A Holistic Approach to Assessment of Population Exposure to Radiation: Challenges and Initiatives of a Regulatory Authority

A Holistic Approach to Assessment of Population Exposure to Radiation: Challenges and Initiatives of a Regulatory Authority

ABSTRACTA regulatory authority for radiation safety should continuously evaluate and improve the national safety framework, in line with current requirements and standards. In this context, the Greek Atomic Energy Commission initiated a series of concerted actions. The radiation dose to the populati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health physics (1958) Vol. 115; no. 4; pp. 474 - 489
Main Authors: Askounis, P, Boziari, A, Carinou, E, Drikos, G, Economides, S, Hourdakis, C.J, Housiadas, C, Kalathaki, M, Kamenopoulou, V, Karabetsos, E, Kehagia, K, Kolovou, M, Koukorava, C, Lasithiotakis, M, Makridakis, T, Maltezos, A, Mitrakos, D, Nikolaki, M, Nikolaou, M, Nicolaou, P, Petri, A, Potiriadis, C, Raftopoulos, S, Simantirakis, G, Tafili, V, Veltsos, C, Vogiatzi, S, Xarchoulakos, D.C, Zourari, K
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States by the Health Physics Society 01-10-2018
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
Subjects:
Construction Materials
Drinking Water
Dwellings
Erythema
Exposure
Eye lens
Greece
Holistic medicine
Human exposure
Humans
Information systems
Irradiance
Lens, Crystalline - radiation effects
Nuclear energy
Occupational exposure
Occupational Exposure - analysis
Occupational health
Radiation
Radiation Dosage
Radiation Monitoring - methods
Radiation Protection - methods
Radiation Protection - standards
Radioisotopes
Radon
Radon - analysis
Safety
Sunbathing
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tanning
Ultraviolet radiation
Ultraviolet Rays
Water Pollutants, Radioactive
Greece
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Summary:ABSTRACTA regulatory authority for radiation safety should continuously evaluate and improve the national safety framework, in line with current requirements and standards. In this context, the Greek Atomic Energy Commission initiated a series of concerted actions. The radiation dose to the population due to public and medical exposures was assessed. The assessment of dose due to public exposure was based on measurements of radon concentrations in dwellings, radionuclide concentrations in environmental samples, and air dose rates; the assessment of dose due to medical exposure was based on dose measurements for typical examinations or procedures and data on their frequency. The mean effective dose to a member of the population was found to be 4.5 mSv (1.8 mSv and 2.7 mSv from medical and public exposures, respectively). Regarding occupational exposure, aircrew dose assessment, eye lens monitoring, and the national dose registry were significantly improved. With respect to artificial tanning (sun beds), the ultraviolet radiation produced was assessed and the practices followed were observed. Results demonstrated exceedance of the 0.3 W m erythema effective irradiance limit set in European Union standards by 63.5% of the sun beds measured, along with general noncompliance with standards. An overarching activity was the upgrade of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission information system in order to collect and disseminate radiation data electronically, launch a networking strategy for interaction with stakeholders, and facilitate the process of regulatory control. In response to the above findings, regulatory actions have been initiated.
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ISSN:0017-9078
1538-5159
DOI:10.1097/HP.0000000000000912