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Is ICRP guidance on the use of reference levels consistent?
Per Hedemann-Jensen1, Andrew C McEwan
1Danish Decommissioning, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark. p.hedemann@dekom.dk
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 103 guidelines present inconsistent application of reference levels for radiation exposure. This review highlights conceptual differences between dose constraints and reference levels, impacting optimization strategies in emergency and existing exposure situations.
Area of Science:
- Radiological protection
- Radiation safety standards
- Nuclear policy
Background:
- ICRP 103 replaced ICRP 60, stating no fundamental changes.
- Inconsistent application of reference levels noted in ICRP 103, 109, and 111.
- Focus on residual doses after protection strategies in emergency/existing exposure situations is emphasized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of reference levels in radiological protection.
- To identify inconsistencies in ICRP 103 and related publications regarding reference levels.
- To clarify the conceptual differences between dose constraints and reference levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ICRP 103 recommendations.
- Review of related ICRP publications (ICRP 109, ICRP 111).
- Examination of the application of reference levels in emergency and existing exposure situations.
Main Results:
- Inconsistent application of reference levels in emergency and existing exposure situations.
- Potential redundancy of reference levels if all exposures require optimization.
- Conceptual differences between dose constraints and reference levels appear not fully recognized in ICRP 103.
Conclusions:
- ICRP 103 and related publications exhibit inconsistencies in the use of reference levels.
- Reference levels should be determined within the optimization process, not as fixed, external values.
- Clarification is needed on the distinct roles of dose constraints and reference levels in radiological protection.
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