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Wojcik A, Thierry-Chef I, Friedl AA, Rühm W. Minimum reporting standards about dosimetry of radiation sources used in radiation research studies. Radiat Environ Biophys 2024; 63:181-183. [PMID: 38376815 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-024-01063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The necessity of precise dosimetry and its documentation in research is less obvious than in medicine and in radiological protection. However, in radiation research, results can only be validated if experiments were carried out with sufficient precision and described with sufficient details, especially information regarding dosimetry. In order to ensure this, an initiative was launched to establish reproducible dosimetry reporting parameters in published studies. Minimum standards for reporting radiation dosimetry information were developed and published in parallel in the International Journal of Radiation Biology and Radiation Research. As editors of Radiation and Environmental Biophysics, we support this initiative and reproduce the agreed minimum irradiation parameters that should be reported in publications on radiation biology submitted to our journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Wojcik
- MBW Department, Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Anna A Friedl
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Werner Rühm
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany
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2
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Ulanowski A, Ban N, Ozasa K, Rühm W, Semones E, Shavers M, Vaillant L. Time-integrated radiation risk metrics and interpopulation variability of survival. Z Med Phys 2024; 34:64-82. [PMID: 37669888 PMCID: PMC10919971 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Task Group 115 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection is focusing on mission-related exposures to space radiation and concomitant health risks for space crew members including, among others, risk of cancer development. Uncertainties in cumulative radiation risk estimates come from the stochastic nature of the considered health outcome (i.e., cancer), uncertainties of statistical inference and model parameters, unknown secular trends used for projections of population statistics and unknown variability of survival properties between individuals or population groups. The variability of survival is usually ignored when dealing with large groups, which can be assumed well represented by the statistical data for the contemporary general population, either in a specific country or world averaged. Space crew members differ in many aspects from individuals represented by the general population, including, for example, their lifestyle and health status, nutrition, medical care, training and education. The individuality of response to radiation and lifespan is explored in this modelling study. Task Group 115 is currently evaluating applicability and robustness of various risk metrics for quantification of radiation-attributed risks of cancer for space crew members. This paper demonstrates the impact of interpopulation variability of survival curves on values and uncertainty of the estimates of the time-integrated radiation risk of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ulanowski
- International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA Laboratories, Friedensstrasse 1, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria.
| | - Nobuhiko Ban
- Nuclear Regulation Authority, 1-9-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8450, Japan
| | - Kotaro Ozasa
- Health Management Center, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566 Japan
| | - Werner Rühm
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Edward Semones
- NASA Space Radiation Analysis Group, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mark Shavers
- KBR Human Health and Performance, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ludovic Vaillant
- Centre d'étude sur l'Evaluation de la Protection dans le domaine Nucléaire, 28 rue de la Redoute, 92260 Fontenay aux Roses, France
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3
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Rühm W, Ban N, Chen J, Li C, Dobynde M, Durante M, El-Jaby S, Komiyama T, Ozasa K, Sato T, Semones EJ, Shavers M, Shurshakov V, Straube U, Tomi L, Ulanowski A, Vaillant L, Xu Z, Zervides C, Zhou G. System of radiological protection: Towards a consistent framework on Earth and in space. Z Med Phys 2024; 34:4-13. [PMID: 38262888 PMCID: PMC10919961 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, München (Neuherberg), Germany.
| | | | - Jing Chen
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Chunsheng Li
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Mikhail Dobynde
- Institute of Biomedical Problems RAS, Moscow, Russian Federation and Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Marco Durante
- GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Biophysics Department andTechnische Universität Darmstadt, Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Samy El-Jaby
- Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River, Canada
| | | | - Kotaro Ozasa
- Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | | | - Mark Shavers
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, United States
| | | | | | - Leena Tomi
- Canadian Space Agency, Saint-Hubert, Canada
| | | | - Ludovic Vaillant
- Centre d'étude sur l'Evaluation de la Protection dans le domaine, Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - Zhenhua Xu
- State Nuclear Security Technology Center, Beijing, PR China
| | - Constantinos Zervides
- The Mediterranean Hospital of Cyprus, Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Limassol, Cyprus
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Shavers MR, Semones EJ, Shurshakov V, Dobynde M, Sato T, Komiyama T, Tomi L, Chen J, El-Jaby S, Straube U, Li C, Rühm W. Comparison of dose and risk estimates between ISS Partner Agencies for a 30-day lunar mission. Z Med Phys 2024; 34:31-43. [PMID: 38030484 PMCID: PMC10919970 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The International Partner Agencies of the International Space Station (ISS) present a comparison of the ionizing radiation absorbed dose and risk quantities used to characterize example missions in lunar space. This effort builds on previous collaborative work that characterizes radiation environments in space to support radiation protection for human spaceflight on ISS in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and exploration missions beyond (BLEO). A "shielded" ubiquitous galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) environment combined with--and separate from--the transient challenge of a solar particle event (SPE) was modelled for a simulated 30-day mission period. Simple geometries of relatively thin and uniform shields were chosen to represent the space vehicle and other available shielding, and male or female phantoms were used to represent the body's self-shielding. Absorbed dose in organs and tissues and the effective dose were calculated for males and females. Risk parameters for cancer and other outcomes are presented for selected organs. The results of this intracomparison between ISS Partner Agencies itself provide insights to the level of agreement with which space agencies can perform organ dosimetry and calculate effective dose. This work was performed in collaboration with the advisory and guidance efforts of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Task Group 115 and will be presented in an ICRP Report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Shavers
