International Safety Standards for Radiation Protection

Abstract

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has proposed safety standards to protect the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation. The recommendations are laid down in a European Directive (Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM) which was presented to the Member States of the European Community. The report requested the different countries to integrate the proposed dose limits, exemption levels, clearance levels, and, in general, the regulations of the European Directive into national law so that compliance with the basic standards is ensured. The recommended limits contained in the directive must be respected, even though the national regulations are allowed to impose more stringent levels, but there is no room for allowing higher, more generous levels.

“Insisting on perfect safety is for people who don’t have the balls to live in the real world.”

Mary Shafer