scientific and ethical basis of protection systems

Abstract

- EMF-Portal, Nov 20, 2017 From November 8-10, 2017, the two international organizations responsible for developing the systems of radiation protection worldwide, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) exchanged information and views on the scientific basis, ethical basis, and basic principles of protection. The objectives of this meeting in Munich, Germany, were to increase mutual understanding of the approaches to protection, to reach a common understanding of the state of the systems of protection and to explore possibilities for continued collaboration. Both organizations have reached an agreement in principle to strengthen communication and collaboration between them and with other organizations with similar interests. There are many commonalities between the systems of protection used for ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. There are also differences, most stemming from different biological effects. Ionizing radiation can cause stochastic and deterministic effects, while most effects due to exposure from non-ionizing radiation appear to be deterministic. However, stochastic effects have been demonstrated due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which bridges the ionizing and non-ionizing parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. For ionizing radiation there is a greater emphasis on optimization of protection even at low levels of exposure, whereas for non-ionizing radiation there is a greater emphasis on keeping exposures below thresholds for observed effects. You can download the official statement on the meeting from the ICNIRP homepage: icnirp.org My note: The statement above seems to reflect a fundamental misunderstanding about the biological effects of non-ionizing radiation. It is no wonder that ICNIRP's radiofrequency guidelines are inadequate to protect human health.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

A joint meeting (Munich, Germany; Nov 8–10, 2017) between ICRP and ICNIRP exchanged views on the scientific/ethical basis and principles of protection, aiming to increase mutual understanding, reach a common understanding of the state of protection systems, and explore continued collaboration. The organizations agreed in principle to strengthen communication and collaboration, and noted commonalities and differences between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation protection systems (e.g., emphasis on optimization vs keeping exposures below thresholds).

Outcomes measured

• radiation protection principles
• scientific and ethical basis of protection systems
• communication/collaboration between ICRP and ICNIRP

Limitations

• Not a primary research study; describes a meeting and general statements rather than presenting new empirical data.
• No specific exposure metrics (frequency, intensity, duration) or health endpoints are reported.

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.9)
  Focuses on ICNIRP and radiation protection guideline principles and collaboration with ICRP.

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