- KBR Human Health and Performance, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - Edward J Semones
- NASA Space Radiation Analysis Group-Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Mikhail Dobynde
- Institute for Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Tatsuto Komiyama
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba Space Center, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Leena Tomi
- Canadian Space Agency, Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jing Chen
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samy El-Jaby
- Safety Analysis and Engineering Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ulrich Straube
- European Space Agency ESA, European Astronaut Center EAC, Space Medicine HRE-OM, Cologne, Germany
| | - Chunsheng Li
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Werner Rühm
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, München (Neuherberg), Germany
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Shavers M, Semones E, Tomi L, Chen J, Straube U, Komiyama T, Shurshakov V, Li C, Rühm W. Space agency-specific standards for crew dose and risk assessment of ionising radiation exposures for the International Space Station. Z Med Phys 2024; 34:14-30. [PMID: 37507310 PMCID: PMC10919966 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The Partner Agencies of the International Space Station (ISS) maintain separate career exposure limits and shared Flight Rules that control the ionising radiation exposures that crewmembers can experience due to ambient environments throughout their space missions. In low Earth orbit as well as further out in space, energetic ions referred to as galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) easily penetrate spacecraft and spacecraft contents and consequently are always present at low dose rates. Protons and electrons that are trapped in the Earth's geomagnetic field are encountered intermittently, and a rare energetic solar particle event (SPE) may expose crew to (mostly) energetic protons. Space radiation protection goals are to optimize radiation exposures to maintain deleterious late effects at known and acceptable levels and to prevent any early effects that might compromise crew health and mission success. The conventional radiation protection metric effective dose provides a basic framework for limiting exposures associated with human spaceflight and can be communicated to all stakeholders. Additional metrics and uncertainty analyses are required to understand more completely and to convey nuanced information about potential impacts to an individual astronaut or to a space mission. Missions to remote destinations well beyond low Earth orbit (BLEO) are upcoming and bestow additional challenges that shape design and radiation protection needs. NASA has recently adopted a more permissive career exposure limit based upon effective dose and new restrictions on mission exposures imposed by nuclear technologies. This manuscript reviews the exposure limits that apply to the ISS crewmembers. This work was performed in collaboration with the advisory and guidance efforts of International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Task Group 115 and will be summarized in an upcoming ICRP Report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Shavers
- KBR Human Health and Performance, NASA Johnson Space Centre, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Edward Semones
- NASA Space Radiation Analysis Group-Johnson Space Centre, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leena Tomi
- Canadian Space Agency, Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jing Chen
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ulrich Straube
- European Space Agency ESA, European Astronaut Center EAC, Space Medicine HRE-OM, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tatsuto Komiyama
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tsukuba Space Center, Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Chunsheng Li
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Werner Rühm
- Federal Office of Radiation Protection, Munich, Germany
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Hafner L, Walsh L, Rühm W. Assessing the impact of neutron relative biological effectiveness on all solid cancer mortality risks in the Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Int J Radiat Biol 2024; 100:61-71. [PMID: 37772764 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2245463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Risk analyses, based on relative biological effectiveness (RBE) estimates for neutrons relative to gammas, were performed; and the change in the curvature of the risk to dose response with increasing neutron RBE was analyzed using all solid cancer mortality data from the Radiation Effect Research Foundation (RERF). Results were compared to those based on incidence data. MATERIALS AND METHODS This analysis is based on RERF mortality data with separate neutron and gamma doses for colon doses, from which organ averaged doses could be calculated. A model for risk ratio variation with RBE was developed. RESULTS The best estimate of the neutron RBE considering mortality data was 200 (95% confidence interval (CI): 50-1010) for colon dose using the weighted-dose approach and for organ averaged dose 110 (95% CI: 30-350). The ERR risk ratios for all solid cancers combined, for the best fitting neutron RBE estimate and the neutron RBE of 10 result in a ratio of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.17-0.85) for colon dose and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.18-0.87) for organ averaged dose. The risk to dose response curvature became significantly negative (concave down) with increasing RBE, at a neutron RBE of 170 using colon dose and at an RBE of 90 using organ averaged dose for males when fitting a linear-quadratic dose response. For females, the curvature decreased toward linearity with increasing neutron RBE and remained significantly positive until RBE of 80 and 40 using colon and organ averaged dose, respectively. For higher neutron RBEs, no significant conclusion could be drawn about the shape of the dose-response curve. CONCLUSIONS Application of neutron RBE values higher than 10 results in substantially reduced cancer mortality risk estimates and a significant reduction in curvature of the risk to dose responses for males. Using mortality data, the best fitting neutron RBE is much higher than when incidence data is used. The neutron RBE ranges covered by the overlap in the CIs from both the mortality and incidence analyses are 50-190 using colon dose and in all cases, the best fitting neutron RBE and lower 95% CI are higher than the value of 10 traditionally applied by the RERF. Therefore, it is recommended to consider uncertainties in neutron RBE values when calculating radiation risks and discussing the shape of dose responses using Japanese A-bomb survivors data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Hafner
- Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI, Brugg, Switzerland
| | - Linda Walsh
- Department of Physics, Science Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Munich, Germany
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Amrenova A, Ainsbury E, Baudin C, Giussani A, Lochard J, Rühm W, Scholz-Kreisel P, Trott K, Vaillant L, Wakeford R, Zölzer F, Laurier D. Consideration of hereditary effects in the radiological protection system: evolution and current status. Int J Radiat Biol 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38190433 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2295289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the methodology used to estimate radiation genetic risks and quantify the risk of hereditary effects as outlined in the ICRP Publication 103. It aims to highlight the historical background and development of the doubling dose method for estimating radiation-related genetic risks and its continued use in radiological protection frameworks. RESULTS This article emphasizes the complexity associated with quantifying the risk of hereditary effects caused by radiation exposure and highlights the need for further clarification and explanation of the calculation method. As scientific knowledge in radiation sciences and human genetics continues to advance in relation to a number of factors including stability of disease frequency, selection pressures, and epigenetic changes, the characterization and quantification of genetic effects still remains a major issue for the radiological protection system of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. CONCLUSION Further research and advancements in this field are crucial for enhancing our understanding and addressing the complexities involved in assessing and managing the risks associated with hereditary effects of radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Amrenova
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - C Baudin
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - A Giussani
- BfS - Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - J Lochard
- Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - W Rühm
- BfS - Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - P Scholz-Kreisel
- BfS - Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - K Trott
- Deptartment Radiation Oncology, Technical University München, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - R Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - F Zölzer
- Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - D Laurier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Rühm W, Pihet P, Schuhmacher H. The European Radiation Dosimetry Group-a 40 year success story. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2023; 199:1659-1669. [PMID: 37819296 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncac193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) was founded in 1982. Since then, the group has continuously developed and is currently a network of 80 institutions and more than 600 individual scientists across Europe, including exchange with the scientific community outside of Europe. EURADOS supports research and development of dosimetry and harmonising dosimetric practices. This paper describes the major milestones in the history of the organization. It starts from the very beginning when the idea was born and describes periods during which the role and strategy of the network had to be defined, elaborated and refined. Finally, it ends to date where EURADOS appears as an independent self-sustainable association, which is a reliable partner for various international organisations in radiation research and radiation protection. Major activities of EURADOS are highlighted such as (1) establishment and coordination of Working Groups, (2) regular organization of dosimetric intercomparisons for quality assurance of dosimetry procedures, (3) development and organization of education and training events, and (4) contributions towards the development of strategic and integrated radiation research in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
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9
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Rühm W, Yu H, Clement C, Ainsbury EA, Andresz S, Bryant P, Chapple CL, Croüail P, Damilakis J, Ermacora MG, Eurajoki T, Gering F, Molyneux-Hodgson S, Hupe O, Impens N, Lassmann M, Martins JO, Mazzoni LN, Mogg C, Morgan J, Perko T, Pinak M, Santos J, Stritt N, Tanner R, Turcanu C, Vermeersch F. ICRP workshop on the review and revision of the system of radiological protection: a focus on research priorities-feedback from the international community. J Radiol Prot 2023; 43. [PMID: 37669663 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/acf6ca] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
In September 2022, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) organised a workshop in Estoril, Portugal, on the 'Review and Revision of the System of Radiological Protection: A Focus on Research Priorities'. The workshop, which was a side event of the European Radiation Protection Week, offered an opportunity to comment on a recent paper published by ICRP on areas of research to support the System of Radiological Protection. Altogether, about 150 individuals participated in the workshop. After the workshop, 16 of the 30 organisations in formal relations with ICRP provided written feedback. All participants and organisations followed ICRP's view that further research in various areas will offer additional support in improving the System in the short, medium, and long term. In general, it was emphasised that any research should be outcome-focused in that it should improve protection of people or the environment. Many research topics mentioned by the participants were in line with those already identified by ICRP in the paper noted above. In addition, further ideas were expressed such as, for example, that lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic with regards to the non-radiological social, economic and environment impacts, should be analysed for their usefulness to enhance radiological protection, and that current protection strategies and application of current radiological protection principles may need to be adapted to military scenarios like those observed recently during the military conflict in the Ukraine or the detonation of a nuclear weapon. On a broader perspective, it was discussed how radiation research and radiological protection can contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals announced by the United Nations in 2015. This paper summarises the views expressed during the workshop and the major take home messages identified by ICRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Hyungjoon Yu
