RER/9/117 "Upgrading National Capabilities for Controlling Public Exposure"
Regional Workshop on Regulatory Control of Radioactive Discharges to the Environment, 17-21 June 2013, Warsaw, Poland
Background
Human activities involving the use of radiation and radioactive substances can cause radiation exposure to the public and the environment. Some of those activities can elevate radiation levels beyond those that naturally occur in the environment from various sources. The use of radioactive materials in industry, agriculture and research is expanding worldwide. The distinguishing feature of the TC European region is the broad use the nuclear power. This necessitates an adequate development of national and regional capabilities in controlling of radioactive discharges. Transboundary issues of public exposure require the wide-ranging regional cooperation. The fostering of the international cooperation and exchange of information on these topics is an important component of the TC programme.
The exposure of members of the public should be regulated in accordance with the International Safety Standards and national legislation. To this end, project RER/9/117 is designed to support IAEA Member States in upgrading national and regional capabilities in these areas.
Purpose
The purpose of the workshop, organised in collaboration with the Government of Poland through the Central Laboratory for Radiological Protection, was to foster the sharing of technical knowledge and respective experiences among participating Member States on the regulatory control of radioactive discharges to the environment.
Activities & Outcome
The Workshop was attended by a total of 30 representatives from regulatory bodies and technical support organizations from 24 Member States of the Europe Region. Presentations and group discussions covered a broad range of topics related to current and perspective national and regional programmes for the regulatory control of radioactive discharges to the environment in planned exposure situations, with emphasis on IAEA Safety Standards and national experiences.
The lively discussions during the workshop led to the conclusion that further development of Member States' capability to control the radioactive discharges to the environment has to be promoted, including the provision of modern sampling/measuring equipment, the availability of modern and robust dose/radiological impact modeling techniques, and the continuous training of the competent staff.
