The Documents of the Health Protection Agency series are published on this website.

For the convenience of those interested specifically in issues concerning ionising and non-ionising radiation, chemical and/or environmental hazards, the Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (RCE) series on these topics are also listed here. These will include reports of the Advisory Groups on Ionising and Non-ionising Radiation.

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• Health Effects of Exposure to Ultrasound and Infrasound RCE 14
  In September 2004, prior to its incorporation in the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the Board of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) agreed that the independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) should be asked to undertake a review of ultrasound (frequencies greater than 20 kHz) and infrasound (frequencies less than 20 Hz) relevant to any possible health effects.
  Added/updated: 2 March 2010
  
• The Impact on Health of Emissions to Air from Municipal Waste Incinerators RCE 13
  The Health Protection Agency has reviewed research undertaken to examine the suggested links between emissions from municipal waste incinerators and effects on health.
  Added/updated: 22 February 2010
  
• Application of the 2007 Recommendations of the ICRP to the UK RCE 12
  The Health Protection Agency (HPA) advises UK bodies with responsibility for protection against radiation on the applicability to the UK of recommendations issued by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).
  Added/updated: 17 September 2009
  
• Radon and Public Health RCE 11
  The Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation advises the Health Protection Agency on the biological and medical effects of ionising radiation relevant to human health. The Advisory Group set up a Subgroup on Radon Epidemiology, with a remit to review the evidence of the effects of exposure to radon and its decay products on health, as relevant to the population of the UK. This is the report prepared by the Subgroup on Radon Epidemiology.
  Added/updated: 1 June 2009
  
• High Dose Radiation Effects and Tissue Injury RCE 10
  This report is based on work conducted by the AGIR Subgroup on High Dose Radiation and Tissue Effects. The report reviews the scientific and medical evidence of the effects of exposure to high doses of ionising radiation and what health detriment these effects bring about.
  Added/updated: 19 March 2009
  
• Protection of Pregnant Patients during Diagnostic Medical Exposures to Ionising Radiation RCE 9
  This document provides information on the health effects that are likely to occur in the embryo or fetus following exposure to ionising radiation during pregnancy and practical guidance on how and when to prevent or reduce unnecessary fetal exposures when pregnant women are referred for diagnostic medical procedures involving X-rays or radionuclides.
  Added/updated: 2 June 2009
  
• Radiological Protection Objectives for the Land-based Disposal of Solid Radioactive Wastes RCE 8
  The purpose of this document is to provide advice, in particular to government departments, on the radiological protection objectives to be applied to the disposal of all types of solid radioactive waste, including wastes arising in gaseous or liquid form which will be converted to solid form prior to disposal.
  Added/updated: 16 April 2009
  
• Protection of Patients and Volunteers Undergoing MRI Procedures (RCE-7)
  This document provides advice on limiting the exposure of patients and volunteers to the static magnetic fields, time-varying electromagnetic fields and acoustic noise from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  Added/updated: 5 November 2009
  
• Static Magnetic Fields (RCE-6)
  This report considers the available scientific evidence from studies of people, animals and cells relating to health effects from exposure to strong static magnetic fields. Such fields are used in certain industries and scientific research facilities, and in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Recommendations for further work are given.
  Added/updated: 25 February 2010
  
• Guidance on the application of dose coefficients for the embryo, fetus and breastfed infant in dose assessments for members of the public (RCE-5)
  This document provides guidance on the application of these dose coefficients in relation to different exposure situations. Information is given on the dose coefficients and the related guidance previously given by the ICRP and the National Radiological Protection Board.
  Added/updated: 1 September 2008
  
• Review of Risks from Tritium. Report of the independent Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation (RCE-4)
  Report of the independent Advisory Group on lonising radiation
  Added/updated: 1 September 2008
  
• Comparison of Processes and Procedures for Deriving Exposure Criteria for the Protection of Human Health: Chemicals, Ionising Radiation and Non-ionising Radiation (RCE-3)
  Added/updated: 1 September 2008
  
• Dose Criteria for the Designation of Radioactively Contaminated Land (RCE-2)
  This report details the Health Protection Agency’s advice on the designation of radioactively contaminated land in response to proposals from Defra for the new regulations on the clean-up of contaminated sites.
  Added/updated: 17 August 2009
  
• Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, Melatonin and the Risk of Breast Cancer (RCE-1)
  This report reviews the hypothesis that chronic exposure to EMFs may increase the risk of breast cancer, via a reduction in secretion of the hormone melatonin from the pineal gland.
  Added/updated: 17 August 2009