- International Commission on Radiological Protection, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - Christopher Clement
- International Commission on Radiological Protection, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9, Canada
| | | | - Sylvain Andresz
- Nuclear Evaluation Protection Centre (CEPN), 28, Rue de la Redoute, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France
| | - Peter Bryant
- Sizewell C, 90 Whitfield Street, London W1T 4EZ, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Claire-Louise Chapple
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, United Kingdom
- International Radiation Protection Association
| | - Pascal Croüail
- Nuclear Evaluation Protection Centre (CEPN), 28, Rue de la Redoute, Fontenay-aux-Roses 92260, France
| | - John Damilakis
- University of Crete, School of Medicine, 71003 Iraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Marcela G Ermacora
- Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies (FORO)
| | | | - Florian Gering
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Susan Molyneux-Hodgson
- Department of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology, University of Exeter, Amory Building, Rennes Drive, Exeter EX4 4RJ, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Hupe
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Bundesallee 100, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Nathalie Impens
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Michael Lassmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - João O Martins
- Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies (FORO)
| | | | - Christopher Mogg
- OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, 46, Quai Alphonse Le Gallo, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Julie Morgan
- United Kingdom Health and Security Agency (UKHSA), Didcot OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Tanja Perko
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Miroslav Pinak
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Joana Santos
- Polytechnique University of Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy, Rua 5 de Outubro, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Stritt
- Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (SFOPH), CH-3003 BERN, Switzerland
| | - Rick Tanner
- UKHSA, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - Catrinel Turcanu
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
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10
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Rühm W, Friedl AA, Wojcik A. UN Sustainable Development Goals: establishment of an electronic 'collection' of papers published in Radiation and Environmental Biophysics. Radiat Environ Biophys 2023; 62:173-174. [PMID: 37165182 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01028-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, München (Neuherberg), Germany.
| | - Anna A Friedl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, KUM University Hospital, LMU University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrzej Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrheniusväg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanoski University, 25-406, Kielce, Poland
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11
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Rühm W, Cho K, Larsson CM, Wojcik A, Clement C, Applegate K, Bochud F, Bouffler S, Cool D, Hirth G, Kai M, Laurier D, Liu S, Romanov S, Schneider T. Vancouver call for action to strengthen expertise in radiological protection worldwide. Radiat Environ Biophys 2023; 62:175-180. [PMID: 37097458 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01024-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Ionising radiation has been used for over a century for peaceful purposes, revolutionising health care and promoting well-being through its application in industry, science, and medicine. For almost as long, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has promoted understanding of health and environmental risks of ionising radiation and developed a protection system that enables the safe use of ionising radiation in justified and beneficial practices, providing protection from all sources of radiation. However, we are concerned that a shortage of investment in training, education, research, and infrastructure seen in many sectors and countries may compromise society's ability to properly manage radiation risks, leading to unjustified exposure to or unwarranted fear of radiation, impacting the physical, mental, and social well-being of our peoples. This could unduly limit the potential for research and development in new radiation technologies (healthcare, energy, and the environment) for beneficial purposes. ICRP therefore calls for action to strengthen expertise in radiological protection worldwide through: (1) National governments and funding agencies strengthening resources for radiological protection research allocated by governments and international organisations, (2) National research laboratories and other institutions launching and sustaining long-term research programmes, (3) Universities developing undergraduate and graduate university programmes and making students aware of job opportunities in radiation-related fields, (4) Using plain language when interacting with the public and decision makers about radiological protection, and (5) Fostering general awareness of proper uses of radiation and radiological protection through education and training of information multipliers. The draft call was discussed with international organisations in formal relations with ICRP in October 2022 at the European Radiation Protection Week in Estoril, Portugal, and the final call announced at the 6th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection of ICRP in November 2022 in Vancouver, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- Helmholtz Centre Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - K Cho
- Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, Yuseong, 114, Daejeon, 34142, Korea
| | - C-M Larsson
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, 619 Lower Plenty Road, Yallambie, VIC, 3085, Australia
| | - A Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrheniusväg 20C, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanoski University, 25-406, Kielce, Poland
| | - C Clement
- International Commission on Radiological Protection, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - K Applegate
