Guidance on calculating radiation doses received by the embryo, fetus and breastfed infant

31 March 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has today published new guidance on how to calculate radiation doses received by the unborn child and breastfed infants when exposed to environmental radioactivity ingested or inhaled by the mother. 1 This guidance describes how to interpret, in the UK, recent advice published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). 2 Estimates of radiation dose are used to determine what, if any, impact on public health will result from exposure to ionising radiation.

The HPA Guidance covers a range of different situations including chronic intakes of environmental radioactivity by the mother over a year, chronic intakes from solid radioactive waste disposals and short term intakes, e.g. in the event of an accidental release. The guidance advises that doses to embryo, fetus and breastfed infant only need to be calculated explicitly when the unborn child or breastfed infant could receive higher doses than children or adults. It describes the cases where this would apply and also advises how to undertake these calculations.

Press Enquiries only: telephone number 01235 822744/ 822745/ 822876, or email: chilton.pressoffice@hpa.org.uk  

References

1. Guidance on the Application of Dose Coefficients for the embryo, fetus and the breastfed infant in dose assessments for members of the public. Documents of the Health Protection Agency. Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, RCE-5, March 2008. ISBN 978-0-85951-614-3. A free download is available. Printed copy, £21.00 + 10% postage and packing, available from CRCE Information Office (Tel: 01235 822742/822603, email: chiltoninformationoffice@hpa.org.uk  

2. ICRP (2001). Doses to the embryo and fetus from intakes of radionuclides by the mother. ICRP publication 88. Ann ICRP , 31 (1-3).

3. ICRP (2004). Doses to infants from ingestion of radionuclides in mothers' milk.

4. ICRP publication 95. Ann ICRP , 34 (3-4).

Last reviewed: 24 December 2008