Dose trends in occupational radiation exposure in Europe results from the ESOREX project

The ESOREX project was initiated in 1997 by the EC DG TREN and it was executed by the BfS/Germany in close co-operation with the State Office for Nuclear Safety/Czech Republic). It consists of surveys on radiation monitoring and exposure carried out in the 30 European states. The study provides comparable descriptions of the national administrative structures used to monitor and register individual occupational radiation exposure and the national dose statistics. The analysis of time series about the occupational radiation exposure in different work sectors allows the evaluation of changes and trends after the transposure of the Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM. From 1996 to 2000 occupational radiation protection led partly to substantial dose reductions, primarily in the nuclear sector and in the sector of natural sources. General industry performs less successfully in the reduction of radiation exposure. Work sectors with traditionally low doses like the medical sector or research and education showed less of a reduction. Yet, the dose reductions in these sectors show that even at levels of low exposures there is still room for improvement and dose reduction.