EU reports on radiation protection
The European Commission (EC), Directorate-General XII, recently published a synopsis of mid-term reports on radiological impacts on man and the environment. The work was performed as part of the EC's nuclear fission safety research and training programme, and radiation-protection research. The publication represents a new approach to reporting the results of work conducted by the EC's Radiation Protection Research Unit. Instead of publishing reports on their work in full, emphasis is now placed on a detailed scientific report at the mid-term of the contracts and a detailed final report. This offering represents a synopsis of the mid-term report of research results arising from projects supported under the EC's Fourth Framework Programme (FP4) for Research, Technological development and Demonstration (RTD). It includes information on general research in radiological protection and provides basic information and data on which to build a philosophy for the development of radiation protection and the derivation of low-dose-radiation risk. The publication therefore includes studies of the understanding of the mechanisms of radiation action and an evaluation of radiation risks and reduction of exposures. The publication also details studies that looked at how lessons can be learned from past events - particularly with regards to the problems associated with the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident. Attention is given to the restoration of severely contaminated land, emergency-management approaches and data management. The publication includes details of the following areas of the research: - Programme management; - Radiological impact on man and the environment: understanding radiation mechanisms and epidemiology; - Radiological impact on man and the environment: evaluation of radiation risks; - Radiological impact on man and the environment: reduction of exposures; - Mastering events of the past. Finally, the publication reflects on how this research will be continued under the EC's FP5 for RTD, 1998 - 2002.