IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency PGEC Part IV The International System of Radiation Protection and the Regulatory Framework Module IV 1.3. The role of International organizations in Radiation Protection – UNSCEAR/UNEP Postgraduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources

IAEA  This session covers the mission of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) Overview

IAEA In 1955 the General Assembly of the United Nations established by Resolution 913 (X) a Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in response to widespread concerns regarding the effects of radiation on human health and the environment A small secretariat in Vienna, which is functionally linked to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), organizes annual sessions and manages the preparation of documents for the Committee's scrutiny. UNSCEAR

IAEA  At that time, nuclear weapons were being tested in the atmosphere and radioactive debris was dispersing throughout the environment, reaching humans through intake of air, water and foods  The Committee was requested to collect, assemble and evaluate information on the levels of ionizing radiation and radionuclides from all sources (natural and produced by man) and to study their possible effects on man and the environment UNSCEAR

IAEA  Treaties now ban tests of weapons in the atmosphere, but many other exposures to radiation occur from other sources and practices. Note: the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) will be described in a later session.  Nuclear reactors are used in many countries to produce electrical energy, and medical x ‑ ray examinations and procedures are very common throughout the world UNSCEAR

IAEA  One of the most significant sources of exposure is natural radiation that has always existed on earth and to which everyone is exposed  Natural radiation includes cosmic rays that enter the atmosphere from outer space, and potassium, uranium, radium, radon and other radionuclides in soil, water, foods and the human body UNSCEAR

IAEA  Governments and organizations throughout the world (such as the ICRP) rely on the Committee's estimates as the scientific basis for evaluating radiation risk, establishing radiation protection and safety standards, and regulating radiation sources UNSCEAR

IAEA ArgentinaAustraliaBelgiumBrazilCanadaChinaEgypt 21 Member States PolandRussiaSlovakiaSudanSweden United Kingdom United States of America AmericaFranceGermanyIndiaIndonesiaJapanMexicoPeru

IAEA  The Scientific Committee’s work is done on behalf of all Member States of the United Nations and the international scientific community  The assessments by the Scientific Committee are representative of all regions of the world since the information is compiled from its questionnaires on natural, occupational and medical sources of exposure, sent to all Member States  Many have set up detailed governmental data ‑ collecting systems to provide the information UNSCEAR

IAEA  The Committee produces the UNSCEAR Reports, which are detailed reports to the General Assembly  These reports are regarded by the scientific community as authoritative and balanced reviews  They are increasingly used by organizations and individual scientists as source of valuable information UNSCEAR Reports

IAEA  The reports review exposures from natural radiation sources, from nuclear power production and nuclear tests, exposures from medical radiation diagnosis and treatment, and from occupational exposure to radiation  They include also detailed studies on cancer induced by radiation, on the mechanisms of the development of cancer and the body's repair systems against it, further on the risks of hereditary diseases induced by exposure to radiation, and on the combined effects of radiation and other (for instance chemical) agents UNSCEAR Reports

IAEA UNSCEAR 2008 Report: "Sources and effects of ionizing radiation" UNSCEAR 2010 Report: "Summary of low-dose radiation effects on health" Recent UNSCEAR Reports

IAEA "SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION", two volumes comprising 1300 pages, submitted to the General Assembly in October 2000 Recent UNSCEAR Reports

IAEA "HEREDITARY EFFECTS OF RADIATION" submitted to the General Assembly in October 2001 Recent UNSCEAR Reports

IAEA Other UNSCEAR Reports

IAEA Where to Get More Information  TRAINING COURSES SERIES No. 18  TRAINING COURSES SERIES No. 18 Postgraduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources Standard Syllabus 