Consultation on the application of ICRP’s 2007 Recommendations to the UK

21 August 2008

The Board of the Health Protection Agency is consulting stakeholders on its response to the latest recommendations* of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

The Agency has an important role in advising on protection standards against ionising radiation. Its advice on the application of these new international recommendations will assist the future development of radiation protection in the UK, at a time of renewed interest in nuclear power.

For many years ICRP's recommendations have formed the basis for radiological protection standards in most parts of the world, including the UK. In 2007 ICRP issued new recommendations for a system of radiological protection.

Much new information has accumulated on the health effects of ionising radiation since ICRP's previous recommendations. Following an extensive review of all the evidence, no change in the overall estimate of ionising radiation risk is made by ICRP. It has however taken the opportunity to simplify the system of protection and to strengthen its advice in some areas.

This consultation document provides the Agency's proposed response to the 2007 ICRP Recommendations. The consultation is directed principally towards radiological protection professionals and to those in Government and non-Government bodies with specific responsibility in this area.

Key elements in this consultation document include:

- A recommendation that the linear no threshold model remains the basis for setting radiological protection standards and criteria, because it represents the scientific consensus.

- A recommendation that no changes are made to the dose limits in the UK.

- HPA is recommending a maximum dose constraint for the public of 0.15 mSv per year for new nuclear power stations and is consulting on whether this constraint should be extended to the design of all new sources.

The consultation period will last three months. Following consideration of the comments received during the consultation, the Agency will issue formal advice and recommendations.

Press enquiries: contact the HPA Press Office at the Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards on 01235 822744/5 or email Chilton.pressoffice@hpa.org.uk

Reference

*HPA Advice on the Application of ICRP's 2007 Recommendations to the UK. The Consultation Document is available on the HPA website.

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Notes to Editors

1. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is a non-governmental body established in 1928 as a Commission linked to the International Congress of Radiology (www.icrp.org). Formally, its parent organisation remains the International Society of Radiology but ICRP's work has widened from protection in medicine to all aspects of protection against ionising radiation. ICRP is registered as an independent charity in the UK and is financed mainly by voluntary contributions from international and national bodies.

ICRP comprises a Commission and five standing Committees. The Commission consists of twelve members and a Chairman. They are elected by the Commission itself under rules which are subject to approval by the International Society of Radiology. ICRP has a paid Secretary.

ICRP issues recommendations for a system of radiological protection together with reports on more specialised topics. ICRP's recommendations and reports form the basis for radiological protection worldwide. The recommendations, particularly, provide the scientific consensus and radiological protection philosophy underpinning the European Basic Safety Standards, issued by the European Union, and the International Basic Safety Standards, issued under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Current systems of protection are based on the recommendations issued by ICRP in 1991 as Publication 60. Following an extensive period of consultation, ICRP issued revised recommendations for a system of protection in late 2007 as Publication 103. Some members of senior HPA staff were involved in the revision.

2. HPA has a function to advise on the radiological protection of the community (or any part of the community) from risks connected with ionising radiation. This function was inherited from one of HPA's predecessor organisations (NRPB) which was also specifically required, under a Direction from the Health Ministers, to advise on the applicability to the UK of recommendations issued by ICRP.

3. The Health Protection Agency is an independent organisation dedicated to protecting people's health in the United Kingdom. It does this by providing impartial advice and authoritative information on health protection issues to the public, to professionals and to government. The Agency combines public health, biological, chemical and radiological expertise, research and emergency planning in one organisation. It works at international, national, regional and local levels and has links with many other organisations around the world. This means it can respond quickly and effectively to new and existing national and global threats to health.

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Last reviewed: 21 August 2008