- University of Kentucky College Medicine, 800 Rose Street MN 150, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - F Bochud
- Institute of Radiation Physics, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Grand-Pré 1, 1007, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - S Bouffler
- Radiation Protection Sciences Division, UK Health Security Agency, Didcot, OX11 0RQ, Oxon, UK
| | - D Cool
- International Commission on Radiological Protection, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - G Hirth
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, 619 Lower Plenty Road, Yallambie, VIC, 3085, Australia
| | - M Kai
- Nippon Bunri University, 1727 Ichigi, Ōita, 870-0397, Japan
| | - D Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, BP 17-92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, 31 Avenue de la Division Leclerc , 92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, Île-de-France, France
| | - S Liu
- China Institute of Atomic Energy, 275 (1), Beijing, 102413, People's Republic of China
| | - S Romanov
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russian Federation
| | - T Schneider
- Nuclear Protection Evaluation Centre, 28, rue de la Redoute, 92260, Fontenay aux Roses, France
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12
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Hafner L, Walsh L, Rühm W. Discussion of uncertainties and the impact of different neutron RBEs on all solid cancer radiation incidence risks obtained from the Japanese A-bomb survivor data. Ann ICRP 2023; 52:17-22. [PMID: 38143299 DOI: 10.1177/01466453231211216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The most recent publicly available data on all solid cancer incidence from the Life Span Study (LSS) of Japanese A-bomb survivors provides colon dose contributions weighted with a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 10 for neutrons, relative to gammas. However, there is evidence from several investigations that the neutron RBE for A-bomb survivors may be higher than 10. The change in the shape of the corresponding dose-response curves was evaluated by Hafner and co-workers in a previous study by applying sex-specific linear-quadratic dose models to previous LSS data for all solid cancer incidence that include separate neutron and gamma absorbed doses for several organs, in contrast to the most recent data. The resulting curvature change became significantly negative for males at an RBE of 140 for colon, 100 for liver, and 80 for organ averaged dose. For females, the corresponding RBE values were 110, 80, and 60 for colon, liver, and organ averaged doses. The present study compares three different methods to calculate the 95% confidence intervals in an analysis of the curvature with increasing RBE. Further, the impact of a higher neutron RBE on the work of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and the importance of including uncertainties and performing sensitivity analysis of different parameters in radiation risk assessment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Hafner
- Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI, Industriestrasse 19, 5201 Brugg, Switzerland; e-mail:
| | - L Walsh
- Department of Physics, Science Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; e-mail:
| | - W Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Ingolstaedter Landstr. 1, 85769 Neuherberg, Germany; e-mail:
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13
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Hafner L, Walsh L, Rühm W. Assessing the impact of different neutron RBEs on the all solid cancer radiation risks obtained from the Japanese A-bomb survivors data. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:629-643. [PMID: 36154910 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2117871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Development of a model characterizing risk variation with RBE to investigate how the incidence risk for all solid cancers combined varies with higher neutron RBEs and different organ dose types. MATERIAL AND METHODS The model is based on RERF data with separate neutron and gamma dose information. RESULTS For both additive and multiplicative linear excess risks per unit organ averaged dose, a reduction of 50% in the risk coefficient per weighted dose arises when a neutron RBE of 110 is used instead of 10. Considering risk per unit liver dose, this reduction occurs for an RBE of 130 and for risks per unit colon dose for an RBE of 190. The change in the shape of the dose response curve when using higher neutron RBEs is evaluated. The curvature changed and became significantly negative for males at an RBE of 140 for colon dose, 100 for liver dose and 80 for organ averaged dose. For females this is the case at an RBE of 110, 80 and 60, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Uncertainties in neutron RBE values should be considered when radiation risks and the shape of dose responses are deduced from cancer risk data from the atomic bomb survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Hafner
- Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI, Brugg, Switzerland
| | - Linda Walsh
- Department of Physics, Science Faculty, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
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14
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Lowe D, Roy L, Tabocchini MA, Rühm W, Wakeford R, Woloschak GE, Laurier D. Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed? Radiat Environ Biophys 2022; 61:507-543. [PMID: 36241855 PMCID: PMC9630203 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-022-00996-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research to understand the biological effects of ionising radiation, there is still much uncertainty over the role of dose rate. Motivated by a virtual workshop on the "Effects of spatial and temporal variation in dose delivery" organised in November 2020 by the Multidisciplinary Low Dose Initiative (MELODI), here, we review studies to date exploring dose rate effects, highlighting significant findings, recent advances and to provide perspective and recommendations for requirements and direction of future work. A comprehensive range of studies is considered, including molecular, cellular, animal, and human studies, with a focus on low linear-energy-transfer radiation exposure. Limits and advantages of each type of study are discussed, and a focus is made on future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Lowe
- UK Health Security Agency, CRCE Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0RQ, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Laurence Roy
- Institut de Radioprotection Et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Istituto Nazionale i Fisica Nucleare, Sezione i Roma, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gayle E Woloschak
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection Et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
