radiation dose to man. The primary objectives of this research were to assess the radiological impact of discharges from the nuclear fuel cycle and thereafter to comment on their acceptability on the basis of the recommendations of International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). These basic objectives were subdivided into 2 assessment projects; firstly, to quantify the effects of 14C discharges on populations living in the locality of large nuclear installations and, secondly, to estimate the effects of 14C releases on the global population.