Annals of the ICRP最新文献

The present system of radiological protection has evolved with the advancement of science; evolution of ethical and societal values; and the lessons of our individual, collective, and historical experience. In communicating with each other and members of the public, words are often not enough to completely relay thoughts, ideas, or experiences. Art is a shared experience, beyond the spoken language, where many can find common ground. This paper provides several examples of utilising the visual arts, cinema, and popular culture for communication in different contexts, with discussion of how each relates to the ethical values of the system of radiological protection. In this way, we find inter-relationships between science, ethics, and experience. Experience improves understanding; empathy, or the awareness and feeling of another's experience, can lead to similar understanding. Drawing on art and the broader human experience will help us improve our communication, promote transparency, and encourage empathy. Through this, we will be more likely to develop trust with stakeholders, which is an essential, yet challenging, aspect of radiological protection.

The concept of lifetime radiation risk of stochastic detrimental health outcomes is important in contemporary radiation protection, being used either to calculate detriment-weighted effective dose or to express risks following radiation accidents or medical uses of radiation. The conventionally applied time-integrated risks of radiation exposure are computed using average values of current population and health statistical data that need to be projected far into the future. By definition, the lifetime attributable risk (AR) is an approximation to more general lifetime risk quantities and is only valid for exposures under 1 Gy. The more general quantities, such as excess lifetime risk (ELR) and risk of exposure-induced cancer, are free of dose range constraints, but rely on assumptions concerning the unknown total radiation effect on demographic and health statistical data, and are more computationally complex than AR. Consideration of highly uncertain competing risks for other radiation-attributed outcomes are required in appropriate assessments of time-integrated risks of specific outcomes following high-dose (>1 Gy) exposures, causing non-linear dose responses in the resulting ELR estimate.Being based on the current population and health statistical data, the conventionally applied time-integrated risks of radiation exposure are: (i) not well suited for projections many years into the future because of the large uncertainties in future secular trends in the population-specific disease rates; and (ii) not optimal for application to atypical groups of exposed persons not well represented by the general population. Specifically, medical patients are atypical in this respect because their prospective risks depend strongly on the original diagnosis, the treatment modality, general cure rates, individual radiation sensitivity, and genetic predisposition. Another situation challenging the application of conventional risk quantities is a projection of occupational radiation risks associated with space flight, both due to higher radiation doses and astronauts' generally excellent health condition due to pre-selection, training, and intensive medical screening.An alternative quantity, named 'radiation-attributed decrease of survival' (RADS), known in past general statistical literature as 'cumulative risk', is recommended here for applications in space and medicine to represent the cumulative radiation risk conditional on survival until a certain age. RADS is only based on the radiation-attributed hazard rendering an insensitivity to competing risks or projections of current population statistics far into the future. Therefore, RADS is highly suitable for assessing semi-personalised radiation risks after radiation exposures from space missions or medical applications of radiation.

Manned space exploration was initiated in China in 1992, and substantial progress has been made. The next step is to build the Chinese Space Station (CSS), which is planned to be launched in 2020. The CSS will provide an on-orbit laboratory for experimental studies including space radiation research. The health risk of space radiation, especially carcinogenesis, is a major concern for long-term space exploration. Establishing a risk assessment system suitable for Chinese astronauts and developing effective countermeasures are major tasks for Chinese space radiobiologists. The Institute of Space Life Sciences, Soochow University has focused on these topics for years. We established cancer models with low-dose-rate exposure of alpha particles, and elucidated a microRNA-TGFβ network regulating bystander effects and a lncRNA-cytoskeleton network regulating genomic instability induced by ionising radiation. We also confirmed the radioresistance of quiescent cells, which inspires a potential strategy to improve individual radioresistance during long-term space travel. However, we believe that a multi-disciplinary strategy must be developed to protect astronauts from highly energised space radiation.

As radiation therapy is needed by approximately 50% of patients with cancer there needs to be ongoing research to ensure that radiation therapy targets the tumour effectively and minimises potential side effects. Major advances in radiation therapy, due to improvements in engineering and computing, have made it more precise, reducing side effects and improving cancer control. Patients need to be informed of its risks, both short and long term, to enable them to be active participants in their cancer treatment path.

Japanese astronauts started staying at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2009, with each stay lasting for approximately 6 months. In total, seven Japanese astronauts have stayed at the ISS eight times. As there is no law for protection against space radiation exposure of astronauts in Japan, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) created its own rules and has applied them successfully to radiation exposure management for Japanese ISS astronauts, collaborating with ISS international partners. Regarding dose management, JAXA has implemented several dose limits to protect against both the stochastic effects of radiation and dose-dependent tissue reactions. The scope of the rules includes limiting exposure during spaceflight, exposure during several types of training, and exposure from astronaut-specific medical examinations. We, therefore, are tasked with calculating the dose from all exposure types applied to the dose limits annually for each astronaut. Whenever a Japanese astronaut is at the ISS, we monitor readings of an instrument in real-time to confirm that the exposed dose is below the set limits, as the space radiation environment can fluctuate in relation to solar activity.

Fundamental estimates of radon-associated health risk have been provided by epidemiological studies of miners. In total, approximately 15 studies have been conducted worldwide since the 1960s. These results have contributed directly to radiological protection against radon. The present article summarises the main results, with a focus on analyses of miners exposed more recently, estimates of radon lifetime attributable risk, and interaction between radon and smoking. The potential for the upcoming Pooled Uranium Miner Analysis project to further improve our knowledge is discussed.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection's (ICRP) system to protect the living components of the environment is designed to provide a broad and practical framework across different exposure situations. The framework recognises the need to be able to demonstrate an adequate level of protection in relation to planned exposure situations, whilst also providing an ability to manage existing and emergency situations in an appropriate way. In all three exposure situations, the release of radionuclides into the natural environment leads to exposures of non-human biota (wildlife), as well as having the potential for exposures of the public. How the key principles of the ICRP system of radiological protection apply in each of these exposure situations will be discussed. Using examples, we will demonstrate how the overall approach provides a mechanism for industry to assess and demonstrate compliance with the environmental protection objectives of relevant (national) legislation, and to meet stakeholder expectations that radiological protection of the environment is taken into consideration in accordance with international best practice. However, several challenges remain, and these will be discussed in the context of the need for additional guidance on the protection of the environment.

At the request of the Main Commission of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), Task Group 107 (TG107) was set up to consider the issue of radiological protection of the patient in veterinary medicine. TG107, who authored this article, brought together information relating to the use of diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology in veterinary medicine. A number of specific areas were identified that appeared to be appropriate for attention by ICRP. These included the use of dose quantities and units, the need for re-evaluation of stochastic and deterministic risks from ionising radiation in animals, and the growing use of imaging and therapeutic equipment for animals that is little different from that available to humans. TG107 unanimously recommended that it was both appropriate and timely for ICRP to consider and advise on these issues, and the Main Commission agreed. This paper summarises the findings of TG107.