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15
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Zorloni G, Bosmans G, Brall T, Caresana M, De Saint-Hubert M, Domingo C, Ferrante C, Ferrulli F, Kopec R, Leidner J, Mares V, Nabha R, Olko P, Caballero-Pacheco MA, Rühm W, Silari M, Stolarczyk L, Swakon J, Tisi M, Trinkl S, Van Hoey O, Vilches-Freixas G. EURADOS REM-COUNTER INTERCOMPARISON AT MAASTRO PROTON THERAPY CENTRE: COMPARISON WITH LITERATURE DATA. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2022; 198:1471-1475. [PMID: 36138419 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncac189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Maastro Proton Therapy Centre is the first European facility housing the Mevion S250i Hyperscan synchrocyclotron. The proximity of the accelerator to the patient, the presence of an active pencil beam delivery system downstream of a passive energy degrader and the pulsed structure of the beam make the Mevion stray neutron field unique amongst proton therapy facilities. This paper reviews the results of a rem-counter intercomparison experiment promoted by the European Radiation Dosimetry Group at Maastro and compares them with those at other proton therapy facilities. The Maastro neutron H*(10) in the room (100-200 μSv/Gy at about 2 m from the isocentre) is in line with accelerators using purely passive or wobbling beam delivery modalities, even though Maastro shows a dose gradient peaked near the accelerator. Unlike synchrotron- and cyclotron-based facilities, the pulsed beam at Maastro requires the employment of rem-counters specifically designed to withstand pulsed neutron fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Geert Bosmans
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW - School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Brall
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marco Caresana
- Department of Energy, Polytechnic of Milan, via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Carles Domingo
- Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Christian Ferrante
- Department of Energy, Polytechnic of Milan, via Lambruschini 4, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ferrulli
- CERN, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland
- University of Caen Normandy, 14032 Caen-5, France
| | - Renata Kopec
- Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Vladimir Mares
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Racell Nabha
- Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Pawel Olko
- Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Werner Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Liliana Stolarczyk
- Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Krakow, Poland
- The Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 25, DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Swakon
- Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marco Tisi
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Trinkl
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Medical and Occupational Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Gloria Vilches-Freixas
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW - School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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16
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Wojcik A, Friedl AA, Rühm W. War in Ukraine: handling of manuscripts from the Russian federation by radiation and environmental biophysics. Radiat Environ Biophys 2022; 61:339-340. [PMID: 35842506 PMCID: PMC9334436 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-022-00980-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Wojcik
- MBW Department, Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Institute for Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Anna A Friedl
- MBW Department, Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Werner Rühm
- MBW Department, Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
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17
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Rühm W, Clement C, Cool D, Laurier D, Bochud F, Applegate K, Schneider T, Bouffler S, Cho K, Hirth G, Kai M, Liu S, Romanov S, Wojcik A. Summary of the 2021 ICRP workshop on the future of radiological protection. J Radiol Prot 2022; 42:023002. [PMID: 35417898 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac670e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has embarked on a process to review and revise the current System of Radiological Protection ('the System'). To stimulate discussion, the ICRP published two open-access articles: one on aspects of the System that might require review, and another on research that might improve the scientific foundation of the System. Building on these articles, the ICRP organized a Workshop on the Future of Radiological Protection as an opportunity to engage in the review and revision of the System. This digital workshop took place from 14 October-3 November 2021 and included 20 live-streamed and 43 on-demand presentations. Approximately 1500 individuals from 100 countries participated. Based on the subjects covered by the presentations, this summary is organized into four broad areas: the scientific basis, concepts and application of the System; and the role of the ICRP. Some of the key topics that emerged included the following: classification of radiation-induced effects; adverse outcome pathway methodologies; better understanding of the dose-response relationship; holistic and reasonable approaches to optimization of protection; radiological protection of the environment; ethical basis of the System; clarity, consistency and communication of the System; application of the System in medicine and application of the principles of justification and optimization of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- Helmholtz Centre Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Ingolstaedter Landstraße 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - C Clement
- International Commission on Radiological Protection, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - D Cool
- International Commission on Radiological Protection, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - D Laurier
- Institut de radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, BP 17-92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, 31 avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, Île-de-France, France
| | - F Bochud
- Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - K Applegate
- University of Kentucky College Medicine, 800 Rose Street MN 150, Lexington, KY 40506, United States of America
| | - T Schneider
- Nuclear Protection Evaluation Centre, 28, rue de la Redoute, F-92260 Fontenay aux Roses, France
| | - S Bouffler
- Radiation Protection Science Division, UK Health Security Agency, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, United Kingdom
| | - K Cho
- Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, PO Box 114, Yuseong, Daejeon 305-338, Republic of Korea
