1. Three years on...Three years on...
...reflections on Publication 103...reflections on Publication 103
Ches MasonChes Mason

2. Why new recommendations?Why new recommendations?
ScienceScience WorkingWorking
hypothesishypothesis
ProtectionProtection
policypolicy
ImplementationImplementation
inconclusive
at low doses
assume LNT
for protection
purposes
regulations,
codes of practice,
and advice
ethical, scientific
and social
considerations
System:
Justification
Optimization
Limitation
Recommended levels:
Dose limits
Constraints
Reference levels
ICRPICRP
territoryterritory
National andNational and
International StandardsInternational Standards

3.  to take account of new biological and physical information
ICRPICRP’’s stated aimss stated aims
 to take account of new biological and physical information
and of trends in the setting of radiation safety standards; and
 to improve and streamline the presentation of the
recommendations.
New radiation and tissue weighting factors
Updated nominal risk factors
 Shift of perspective from ‘process-based’ approach
(practices and interventions) to situation-based approach
(planned exposure situations, existing exposure situations,
emergency exposure situations);
 Greater emphasis on optimization of protection; and
 Replacement of action levels with reference levels

4. What was wrong with Publication 60?What was wrong with Publication 60?
PracticePractice
ICRP 103ICRP 103:: “…“…the distinction between practices and interventionsthe distinction between practices and interventions
may not have been clearly understoodmay not have been clearly understood””
InterventionIntervention
decrease in exposuredecrease in exposure
background dose 1 to a few mSv/ybackground dose 1 to a few mSv/y
increase in exposureincrease in exposure
public limit 1 mSv/ypublic limit 1 mSv/y
threshold of regulationsthreshold of regulations
~ 10~ 10 µµSv/ySv/y
public doses < a few mSv/y seldompublic doses < a few mSv/y seldom
controlled, let alone regulatedcontrolled, let alone regulated

5. What was wrong with Publication 60?What was wrong with Publication 60?
Too many numbers!Too many numbers!
Since, and including, Publication 60, ICRP hadSince, and including, Publication 60, ICRP had
proposed ~ 30 different numerical values forproposed ~ 30 different numerical values for
restrictions on dose in various circumstances.restrictions on dose in various circumstances.
Can these beCan these be ‘‘rationalizedrationalized’’??
Concern about action levelsConcern about action levels
Could the action level concept lead to undesirableCould the action level concept lead to undesirable
inactioninaction? Does it mean? Does it mean ‘‘do nothingdo nothing’’ below the actionbelow the action
level, even though some beneficial actions might belevel, even though some beneficial actions might be
possible?possible?
Problems of classificationProblems of classification
Is building a house a practice?Is building a house a practice?

6. A change inA change in
perspectiveperspective
ICRP 60ICRP 60
PracticePractice
in existingin existing
exposure situationexposure situation
in emergencyin emergency
exposure situationexposure situation
InterventionIntervention
ICRP 103ICRP 103
Planned exposure situationPlanned exposure situation
Existing exposure situationExisting exposure situation
Emergency exposure situationEmergency exposure situation

7. ICRP 103: the unifying paradigmICRP 103: the unifying paradigm
dose
constraint or reference level
avoid this regionavoid this region
optimize protectionoptimize protection
in this regionin this region
ICRP 103ICRP 103:: ““(ICRP) expects that this emphasis on a common approach(ICRP) expects that this emphasis on a common approach……
in all exposure situations will aid application of thein all exposure situations will aid application of the……RecommendationsRecommendations””

8. What is changed?What is changed?
ICRP 60ICRP 60
PracticePractice
ICRP 103ICRP 103
Planned exposure situationPlanned exposure situation
Focus on outcomes
(success of optimization
below dose constraints)
Existing and EmergencyExisting and Emergency
exposure situationsexposure situations
However, this still applies
Focus on regulatory control
(Responsible person)
Justification of the practice
Optimization of protection
Limitation of dose and risk
InterventionIntervention
Focus on organizational control
(Intervening Organization)
Justification of the intervention
Averted dose
Optimization of protection
Focus on outcomes
(residual exposure levels)
Justification? Optimization?
Reference levels?

9. Unifying paradigm vs. detailed applicationUnifying paradigm vs. detailed application
ICRP 103ICRP 103:: ““(The principle of optimization of protection) should be(The principle of optimization of protection) should be
applied in the same manner in all exposure sitapplied in the same manner in all exposure situations.uations.””
Benefit Detriment
Planned exposure
situation
Outcomes from the practice (Unplanned!) radiation
dose to workers and/or
public from the practice
Dose constraints (public) ~ fraction of a mSv
(excludes background)
Existing exposure
situation
(Planned!) reduction in
radiation dose from pathways
subject to remediation
Costs (social and
monetary) of remedial
actions
Reference levels ~ a few mSv
(includes background)

10. Reference level vs. Action levelReference level vs. Action level
dose
number of
people
exposed
Action
level
mean shifts
downwards
slightly
mean shifts
downwards
significantly
Reference
level

11. Bands (mSv) Characteristics Requirements Examples
20 – 100
Sources not under
control.
(Initially) controlled by
action on exposure
pathway.
Reduce doses
(remembering
need for
justification)
Emergency reference
levels.
1 – 20
Usually some benefit
from exposure situation.
Exposures controlled at
source or through action
on exposure pathway.
Optimize
protection
Constraints for public
and occupational
exposure from
practices.
Reference levels in
existing exposure
situations.
< 1
Adventitious exposure
from the operation of
practices.
Monitor exposure
pathways
Constraints for public
exposure from
practices.
Framework for constraints and reference levelsFramework for constraints and reference levels
Does this help?Does this help?

12. Have the problems of classification been solved?Have the problems of classification been solved?
Is building a house a planned exposure situation?Is building a house a planned exposure situation?
What about making building material (concrete) usingWhat about making building material (concrete) using
ash from coalash from coal--fired power stations?fired power stations?
Draft BSS suggests: treat as an existing exposure situation
– use reference levels.
Not solved by ICRP103 alone.
What kinds of mining should be treated asWhat kinds of mining should be treated as
planned exposure situations?planned exposure situations?
Draft BSS suggests: treat mining as an existing exposure
situation, unless (for occupational exposure) the exposure is
directly related to the work, or the exposure level cannot be
reduced below the applicable reference level.

13. Will we be better protected?Will we be better protected?
Possibly not, or not much.Possibly not, or not much.
A greater focus on optimization belowA greater focus on optimization below
dose constraints may reduce doses.dose constraints may reduce doses.
Consideration of remedial action belowConsideration of remedial action below
reference levels may reduce doses.reference levels may reduce doses.
TheThe ‘‘unified paradigmunified paradigm’’ may lead to bettermay lead to better
understanding by the broader communityunderstanding by the broader community

14. Uptake in international and national standardsUptake in international and national standards
IAEAIAEA’’s Draft Basic Safety Standards adoptss Draft Basic Safety Standards adopts
Publication 103 recommendations.Publication 103 recommendations.
Publication of BSS is expected in 2011.Publication of BSS is expected in 2011.
AustraliaAustralia’’s draft national standard adoptss draft national standard adopts
Publication 103 recommendations.Publication 103 recommendations.
Public comment phase is expected early in 2011.Public comment phase is expected early in 2011.
……Have your say!Have your say!