Education and training are indispensable to the development of human resources in industries around the world. Nuclear industries promote the safe use of nuclear technologies for peaceful applications in various fields, in medicine, industry and agriculture. Medical applications and radiation processing of products (food stuff, medical supplies, synthetic and rubber items, cables, etc) have seen tremendous growth. This is in addition to the on-going growth, world wide, in nuclear power generation. Different categories of man power, such as scientists, engineers, biologists, technical, semi-technical and labor are required for the safe operations of the facilities and the activities. Unlike other industries, due to the radioactive nature of the activities, there is potential for radiation exposures, which can be harmful if not controlled.
Thus, for the safe conduct of these applications, the man power required should be suitably educated and trained in the fields of nuclear and radiological safety. This is the mandatory requirement as per the regulations covering all the activities involving radiation and radioisotopes. The fields of nuclear and radiation safety are multi-disciplinary in nature, comprising of inter-related parts of nuclear physics, chemistry, biology, statistics and other specialized areas.
To meet these requirements, there is tremendous scope for private agencies, universities and scientific associations to develop nuclear industry-specific human resources which are trained / educated in nuclear and radiation safety. The national regulators should take proactive steps in this direction.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Preventing Accidental Exposures from New External Beam Radiation Therapy Technologies
ICRP Publication 112; Ann. ICRP 39 (4), 2009
Disseminating the knowledge and lessons learned from accidental exposures is crucial in preventing re-occurrence. This is particularly important in radiation therapy; the only application of radiation in which very high radiation doses are deliberately given to patients to achieve cure or palliation of disease. This ICRP report is expected to be a valuable resource for radiation oncologists, hospital administrators, medical physicists, technologists, dosimetrists, maintenance engineers, radiation safety specialists, and regulators. While the report applies specifically to new external beam therapies, the general principles for prevention are applicable to the broad range of radiotherapy practices where mistakes could result in serious consequences for the patient and practitioner (ICRP News)
Disseminating the knowledge and lessons learned from accidental exposures is crucial in preventing re-occurrence. This is particularly important in radiation therapy; the only application of radiation in which very high radiation doses are deliberately given to patients to achieve cure or palliation of disease. This ICRP report is expected to be a valuable resource for radiation oncologists, hospital administrators, medical physicists, technologists, dosimetrists, maintenance engineers, radiation safety specialists, and regulators. While the report applies specifically to new external beam therapies, the general principles for prevention are applicable to the broad range of radiotherapy practices where mistakes could result in serious consequences for the patient and practitioner (ICRP News)
Friday, October 8, 2010
ICRP SYMPOSIUM ON THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), that issues recommendations on protection against ionizing radiation, will hold its first ICRP Symposium on the International System of Radiological Protection during October 24-26, 2011, at Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center North Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
With participation from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, this symposium will be of interest to everyone in the field of radiological protection. Participants will learn not only about how the System operates, but also its ethical foundations, the logic behind it, and how it has been applied in practical situations.
The opening plenary session will provide useful information on the System of Radiological Protection, and insight into the ongoing work of ICRP in relation to other key organisations in radiological protection. Other sessions will cover topical issues such as: protection against radon in homes and workplaces; protection of medical patients; environmental protection; and radiological protection related to security screening. Presentations will be made by ICRP Main Commission and Committee members, senior members of other international organizations, and officials and industry representatives from around the world.
It is reported that this symposium is made possible in part through support from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency. For details contact Christopher Clement, ICRP Scientific Secretary, at: sci.sec@icrp.org (IAEA News).
With participation from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, this symposium will be of interest to everyone in the field of radiological protection. Participants will learn not only about how the System operates, but also its ethical foundations, the logic behind it, and how it has been applied in practical situations.
The opening plenary session will provide useful information on the System of Radiological Protection, and insight into the ongoing work of ICRP in relation to other key organisations in radiological protection. Other sessions will cover topical issues such as: protection against radon in homes and workplaces; protection of medical patients; environmental protection; and radiological protection related to security screening. Presentations will be made by ICRP Main Commission and Committee members, senior members of other international organizations, and officials and industry representatives from around the world.
It is reported that this symposium is made possible in part through support from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency. For details contact Christopher Clement, ICRP Scientific Secretary, at: sci.sec@icrp.org (IAEA News).
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Cancer in Developing Countries
The 2010 IAEA Scientific Forum was devoted to cancer in developing countries. The IAEA could secure the participation of so many top cancer specialists, scientists and experts from all over the world, as well as distinguished representatives from government, the private sector and leading foundations.