| | - G Hirth
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, PO Box 655, Miranda, NSW 1490, Australia
| | - M Kai
- Nippon Bunri University, 1727 Ichigi, Ōita 870-0397, Japan
| | - S Liu
- China Institute of Atomic Energy, PO Box 275 (1), Beijing CN-102413, People's Republic of China
| | - S Romanov
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | - A Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Svante Arrheniusväg 20C, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanoski University, 25-406 Kielce, Poland
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18
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Rühm W, Friedl AA, Wojcik A. A turning point in history: thinking about the unthinkable. Radiat Environ Biophys 2022; 61:177-178. [PMID: 35399120 PMCID: PMC9021064 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-022-00976-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Institute for Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Anna A Friedl
- University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrzej Wojcik
- MBW Department, Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Rühm W, Laurier D, Wakeford R. Cancer risk following low doses of ionising radiation - Current epidemiological evidence and implications for radiological protection. Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2022; 873:503436. [PMID: 35094811 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that every year worldwide about a million patients might be exposed to doses of the order of 100 mGy of low-LET radiation, due to recurrent application of radioimaging procedures. This paper presents a synthesis of recent epidemiological evidence on radiation-related cancer risks from low-LET radiation doses of this magnitude. Evidence from pooled analyses and meta-analyses also involving epidemiological studies that, individually, do not find statistically significant radiation-related cancer risks is reviewed, and evidence from additional and more recent epidemiological studies of radiation exposures indicating excess cancer risks is also summarized. Cohorts discussed in the present paper include Japanese atomic bomb survivors, nuclear workers, patients exposed for medical purposes, and populations exposed environmentally to natural background radiation or radioactive contamination. Taken together, the overall evidence summarized here is based on studies including several million individuals, many of them followed-up for more than half a century. In summary, substantial evidence was found from epidemiological studies of exposed groups of humans that ionizing radiation causes cancer at acute and protracted doses above 100 mGy, and growing evidence for doses below 100 mGy. The significant radiation-related solid cancer risks observed at doses of several 100 mGy of protracted exposures (observed, for example, among nuclear workers) demonstrate that doses accumulated over many years at low dose rates do cause stochastic health effects. On this basis, it can be concluded that doses of the order of 100 mGy from recurrent application of medical imaging procedures involving ionizing radiation are of concern, from the viewpoint of radiological protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - D Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - R Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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20
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Tisi M, Mares V, Schreiber J, Englbrecht FS, Rühm W. Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation study of the secondary radiation fields at the laser-driven ion source LION. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24418. [PMID: 34952912 PMCID: PMC8709851 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03897-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
At the Center for Advanced Laser Applications (CALA), Garching, Germany, the LION (Laser-driven ION Acceleration) experiment is being commissioned, aiming at the production of laser-driven bunches of protons and light ions with multi-MeV energies and repetition frequency up to 1 Hz. A Geant4 Monte Carlo-based study of the secondary neutron and photon fields expected during LION's different commissioning phases is presented. Goal of this study is the characterization of the secondary radiation environment present inside and outside the LION cave. Three different primary proton spectra, taken from experimental results reported in the literature and representative of three different future stages of the LION's commissioning path are used. Together with protons, also electrons are emitted through laser-target interaction and are also responsible for the production of secondary radiation. For the electron component of the three source terms, a simplified exponential model is used. Moreover, in order to reduce the simulation complexity, a two-components simplified geometrical model of proton and electron sources is proposed. It has been found that the radiation environment inside the experimental cave is either dominated by photons or neutrons depending on the position in the room and the source term used. The higher the intensity of the source, the higher the neutron contribution to the total dose for all scored positions. Maximum neutron and photon ambient dose equivalent values normalized to 109 simulated incident primaries were calculated at the exit of the vacuum chamber, where values of about 85 nSv (109 primaries)-1 and 1.0 μSv (109 primaries)-1 were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tisi
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - V Mares
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - J Schreiber
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Garching bei München, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics, Garching bei München, Germany
| | - F S Englbrecht
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Garching bei München, Germany
| | - W Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
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21
