In view of the changes that have occurred in radiation protection in recent years, IRPA has felt a growing need to be more proactive in its communications with the ICRP. To this end, a special session at IRPA10 was devoted to discussion of the concept of “controllable dose” as a basis for modification of radiation protection guidance. In a paper published over a year ago, ICRP Chairman Prof. Roger Clarke, had proposed changes in ICRP guidance under this heading as a means to provide better harmonization of approaches used for occupational, public and medical radiation protection. The intent of this special session was to offer the member societies of IRPA an opportunity to provide feedback on the practical implications of the proposal.

Following a brief introductory presentation by Prof. Clarke, several speakers made brief presentations summarizing the view of their society memberships on this issue. It was clear from these presentations and the discussion that followed that the ICRP will have to devote considerable thought to this question, and Prof. Clarke even indicated that the term “controllable dose” might be abandoned. Following the Congress, a 72 page document presenting the views of the societies that participated was forwarded to the ICRP for review. It is anticipated that this will begin a more active exchange of views with the ICRP. All contributions have been collected and published as an  IRPA Report #1 (193.05 KB).

The 2000 meeting of the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements will be hosted by, Dr. Dan Jones, the National Accelerator Centre of South Africa in Capetown, 29 October - 4 November. The meeting is planned to permit the Commission to 1) Act on draft reports submitted for Commission review, 2) Examine the current status of efforts underway in ICRU subgroups, 3) Consider the immediate future course of the Commission's program and 4) Act on various other matters related to Commission operation.

During the course of the 2000 meeting, the Commission is expected to review the status of the work underway in the many report committees engaged in the preparation of reports. Four draft reports are essentially complete:

• Prescribing, Recording and Reporting Photon Beam Therapy (Supplement to ICRU Report 50) [ICRU Report 62]
• Nuclear Data for Neutron and Proton Radiotherapy and for Radiation Protection [ICRU Report 63]
• Dosimetry of High-Energy Photon Beams Based on Standards of Absorbed Dose to Water [ICRU Report 64]
• Quantities, Units and Terms in Radioecology

Additional details can be found on the ICRU Web Site: www.icru.org

Dr. Alastair McKinlay, Head of the Physical Dosimetry Department at the National Radiological Protection Board, has been appointed Chairman of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

Dr. McKinlay has been a member of ICNIRP for the past eight years and its Vice-chairman since 1996. He is the past Chairman of the United Kingdom National Committee of the International Commission on Illumination which deals with the science and engineering of light and lighting. Dr. McKinlay has acted as advisor on various international working groups on non-ionizing radiation, including those of the World Health Organization and the European Commission, and he chaired a European Commission Expert Group on mobile phones and human health in 1996. This Group set out a blueprint for European research in this area some of which is now being carried out under the EU 5th Framework Program of Scientific Research.

ICNIRP is an independent scientific organization, comprising over 30 independent experts in medicine, biology, epidemiology, physics, engineering and optics. Further information about ICNIRP can be found on its web site at www.icnirp.de. It is officially recognized by the World Health Organization as the international body for providing guidance and advice on the health hazards of non-ionizing radiation. This includes topical areas of public concern such as mobile phones, base stations, and power lines, along with optical radiation, for example ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial sources, and from lasers.

ICNIRP develops international guidelines on limiting exposure to non-ionizing radiation which are based on comprehensive expert reviews of published scientific studies and establishes principles of non-ionizing radiation protection for formulating international and national research programmes. The ICNIRP exposure guidelines for protecting the public from the adverse health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields have recently been endorsed by the European Commission and recommended for adoption within the member states of the European Union (EU).

Information: Liz Francis (telephone 01235-822744). Email. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

One of the important aspects of IRPA10 was the selection of a new Executive Council. The new E.C. officers are: Geoff Webb (UK), President; Phil Metcalf (South Africa), Vice-President; Leopoldo Arranz (Spain), Vice-President for Congress Affairs, Jacques Lochard (France), Executive Officer; Frank Massé (USA), Treasurer; and Dick Griffith (USA), Publications Director.

Newly elected council members are: Shohei Kato, (Japan); Rodolfo Touzet, (Argentina), and Christian Wernli, (Switzerland). Mr. Kato distinguished himself as Secretary General of the IRPA10 Interntaional Congress Organizing Committee, Mr. Touzet will bring valuable participation from Latin America, and Mr. Wernli continues the long standing representation of the German-Swiss radiation Protection Society. They join continuing members David Cancio, (Spain); William Mills, (USA) and Jack Valentin, (Sweden). More details on the E.C. members can be found in IRPA Administration - Executive Council.

New IRPA Executive Council

IRPA extends its appreciation to outgoing President, Klaus Duftschmid, for his excellent leadership over the last four years.. Special recognition was given to Executive Officer Chris Huyskens and Treasurer Rupprecht Maushart on their retirement after long service on the E.C.. Chris served as Executive Officer for 12 years, and Rupprecht was one of the founding fathers of IRPA which was established in 1965. Council member Sukehiko Koga finished his 8 year term during which he helped prepare for two very successsful international Congresses.