During his first year in office, the Director General of the IAEA visited cancer treatment centres in a number of Member States. He admired very highly about the world-class being offered in many developing countries. Some countries like Korea have also donated funds to the IAEA’s Cancer Programme. Since 1980, the IAEA has delivered over $220 million worth of cancer-related assistance to developing countries. The IAEA´s expertise lies in radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, radiology and medical radiation physics. It is reported that the IAEA provide equipment and training, deliver know-how and technical support and help developing countries establish cancer control policies and centres.
He said that the cancer represents an imminent crisis for developing countries. Most new cancer cases and cancer deaths already occur in the developing world. Around 70 percent of cancers in developing countries are diagnosed too late for life-saving treatment. By 2030, over 13 million people worldwide will die from cancer every year. Almost 9 million of these deaths will be in developing countries. In many low-income countries, there is not a single radiation therapy machine. More than 80% of Africa´s one billion inhabitants still have no access to basic radiotherapy and related cancer services. Millions of people who could be successfully treated die every year.
The message at the forum was very clear: There is a great need work together, to share experiences, expertise and knowledge with each other and to pool resources to ensure that cancer patients in developing countries gain access to the best modern treatment and care (IAEA News).
During his first year in office, the Director General of the IAEA visited cancer treatment centres in a number of Member States. He admired very highly about the world-class being offered in many developing countries. Some countries like Korea have also donated funds to the IAEA’s Cancer Programme. Since 1980, the IAEA has delivered over $220 million worth of cancer-related assistance to developing countries. The IAEA´s expertise lies in radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, radiology and medical radiation physics. It is reported that the IAEA provide equipment and training, deliver know-how and technical support and help developing countries establish cancer control policies and centres.
He said that the cancer represents an imminent crisis for developing countries. Most new cancer cases and cancer deaths already occur in the developing world. Around 70 percent of cancers in developing countries are diagnosed too late for life-saving treatment. By 2030, over 13 million people worldwide will die from cancer every year. Almost 9 million of these deaths will be in developing countries. In many low-income countries, there is not a single radiation therapy machine. More than 80% of Africa´s one billion inhabitants still have no access to basic radiotherapy and related cancer services. Millions of people who could be successfully treated die every year.
The message at the forum was very clear: There is a great need work together, to share experiences, expertise and knowledge with each other and to pool resources to ensure that cancer patients in developing countries gain access to the best modern treatment and care (IAEA News).
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Lung cancer risk from radon and progeny – ICRP Draft report for consultation
Subsequent to the publication of Statement on Radon, the ICRP has brought out a draft report on Lung Cancer Risk from Radon and Progeny. Now, both of these are on the ICRP site and the ICRP is seeking feedback on these. As reported, the last date for receiving comments is September 30, 2010.
The report reviews recent epidemiological studies of lung cancer risk linked to exposure to radon and its progeny. It concentrates on the results from pooled case-control studies of residential exposures and cohorts of underground miners exposed to low levels of radon and radon progeny. Consistent with the approach used in ICRP Publication 65 (1993), recent miner data are used to recommend a revised detriment-adjusted nominal risk coefficient of 5x10-4 per WLM replacing the ICRP Publication 65 value of 2.8x10-4 per WLM.
The pooled analyses of epidemiological studies of lung cancer risk from residential exposures demonstrate a statistically significant increase per unit of exposure below average annual concentrations of about 200 Bq per cubic meter.
For occupational protection purposes and for compliance with the dose limits and constraints, ICRP proposes to treat radon and radon progeny in the same way as other radionuclides and will publish dose coefficients calculated using dosimetric models for use within the ICRP system of protection.
The report reviews recent epidemiological studies of lung cancer risk linked to exposure to radon and its progeny. It concentrates on the results from pooled case-control studies of residential exposures and cohorts of underground miners exposed to low levels of radon and radon progeny. Consistent with the approach used in ICRP Publication 65 (1993), recent miner data are used to recommend a revised detriment-adjusted nominal risk coefficient of 5x10-4 per WLM replacing the ICRP Publication 65 value of 2.8x10-4 per WLM.
The pooled analyses of epidemiological studies of lung cancer risk from residential exposures demonstrate a statistically significant increase per unit of exposure below average annual concentrations of about 200 Bq per cubic meter.
