Metrology for radiation protection: a new European network in the foundation phase
Authors: Röttger Annette , Veres Attila , Sochor Vladimir , Pinto Massimo , Derlacinski Michal , Ioan Mihail-Razvan , Sabeta Amra , Bernat Robert , Adam-Guillermin Christelle , Gracia Alves João Henrique , Glavič-Cindro Denis , Bell Steven , Wens Britt , Persson Linda , Živanović Miloš , Nylund Reetta 
Published: November 2021

Abstract. More than 23 million workers worldwide are occupationally
exposed to ionizing radiation and all people in the world are exposed to
environmental radiation. The mean exposure, that is the mean annual dose of
per person, is dominated by medical applications and exposure to natural
sources. Due to recent developments in healthcare, e.g. the increasing
application of ionising radiation in medical imaging with relative high
doses like CT, and modern high dose applications (for example CT
angiography), the exposure due to medical application has risen.
Additionally, the changes in living conditions increase the exposure to
natural radioactivity also: More living time is spent in buildings or in an
urban environment, which causes higher exposure to Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Materials (NORM) in building materials and higher exposure to
radon. The level of radon activity concentration in buildings is far higher
than in the environment (outdoor). This effect is often amplified by modern
energy-efficient buildings which reduce the air exchange and thus increase
the radon indoor activity concentration. In summary both medical application
of ionizing radiation and natural sources are responsible for the increase
of the mean annual exposure of the population. The accurate measurement of radiation dose is key to ensuring safety but
there are two challenges to be faced: First, new standards and reference
fields are needed due to the rapid developments in medical imaging,
radiotherapy and industrial applications. Second, direct communication
channels are needed to ensure that information on best practice in
measurements reaches effectively and quickly the people concerned. It is therefore necessary to allow for an international exchange of
information on identified problems and solutions. Consequently, a European
Metrology Network (EMN) for radiation protection under the roof of EURAMET
is in the foundation phase. This network EMN for Radiation Protection is being prepared by the project
EMPIR 19NET03 supportBSS. The project aims to prepare this EMN by addressing this issue
through the identification of stakeholder research needs and by implementing
a long-term ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and the metrology
community. The EMN will serve as a unique point of contact to address all
metrological needs related to radiation protection and it will relate to all
environmental processes where ionising radiation and radionuclides are
involved. A Strategic Research Agenda and two roadmaps are in development, covering
the metrology needs of both the Euratom Treaty and the EU Council Directive
2013/59/EURATOM pinning down the basic safety standards for protection
against the dangers arising from exposure to ionizing radiation.
Furthermore, long-term knowledge sharing, and capacity building will be
supported and a proposal for a sustainable joint European metrology
infrastructure is under way. This will significantly strengthen the
radiation protection metrology and support radiation protection measures.
The final goal of the network project is a harmonised, sustainable,
coordinated and smartly specialised infrastructure to underpin the current
and future needs expressed in the European regulations for radiation
protection.