Research and innovation supporting the implementation of the revised European Basic Safety Standards

Transcription

1 Research and innovation supporting the implementation of the revised European Basic Safety Standards Géza Sáfrány and Sisko Salomaa National Public Health Center National Research Directorate for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene, HUNGARY and Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, FINLAND NordicNORM 2015 Workshop, September Helsinki, Finland

2 Task 2.7 Research and innovation supporting the implementation of the revised European Basic Safety Standards (NRIRR, STUK, IRSN, BfS, VUJE, ISS, RIVM, IMROH, UT; LTP: UJV) Bring together the elements of the European scientific communities in the fields of radiation effects and risks, radioecology, nuclear emergency preparedness, dosimetry and medical radiation protection, whose joint expertise is essential to continue the development of radiation protection knowledge in a multidisciplinary mode to reduce further the uncertainties in radiation protection. Strengthen integrative activities between the various areas of expertise, in particular biology, biophysics, epidemiology, dosimetry and modelling as well as fostering the use of existing infrastructures and education and training activities in radiation protection. Due attention will be paid to the communication of knowledge from research and innovation conducted within CONCERT and outside laying the scientific basis for the revised European Basic Safety Standards (Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionizing radiation).

3 This will be done to help those who are involved in the transposition and implementation of the Basic Safety Standards, which will require changes in national regulations and practices. But, CONCERT activities should concentrate on research, identifying areas where research would be useful, as well as of those where no additional research is needed at this point. Communicate with all stakeholders, including the professional organizations concerned with radiation protection, the regulatory organizations across Europe, the public and media where necessary, and the international community of scientific, technical, legal and other professional experts in radiation protection. Further, topics and priorities for research will be identified in workshops bringing together the research platforms and national authorities and regulators. In particular, HERCA and EURATOM Article 31 group of experts will be consulted.

4 Key activities Organizing meetings with EC and national authorities, regulators and Technical Support Organizations (TSOs) to explain the scientific basis of the BSS and to consult on research and innovation needs related to the revision of BSS and its implementation in member states Identifying research needs at national level and identifying priorities for European R&D Providing input to Joint Programming of integrative research actions (WP3)

5 Why do we need research in radiation protection and implementation of BSS? BSS is based on ICRP Publication 103, (ICRP, The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 103. Ann. ICRP 37 (2 4)), that was published about 8 years ago. ICRP Publication 103 was based on the latest available scientific information of the biology and physics of radiation exposure. ICRP 103 updated, for instance, the radiation and tissue weighting factors, suggested new dose limits for the lens of the eye. It maintained the three fundamental principles of radiological protection: justification, optimization, and the application of dose limits. Since the publication of ICRP 103 new scientific data emerged, especially on the field of low dose research.

6 Some of the new epidemiological data supported the linear non threshold model of stochastic effects and even suggested that the risk at low doses might be higher than calculated from LNT model

7 Childhood leukemia incidence in the vicinity of nuclear power plants The increased leukemia incidence ws unrelated to the radioactive release of power plants

8 Increased cancer risks related to diagnostic radiology examinations Leukemia Brain tumor

9 Communicate with all stakeholders Contacts with HERCA are established and possibilities for joint activities searched. Contacts with Art. 31 group will be established and possibilities for joint activities searched (possibly a joint meeting/session by CONCERT and the Art. 31 group discussing the implementation of BSS in member states). Contacts with RISKAUDIT IRSN/GRS International provides consultancy services in the field of nuclear safety and radiation protection. Yann Billarand from IRSN is the contact point between RISKAUDIT and CONCERT Task 2.7.

10 Participation and organization of BSS related workshops Harmonization of European efforts on radon 1st European Workshop on National Radon Action (Paris, F, 30 September 02 October, 2014) HERCA 2nd European Workshop on National Radon Action (Geneva, CH, October 2015) HERCA Implementation of Radiation Protection Expert and Radiation Protection Officer (Paris, F., 6 8 July, 2015) HERCA Regional Training Course on Patient Dosimetry in Diagnostic Radiology, ( November 23 27, 2015, Budapest, Hungary ), IAEA NordicNORM 2015 Workshop September Helsinki, Finland RISKAUDIT Workshop on 1 2 December, 2015., Brussels, B.,

11 Identifying research needs at national level and identifying priorities for European R&D Survey which CONCERT members are involved in the implementation of BSS Survey what problems arise so far in the national implementation processes Threshold dose of cataract for the public and radiation workers (15 mgy v. 20 mgy) Should we use lower treshold for the public? How can we estimate public lens doses? Pregnant women at workplaces with possibilities to radiation exposure Should it be forbidden for pregnant women to work with ionising radiation? There were not epidemiology studies in several countries (Slovakia, Hungary, etc.) studying radon effects. Methodological guidance for schools or training and education materials related to the medical exposure are highly welcomed. Reference levels for public exposures in an emergency situation are different in different countries. Harmonization is preferable.

12 Providing input to Joint Programming of integrative research actions (WP3) Stimulate and foster scientific excellence, by setting up and co funding advanced research programs with the potential to enhance current knowledge and the scientific evidence base for radiation protection. Radiation protection in medical radiations (repository for patient dosimetry, imaging meta data and bio banking, integrated with health databases), is a very important unresolved issue. The new BSS emphasizes not only the justification of medical exposure but also requirements that concern provision of information to the patient, recording and reporting doses resulting from medical procedures, using diagnostic reference levels and the provision of equipment that provide data on doses. To explore immune and inflammation related mechanisms in the development of radiation induced stochastic effects.

13 Special NORM issue in Hungary The alarm of a radiation detector at the central distributor office of the Hungarian postal Service went on in The office called the National Radiationhygiene Emergency Service run by my institute. Six parcels containing radioactive materials (10.2 µsv/h; Ra 226; Se 75; Na 22), (18.75 µsv/h; Ra 226) were found. All of them were sent abroad.

14 The sender was a mineral collector. The activities exceeded the exemption levels. Rutherfordine is a mineral containing almost pure uranyl carbonate (UO2CO3).

15 The police went on perquisition at the mineral collector and collected nearly 100 kg radioactive minerals. Because the minerals exceeded the exemption level the collector would have needed a special permission to own and store them. Finally, the collector was not punished, but he decided to present the minerals to a museum.

16 Thank you very much for your attention!