IAEA Continuing to Hone Radiation Protection Recommendations
Six meetings of international experts have been held as part of the Action Plan on Nuclear Safety that followed the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant crisis.
The sixth International Experts' Meeting on radiation protection stemming from IAEA's Action Plan on Nuclear Safety has concluded, with the participating recommending that countries develop and implement national strategies for maintaining competence in radiation protection, and that people affected by radiological incidents should have the right to be involved in the response. IAEA developed the action plan after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant crisis in Japan. More than 500 participants representing 75 IAEA member states and 12 international organizations attended the week-long meeting.
The plan outlined 12 areas in which nuclear safety worldwide should be strengthened. The sixth meeting provided a forum to exchange information and experience in:
- Identifying the key radiation protection issues to be addressed by the international community
- Enhancing long-term strategies in response to nuclear or radiological accidents
- Assisting member states in reviewing and updating their radiation protection programs
- Supporting IAEA's work in radiation protection
As for involving people affected by incidents in response activities, "Their lives have been directly affected, and therefore they have a right to full involvement in the design, implementation, and review of the effectiveness of the measures being implemented to reduce their radiation dose," said Sigurdur Magnusson, the meeting's chair.
Participants also addressed risk communication issues and how to convey radiation exposure information effectively and understandably to the public.