Key Issues
Radiation Standards and Organizations Provide Safety for Public and Workers
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Who Sets Radiation Standards?
International Standards Three international organizations recommend radiation protection levels: the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU).
ICRP. The Second International Congress of Radiology established the ICRP in 1928. Although initially concerned with the safety of medical radiology, it now covers safety for all sources of radiation. Its mission is “to deal with the basic principles of radiation protection and to leave to various national protection committees the responsibility of introducing the detailed technical regulations, recommendations or codes of practice best suited to the needs of their individual countries.”
The ICRP is the principal source of recommendations on safe radiation levels. Members come from many countries and include scientists, physicians and engineers.
The ICRP issued its most recent full set of recommendations in 1990. The next full set is planned for release in 2007.
IAEA. Organized in 1956 to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the IAEA is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
The IAEA applies radiation protection standards to its own operations and to operations it assists or with which it is directly associated. Countries receiving assistance are required to observe relevant health and safety measures prescribed by the organization.
All of the 124 member nations have representatives in the IAEA General Conference, the governing body that determines policy. Smaller executive bodies within the IAEA, such as the Scientific Advisory Committee, consist of scientists, engineers and administrators from member states. The IAEA publishes both standards and recommendations, in addition to books on nuclear science and technology written by consultants or groups of experts invited from member states.
ICRU. Created in 1925, the ICRU develops international recommendations regarding quantities and units of radiation and radioactivity, procedures for their measurement and application in clinical radiology and radiobiology, and physical data needed to ensure uniformity in reporting on their applications.
The ICRU’s operating policy states: “It is the responsibility of national organizations to introduce their own detailed technical procedures for the development and maintenance of standards. However, it urges that all countries adhere as closely as possible to the internationally recommended basic concepts of radiation quantities and units.”
The ICRU consists of members, senior advisers, consultants and representatives of report committees in 12 countries. The report committees consist of scientists, engineers and physicians—primarily from colleges and universities, with some from government and industry.
Who Sets Radiation Standards?
International Standards Three international organizations recommend radiation protection levels: the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU).
ICRP. The Second International Congress of Radiology established the ICRP in 1928. Although initially concerned with the safety of medical radiology, it now covers safety for all sources of radiation. Its mission is “to deal with the basic principles of radiation protection and to leave to various national protection committees the responsibility of introducing the detailed technical regulations, recommendations or codes of practice best suited to the needs of their individual countries.”
The ICRP is the principal source of recommendations on safe radiation levels. Members come from many countries and include scientists, physicians and engineers.
The ICRP issued its most recent full set of recommendations in 1990. The next full set is planned for release in 2007.
IAEA. Organized in 1956 to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the IAEA is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
The IAEA applies radiation protection standards to its own operations and to operations it assists or with which it is directly associated. Countries receiving assistance are required to observe relevant health and safety measures prescribed by the organization.
All of the 124 member nations have representatives in the IAEA General Conference, the governing body that determines policy. Smaller executive bodies within the IAEA, such as the Scientific Advisory Committee, consist of scientists, engineers and administrators from member states. The IAEA publishes both standards and recommendations, in addition to books on nuclear science and technology written by consultants or groups of experts invited from member states.
ICRU. Created in 1925, the ICRU develops international recommendations regarding quantities and units of radiation and radioactivity, procedures for their measurement and application in clinical radiology and radiobiology, and physical data needed to ensure uniformity in reporting on their applications.
The ICRU’s operating policy states: “It is the responsibility of national organizations to introduce their own detailed technical procedures for the development and maintenance of standards. However, it urges that all countries adhere as closely as possible to the internationally recommended basic concepts of radiation quantities and units.”
The ICRU consists of members, senior advisers, consultants and representatives of report committees in 12 countries. The report committees consist of scientists, engineers and physicians—primarily from colleges and universities, with some from government and industry.
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