1. International and National Institutions that Set or Influence Policy on the use of NuclearSubstances and Ionizing RadiationRobert Miner MSc(NM), MRT(N), BSc(MRS), BSc(LSc) 1

2. OverviewIntroductionHistorical perspectiveInternational institutionsNational institutionsCanadian institutionsSummary 2 3. IntroductionThis seminar will describe the major international bodies thatset or influence policy on the use of nuclear substances andionizing radiation in Canada.GoalsTo better understand how: each institution contributes to the safe use of radiation nuclear materials and ionizing radiation are regulated3 4. Historical perspective1895 Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays1896 1st X-ray camera in Canada1942 First nuclear chain reaction1946 Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) established1944 Chalk River facility established1968 Canadas first full-scale nuclear generating station1957 Hal Anger develops the first gamma camera1962 Marvel comics introduced Spider Man1972 CT developed by Godfrey Hounsfield2000 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission replaces AECB4 5. International institutionsInternational commissions, agencies, committees andassociations that set or influence policy for the use and handlingof nuclear substances and ionizing radiation:IAEA International Atomic Energy AgencyUNSCEAR United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effectsof Atomic RadiationICRPInternational Commission on Radiological ProtectionIRPAInternational Radiation Protection AssociationICRUInternational Commission on Radiation Units andMeasurementsNEA Nuclear Energy Agency5 6. International institutionsInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)Established in 1957 Based in Vienna, AustriaComposition: Staff of 2,300 from over 100 countries. 154 member states.The Canadian connection: Canada became a member in 1957. The IAEA monitors and inspects Canadian installations.Purpose:Promotes safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. 6 7. International institutionsUnited Nations Scientific Committee on theEffects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)Established in 1955 Based in New York, NY, USAComposition: 21 member states.The Canadian connection: Canada became a member in 1955.Purpose: Distributes findings on the environmental and biological effectsof radiation. Provides recommendations to the United Nations.7 8. International institutionsInternational Commission on RadiologicalProtection (ICRP)Established in 1928Based in London, EnglandComposition: 200 volunteer members from approximately 30 countries. Scientists in the field of radiological protection.The Canadian connection: The ICRP has Canadian members. Some CNSC standards are based on ICRP recommendations.Purpose: Provides guidance within the field of protection from ionizingradiation. Publishes recommendations related to radiation protection. 8 9. International institutionsInternational Radiation ProtectionAssociation (IRPA)Established in 1965Based in Paris, FranceComposition: 60 member countries.The Canadian connection: Canada became a member in 1979.Purpose:Facilitates the sharing of radiation protection information at theinternational level. 9 10. International institutionsNuclear Energy Agency (NEA)Established in 1958Based in Paris, FranceComposition: 69 staff members. 30 countries (representing ~ 85% of the worlds nuclear capacity).The Canadian connection: Canada became a member in 1975.Purpose:Develops scientific and technological bases for safe andpeaceful uses of nuclear energy. 10 11. International institutionsInternational Commission on Radiation Units andMeasurements (ICRU)Established in 1925Based in Bethesda, MD, USAComposition: Scientists in the field of radiation measurement and radiation units.The Canadian connection: The ICRU liaisons with the CNSC. Canada adopted the SI units for radiation created by the ICRU.Purpose:Develops recommendations units and measurement methodsfor radiation.11 12. National institutionsCountries with nuclear power generation have regulatorybodies that assure safe operation. Here are a few countrieswith English web sites:UKONR Office for Nuclear RegulationChina CAEAChina Atomic Energy AuthorityIndia AERBAtomic Energy Regulatory BoardSouth AfricaNNR National Nuclear Regulator12 13. National institutions - USANuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Created in 1975. Formulates policies and regulations governing nuclear reactors,nuclear materials, safety and licensees.National Council on Radiation Protection andMeasurements (NCRP) Established in 1964. Evaluates, processes and disseminates information andrecommendations concerning radiation quantities, units andmeasurements and radiation protection.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) FDA screens food for, among other things, radiation. Regulates the use of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine.13 14. National institutions - CanadaCanadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Created in 2000 (replaced Atomic Energy Control Board). Regulates all aspects of the nuclear industry.Health Canada (HC) Regulates the safety of food and drugs. Regulates radiopharmaceuticals.Transport Canada (TC) Regulates the transport of dangerous goods such as radioactive materials.14 15. CNSCCanadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)Established in 2000 under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.The CNSC replaced the former Atomic Energy Control Boardwhich was founded in 1946. Based in Ottawa.Composition: Head office in Ottawa, with 4 regional offices 5 site offices at nuclear power reactors 1 site office at Chalk River Staff: ~ 850 Licensees: 2050 (total licenses: 3300)Purpose:Regulates nuclear energy, materials and ionizing radiation in Canada.15 16. CNSCThe goal of the CNSC is to protect public health, safety, securityand the environment. The CNSC is also responsible for Canadasinternational commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.This is done by: reviewing applications for licenses enforcing compliance with the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and regulations license conditions (when required). providing recommendations to the CNSCs Commission Tribunal interfacing with international institutions (IAEA, UNSCEAR, ICRP, IRPA, NEA and ICRU)The CNSC is Canadas nuclear watchdog. 16 17. CNSCCNSC regulates: Nuclear power plants Heavy water production plants Uranium mines and mills Uranium processing and fuel fabrication Nuclear research Nuclear substance processing Nuclear substances and radiation devices Radioactive waste managementQ: What radioactive device is not regulated by the CNSC?A: Smoke detectors. Some detectors use 241Am. 17 18. CNSCExamples of the synergy between the CNSC andthe international institutions mentionedAdoption of the SI system for radiation units created bythe ICRU.The IAEA provides a peer review of regulatory practices.The purpose is to compare the regulatory practices of acountry with international standards. The CNSC participatedin the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) between2006 and 2009.18 19. CNSCExamples of the synergy between the CNSC andthe international institutions mentionedSome CNSC standards (MPDs, ALARA, etc.) are based onICRP recommendations.If the CNSC wanted to propose changing the maximumpermissible NEW dose levels then ICRP, UNSCEAR, NCRPand the HC would have information concerning radiationeffects. 19 20. SummaryThere are many national and international institutionsthat set or influence policy on the use of nuclearmaterials.Some offer a forum or focus for activities (IAEA, NEA)Others provide valuable information on units,measurements and biological effects (UNSCEAR,ICRP, IRPA, ICRU, NCRP) 20 21. LinksINTERNATIONALIAEAInternational Atomic Energy Agency http://www.iaea.org/UNSCEAR United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiationhttp://www.unscear.org/ICRP International Commission on Radiological Protection http://www.icrp.org/IRPA International Radiation Protection Association http://www.irpa.net/ICRU International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements http://www.icru.org/index.phpUSANRCNuclear Regulatory Commission http://www.nrc.gov/NCRP National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements http://www.ncrponline.org/FDAFood and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/ 21 22. LinksUKONR Office for Nuclear Regulationhttp://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/index.htmCHINACAEAChina Atomic Energy Authorityhttp://www.caea.gov.cn/INDIAAERBAtomic Energy Regulatory Boardhttp://www.aerb.gov.in/SOUTH AFRICANNR National Nuclear Regulatorhttp://www.nnr.co.za/CANADACNSC Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/HCHealth Canadahttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php22 23. ReferencesTMI. (2006). International Agencies. Radio Pharmacy (PRNU310) handout.Computed Tomography Its History and Technology. http://www.medical.siemens.com/siemens/zh_CN/gg_ct_FBAs/files/brochures/CT_Histor y_and_Technology.pdf. Siemens Medical. 23