Research and analysis

Ionising radiation: risks from exposure

This report (HPA-RPD-066) provides a brief commentary on the basis for current radiation risk estimates.

Documents

HPA-RPD-066: risks from ionising radiation

Details

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) was required to advise government and other stakeholders on the application of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations in the UK. Such advice is based on an objective review of the scientific evidence and its application in the development of standards, informed by direct involvement in epidemiological and biological research as well as substantial experience in setting protection criteria.

This report provides a brief commentary on the basis for current radiation risk estimates, referring to the comprehensive reviews undertaken by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and to the assessments that form the basis for recommendations issued by the ICRP.

HPA endorsed the approaches adopted by the ICRP in developing an internationally agreed system for protection in various situations of exposure. HPA presented the views of the vast majority of people working on radiological protection throughout the world.

Published 1 April 2010