For occupational protection purposes and for compliance with the dose limits and constraints, ICRP proposes to treat radon and radon progeny in the same way as other radionuclides and will publish dose coefficients calculated using dosimetric models for use within the ICRP system of protection.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Environmental Protection: Transfer parameters for Reference Animals and Plants
The ICRP has prepared a draft report on the above much needed topic. The report is put up in the ICRP website requesting comments from individuals and groups. The last date is October 1, 2010.
The approach followed by the Commission to environmental protection uses the concept of a limited set of Reference Animals and Plants as a basis for relating exposure to dose, and dose to radiation effects, for different types of animals and plants in an internally consistent manner.
A set of Dose Conversion Factors is derived for the Reference Animals and Plants, to enable dose rates to be calculated when the concentrations of radionuclides within these organisms have been established by direct measurement. The resultant dose rates can then be compared with evaluations of the effects of dose rates on the different Reference Animals and Plants. These data have been compiled in such a way that Derived Consideration Reference Levels can then be established, each of which constitutes a band of dose rates for each Reference Animal and Plant within which there is likely to be some chance of deleterious effects occurring in individuals of that type of animal or plant. Site specific data on Representative Organisms can then be compared with such values and used as a basis for decision making.
An enormous data base has been brought together and used to provide the most up to date data available.
The approach followed by the Commission to environmental protection uses the concept of a limited set of Reference Animals and Plants as a basis for relating exposure to dose, and dose to radiation effects, for different types of animals and plants in an internally consistent manner.
A set of Dose Conversion Factors is derived for the Reference Animals and Plants, to enable dose rates to be calculated when the concentrations of radionuclides within these organisms have been established by direct measurement. The resultant dose rates can then be compared with evaluations of the effects of dose rates on the different Reference Animals and Plants. These data have been compiled in such a way that Derived Consideration Reference Levels can then be established, each of which constitutes a band of dose rates for each Reference Animal and Plant within which there is likely to be some chance of deleterious effects occurring in individuals of that type of animal or plant. Site specific data on Representative Organisms can then be compared with such values and used as a basis for decision making.
An enormous data base has been brought together and used to provide the most up to date data available.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Whole-body scanners at airports
Airports, world –over will be using full-body scanners to foil possible terror attempts in flights. The United States has tested 40 whole-body scanners as part of a pilot program. These machines - millimeter wavelength imaging and backscatter X-ray scanners, will be used to see under clothes and identify unusual objects. Skin is the likely target organ for the radiation from such body scanners.
It is possible that the radiations may not be penetrating-type and hence risk may be low However, large numbers of people around the world would be exposed to a small risk which may ultimately lead to major public health concern over log time. The exposure from such scanners will be considerable for the air crew and frequent fliers.
It is known that there is no threshold dose that could be considered as risk free to an individual's health, particularly for induction of cancer. As per the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, mass scanning of public using radiation is not justified by any means. If any exposure to radiation can be avoided, it should be avoided.
Members of the public already exposed to low-level radiation from various sources, such as medical X-rays, cosmic radiation during flights at high altitudes, EMF radiation from cellphones, micro-wave radiation from ovens, TV sets, etc, etc. It is time that research should be focused on developing systems which will not expose members of the public to radiations.
Countries should not just rush to install such machines without proper study with respect to its social concerns of intruding into the privacy of passengers; radiation exposure issues; regulatory aspects, ensuring proper maintenance, particularly calibration of the systems so that no member of the public will be exposed to higher levels of radiation at any time.
It is possible that the radiations may not be penetrating-type and hence risk may be low However, large numbers of people around the world would be exposed to a small risk which may ultimately lead to major public health concern over log time. The exposure from such scanners will be considerable for the air crew and frequent fliers.
It is known that there is no threshold dose that could be considered as risk free to an individual's health, particularly for induction of cancer. As per the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, mass scanning of public using radiation is not justified by any means. If any exposure to radiation can be avoided, it should be avoided.
Members of the public already exposed to low-level radiation from various sources, such as medical X-rays, cosmic radiation during flights at high altitudes, EMF radiation from cellphones, micro-wave radiation from ovens, TV sets, etc, etc. It is time that research should be focused on developing systems which will not expose members of the public to radiations.
Countries should not just rush to install such machines without proper study with respect to its social concerns of intruding into the privacy of passengers; radiation exposure issues; regulatory aspects, ensuring proper maintenance, particularly calibration of the systems so that no member of the public will be exposed to higher levels of radiation at any time.
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