Programmreport 2012 - DORIS - Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz

Summary
On behalf of the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) the Federal
Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) awards research grants for projects in the field of radiation protection.
The findings of these projects serve as decision aiding information in the development of radiation protection
regulations as well as in the fulfilment of specific tasks in the field of radiation protection. Planning, technical
and administrative preparation, awarding of contracts, general support as well as the technical evaluation of
research and study projects are tasks of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection. This report provides information
on preliminary (in the form of status reports) and, where applicable, final results of radiation protection
projects within the BMU's Environmental Research Plan for the year 2012.
Preface
Protecting man and the environment from the risk of ionising and non-ionising radiation is one of the most important
responsibilities assigned to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear
Safety (BMU) and to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS). Implementation of these tasks and
in particular the development of radiation protection guidelines and the supervision of the implementation of
nuclear and radiation protection laws by the Federal States is only possible on a broad scientific-technical basis.
Fundamental statements of the problem as well as questions related to the implementation of individual
radiation protection measures have to be investigated and answered. To develop the necessary decision-aiding
tools and for adequate implementation of the tasks, a broad thematic spectrum of investigative projects
must be carried out (Departmental Research Programme).
Introduction
The subject areas of this report will be explained in detail in the following:
One of the primary tasks consists in the assessment and evaluation of natural and artificial radiation exposures
of man and the environment. For example, enrichment processes of natural radioactive substances
(e. g. radon) or emerging trends in the artificial use of radioactive substances and ionising radiation must be
identified and evaluated in a timely fashion so that appropriate measures can be taken to counteract any danger
to man and the environment.
A prerequisite not only for many of the studies but also for proving that dose level values have been kept is
the availability of adequate measurement techniques and dose assessment procedures. The multifaceted and
complicated measurement tasks needed in radiation protection technology require improving existing measurement
techniques, developing new systems and continually checking and adjusting dosimetric models and
data.
The Radiation Protection Ordinance sets forth dose limits for acceptable radiation exposure of the general public,
assuming that exposure below the limit will not give rise to any significant increase in natural radiation risk
based on scientific findings hitherto existing. In the interest of achieving the most comprehensive radiation protection
possible, it is necessary to continually update experience gained and adapt it to the latest standard of
scientific and medical research. In order to attain more reliable evidence of radiation risk, in particular in the
low dose range, the effects of ionising radiation to man must be further examined and evaluated. These
effects can vary considerably depending on the individual. Therefore, procedures for identifying individual radio-sensitivity
have to be developed.
Today’s radiation protection philosophy is to a high degree determined by the principle of not adopting any
action or practice leading to artificial exposure unless it produces sufficient benefit (so-called Principle of Justification)
and keeping radiation exposure of justified activities and practices also as low as reasonably achievable
(Principle of Optimisation). Both principles are stipulated in the Radiation Protection Ordinance. The observance
of these principles will be controlled.
Since man-made radiation exposure of the public is mainly made up of medical radiation exposure from diagnostic
procedures, this latter is another focal point of the BMU Environmental Research Plan (Umweltforschungsplan)
2012. It is crucial to balance the benefits and risks of diagnostic procedures, to search for alternative
procedures involving lower risks, and to reduce radiation exposure by appropriate procedures.
For protecting the population, it is important to investigate how radioactive substances behave in the environment,
how they disperse in air and water, how they are enriched in the different ecosystems and their subsequent
effect on man via the food chain. Thus, detailed information on radioecology is needed.
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