INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTIONICRP ref: 4832-6690-6902
Released November 06, 2013

2nd International Symposium on
the System of Radiological Protection
October 22-24, 2013 – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Following the success of ICRP’s 1st symposium in 2011,
the 2nd International Symposium on the System ofRadiological Protection was held in Abu Dhabi, on
October 22-24, 2013, hosted by the UAE Federal
Authority for Nuclear Regulation.
ICRP 2013 attracted nearly 300 registered participantsfrom 37 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain,Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy,Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Luxemburg, Norway, Oman,Portugal, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia,Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden,
Dr Claire Cousins, ICRP Chair
Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, UK, Ukraine, and USA.
Participants came from all six Gulf Cooperation Council states, making up about 40% of theattendees.
In addition to a session providing an overview of the work of ICRP, five topical sessions
were held on high-priority issues in radiological protection:Tissue reactions: The road from science to protection
This session began with the basic science of tissue reactions, in particular radiogenic
cataracts and circulatory disease. Presentations also addressed questions of dosimetry,international implementation of new dose limits, implications in medical imaging andother areas, and science and value aspects.
Advances in recovery preparedness and response following Fukushima
Experiences from Japanese government and non-government perspectives, including
engaging with local stakeholders, and progress on clean-up efforts in Fukushima, were ahighlight of this session. Two presentations also covered progress outside Japan onplanning for recovery following a major accident.

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INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTIONNORM issues in the real world
A review of the ICRP system of radiological protection on existing exposure situations,followed by an overview of ICRP’s current efforts on radiological protection for Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), introduced this session. This was balanced by apresentation on practical experience in regulation and management of NORM in NorthAmerica. A presentation from the Federal Authority on Nuclear Regulation outlined
current regulatory developments in the UAE, and a presentation from the Abu Dhabi
National Oil Company explored local issues related to waste management in NORM.
What do we need from ICRP in medicine?
This session opened with views from ICRP on the use of Effective Dose in Medicine,followed by a review of recent and current ICRP efforts in radiological protection incomputed tomography (CT). Recent epidemiological studies in paediatric CT werecritically examined. Evolving efforts radiological protection in medicine in the United ArabEmirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as international views from the World HealthOrganisation, were presented.
The ICRP approach to environmental radiation protection: issues and application
The ICRP approach to protection of the environment, the subject of an ICRP publicationin press, was presented, followed by an examination of information on relationships
between environmental exposures and consequences for wildlife, and a proposal toimprove dosimetry for reference animals and plants. Three presentations focused on themarine environment, including use of the ICRP system, marine biodiversity in Abu Dhabi,and modelling marine exposures and effects after the Fukushima accident.
Presentation materials were made available through the ICRP website in near-real-time,
helping to share the results broadly.
Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection
will be published in the Annals of the ICRP. Thanks to support from the German Federal
Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, registered participants
will be eligible to receive a printed copy at no charge.
ICRP 2013 was made possible in part through the generous support of the host, the UAE
Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, and other supporters: Emirates Nuclear Energy
Corporation; UAE Armed Forces; Abu Dhabi Health Authority; German Federal Ministry for
the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety; Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission; Cameco, Canada; Landauer Europe; and, Japan Radioisotope Association.

Given the success of ICRP’s series of symposia, planning has alreadybegun for the 3rd International Symposium on Radiological Protection. It
will be held in Seoul, Korea, October 20-22, 2015, in conjunction with thenext biennial joint meetings of the Main Commission and Committees.

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