Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Ionising radiation has been used for over a century for peaceful purposes, revolutionising health care and promoting well-being through its application in industry, science, and medicine. For almost as long, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has promoted understanding of health and environmental risks of ionising radiation and developed a protection system that enables the safe use of ionising radiation in justified and beneficial practices, providing protection from all sources of radiation. However, we are concerned that a shortage of investment in training, education, research, and infrastructure seen in many sectors and countries may compromise society's ability to properly manage radiation risks, leading to unjustified exposure to or unwarranted fear of radiation, impacting the physical, mental, and social well-being of our peoples. This could unduly limit the potential for research and development in new radiation technologies (healthcare, energy, and the environment) for beneficial purposes. ICRP therefore calls for action to strengthen expertise in radiological protection worldwide through: (1) National governments and funding agencies strengthening resources for radiological protection research allocated by governments and international organisations, (2) National research laboratories and other institutions launching and sustaining long-term research programmes, (3) Universities developing undergraduate and graduate university programmes and making students aware of job opportunities in radiation-related fields, (4) Using plain language when interacting with the public and decision makers about radiological protection, and (5) Fostering general awareness of proper uses of radiation and radiological protection through education and training of information multipliers. The draft call was discussed with international organisations in formal relations with ICRP in October 2022 at the European Radiation Protection Week in Estoril, Portugal, and the final call announced at the 6th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection of ICRP in November 2022 in Vancouver, Canada.
Institutions: Helmholtz Munich, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Stockholm University, Jan Kochanowski University, International Commission on Radiological Protection, University of Kentucky, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Institute of Radiation Physics, University of Lausanne, UK Health Security Agency, Nippon Bunri University, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute
Language: English
Topic: Radiation Dose and Imaging
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,990
OpenAlex ID: W4366990595