Radiation protection services : From the laboratory to the field

by Robert Ouvrard and Fernando Lopez-Lizana l^evelopments commanding global attention over the past decade have elevated interest in issues of nuclear and radiation safety. In various ways, States today are placing greater emphasis on cooperative projects and services designed to establish or strengthen national capabilities for effective radiological protection. At the international level, the Agency has long provided extensive safety-related services. In the field of radiation safety, the work has involved the formulation of standards and advisory missions, for example. In 1979, the IAEA set up a Radiation Safety Services Section (RSSS) to technically support activities in radiation protection. The work involves the operation of radiation protection laboratories, the provision of analytical and support services, and operation of an emergency response system. (See box.) In recent years, for example, these services have supported the Agency's post-Chernobyl radiological assessments, as well as its nuclear inspections in Iraq. This article takes a closer look at activities, specifically those related to radiation monitoring, field projects, and emergency planning and response.