Theinternational
system ofRadiation
Protection
Gerhard Proehl

International organizations involved inRadiation ProtectionICRP: International Commission on RadiologicalProtection
Founded in 1928

− Work was initiated by the effects following applications of radiation(e.g. x-rays) in medicine

Study effects of radiation on human health in dependence on− Exposure levels (total doses and dose rates)− Age and gender− Pathway (external/internal exposure)− Elaborate a system to convert exposure to radiation dose
• Activity intake [Bq] → Dose [Sv]

• Providing recommendations for radiation protection− E.g. dose limits, reference levels− Basis for developing radiological protection standards world-wide

UNSCEAR: United Nations Scientific Committee onthe Effects of Atomic Radiation
Founded in 1957

−Study the systematically effects of ionizing radiation• Systematic study all sources of exposure to radiation− Natural radiation− Medical exposure− Applications in science and industry− Estimate levels and trends of radiation doses• Analysis of studies on ionizing radiation− Effects on human health− Effects on wildlife• UNSCEAR reports directly to the United Nations General Assembly− Represent a consensus of the UN Member States on effects of ionizing
radiation

IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency
Founded in 1957 by the United Nations
Article III, Functions
Paragraph A.6.
“ To establish or adopt, in consultation and, whereappropriate, in collaboration with the competent organs of
the United Nations and with the specialized agencies
concerned,standards of safety for protection of health andminimization of danger to life and property (including suchstandards for labour conditions), andto provide for the application of these standards toits own operation as well as to the operations making useof materials, services, equipment, facilities, andinformation made available by the Agency …; “Statute 19575

Development of International Standards
UNSCEAR

ICRP

IAEA

United Nations
Scientific Committee on
the Effects of Atomic
Radiation

InternationalCommission on
RadiologicalProtection

International Atomic
Energy Agency

Scientific Reports on
Radiation Effects

Recommendations on
Dose limits, reference
levelsSafety Standards forProtecting People
and the Environment

IAEA Safety Standards Categories
Fundamental Safety Principles

Requirements: What to do?

Safety Fundamentals
Safety Requirements

Safety Guides

Best Practice to meet
Requirements: How to do?

7Safety Fundamentals: 10 Safety
Principles

3/3/2020

1 Responsibility for safety
2 Role of government
3 Leadership and management for safety
4 Justification of facilities and activities
5 Optimization of protection
6 Limitation of risks to individuals
7 Protection of present and future generations
8 Prevention of accidents
9 Emergency preparedness and response
10 Protective actions to reduce existing or
unregulated radiation risks

8IAEA Basic Safety Standards (BSS)• Represents international consensus onRadiation Protection− Based on ICRP 103 (2007)• Defines responsibilities− Government and regulatory body
− Operator• Defines exposure situations• Radiation protection principles− Justification, Optimization, Limitation• Radiological criteria− Public in all exposure situations− Workers

The System of Radiation Protection is complex• Three Exposed Groups−Workers−Patients−General public• Three Exposure Situations−Planned exposures−Emergency−Existing exposures• Three Radiation Protection Principles−Justification−Limitation−Optimization

Categories of exposure
Occupational exposure• Exposure of workers during their work

Public exposure• Exposure to members of the public due to• Sources in planned, emergency and existing exposure
situations,• Excluding any occupational exposure or medical exposure

Medical exposure

Exposure incurred by• Patients undergoing medical or dental diagnosis or treatment• Carers and comforters of patients undergoing radiologicalprocedures• Volunteers subject to exposure as part of a programme ofbiomedical research

Types of Exposure Situations
Planned exposure situations

Situations involving the planned introduction andoperation of sources• (including decommissioning, disposal of radioactive
waste, rehabilitation)

Emergency exposure situations

Unexpected situations• May occur during of a planned situation,• Or from a malicious act, requiring urgent attention

Existing exposure situations

Situations that already exist when a decision on control has
to be taken• Natural background radiation• Residues from past practices operated outside the system• Residues from incidents and accidents

Limitation of exposures

Dose limits• Planned exposures• Exposure from all planned activities must not exceed
an effective dose of 1 mSv/aReferencelevels• Emergency situation: 20 - 100 mSv• Existing exposures:
1 - 20 mSv/a• Reference level is not a limit, but a target• Situation-dependent: feasibility and experience

The “wheel” of IAEAsafety standards• The Safety Standards
approved by the IAEA Boardof Governors.
• The series has about 130 to140 standards.
• Safety Guides are evaluatedevery 5 years.
• Safety Requirements areevaluated every 10 years.

International Conventions for Safety ofnuclear applications• Agreement between states for regulation ofmatters affecting all of them
• Agreements about basic principles orprocedures• Define common goals• Duties of the participating Member States• System of exchange of information

International Conventions• Conventions coordinated by the IAEA

− Joint Convention for Nuclear Safety− Joint Convention for Management of Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste− Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident− Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or RadiologicalEmergency• ESPOO Convention− Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Trans-boundary
Context• London Convention− Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes
and Other Matter• OSPAR Conventions− Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-EastAtlanticSummary• Radiation Protection System−Internationally agreed−Based on science−Includes all relevant exposure situations• IAEA Safety Standards are established by IAEA inconsensus with all Member States• Implementation within National Responsibilities−Guidance provides by IAEA Safety Standards• Complemented in International Conventions