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Clement C, Rühm W, Harrison J, Applegate K, Cool D, Larsson CM, Cousins C, Lochard J, Bouffler S, Cho K, Kai M, Laurier D, Liu S, Romanov S. Keeping the ICRP recommendations fit for purpose. J Radiol Prot 2021; 41:1390-1409. [PMID: 34284364 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac1611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has embarked on a review and revision of the system of Radiological Protection that will update the 2007 general recommendations in ICRPPublication 103. This is the beginning of a process that will take several years, involving open and transparent engagement with organisations and individuals around the world. While the system is robust and has performed well, it must adapt to address changes in science and society to remain fit for purpose. The aim of this paper is to encourage discussions on which areas of the system might gain the greatest benefit from review, and to initiate collaborative efforts. Increased clarity and consistency are high priorities. The better the system is understood, the more effectively it can be applied, resulting in improved protection and increased harmonisation. Many areas are identified for potential review including: classification of effects, with particular focus on tissue reactions; reformulation of detriment, potentially including non-cancer diseases; re-evaluation of the relationship between detriment and effective dose, and the possibility of defining detriments for males and females of different ages; individual variation in the response to radiation exposure; heritable effects; and effects and risks in non-human biota and ecosystems. Some of the basic concepts are also being considered, including the framework for bringing together protection of people and the environment, incremental improvements to the fundamental principles of justification and optimisation, a broader approach to protection of individuals, and clarification of the exposure situations introduced in 2007. In addition, ICRP is considering identifying where explicit incorporation of the ethical basis of the system would be beneficial, how to better reflect the importance of communications and stakeholder involvement, and further advice on education and training. ICRP invites responses on these and other areas relating to the review of the System of Radiological Protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Clement
- International Commission on Radiological Protection, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - W Rühm
- Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - J Harrison
- Oxford Brookes University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, OX3 0BP Oxford, United Kingdom
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, OX11 0RQ Didcot, Oxon, United Kingdom
| | - K Applegate
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 800 Rose Street MN 150, Lexington, KY 40506, United States of America (retired)
| | - D Cool
- Electric Power Research Institute, Charlotte, NC, United States of America
| | - C-M Larsson
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, PO Box 655, Miranda, NSW 1490, Australia
| | - C Cousins
- International Commission on Radiological Protection, 280 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9, Canada
| | - J Lochard
- Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyomachi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
| | - S Bouffler
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, OX11 0RQ Didcot, Oxon, United Kingdom
| | - K Cho
- Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, PO Box 114, Yuseong, Daejeon 305-338, Korea
| | - M Kai
- Nippon Bunri University, 1727 Ichigi, Ōita 870-0397, Japan
| | - D Laurier
- Institut de radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, BP 17-92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, 31 avenue de la Division Leclerc, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, Île-de-France, France
| | - S Liu
- China Institute of Atomic Energy, PO Box 275 (1), Beijing CN-102413, People's Republic of China
| | - S Romanov
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk region, Russia
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22
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Rühm W, Cool D, Clement C. Radiological protection revisited-the story continues. Radiat Environ Biophys 2021; 60:507-510. [PMID: 34671853 PMCID: PMC8551099 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-021-00949-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Donald Cool
- Vice Chair, International Commission on Radiological Protection, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Christopher Clement
- Scientific Secretary, International Commission on Radiological Protection, Ottawa, Canada
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23
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Laurier D, Rühm W, Paquet F, Applegate K, Cool D, Clement C. Areas of research to support the system of radiological protection. Radiat Environ Biophys 2021; 60:519-530. [PMID: 34657188 PMCID: PMC8522113 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-021-00947-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This document presents the ICRP's updated vision on "Areas of Research to Support the System of Radiological Protection", which have been previously published in 2017. It aims to complement the research priorities promoted by other relevant international organisations, with the specificity of placing them in the perspective of the evolution of the System of Radiological Protection. This document contributes to the process launched by ICRP to review and revise the System of Radiological Protection that will update the 2007 General Recommendations in ICRP Publication 103.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - W Rühm
- Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - F Paquet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Cadarache, France
| | - K Applegate
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - D Cool
- International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Vice-Chair, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - C Clement
- International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Walsh L, Shore R, Azizova TV, Rühm W. Reply and explanation to Little et al. "Response to: On the choice of methodology for evaluating dose‑rate effects on radiation‑related cancer risks". Radiat Environ Biophys 2021; 60:517-518. [PMID: 34591166 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-021-00944-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Walsh
- Department of Physics, Science Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Roy Shore
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, USA
| | - Tamara V Azizova
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorskoe Shosse 19, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, 456780, Russia
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München- German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
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Walsh L, Shore R, Azizova TV, Rühm W. On the choice of methodology for evaluating dose-rate effects on radiation-related cancer risks. Radiat Environ Biophys 2021; 60:493-500. [PMID: 34170393 PMCID: PMC8310494 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-021-00920-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Recently, several compilations of individual radiation epidemiology study results have aimed to obtain direct evidence on the magnitudes of dose-rate effects on radiation-related cancer risks. These compilations have relied on meta-analyses of ratios of risks from low dose-rate studies and matched risks from the solid cancer Excess Relative Risk models fitted to the acutely exposed Japanese A-bomb cohort. The purpose here is to demonstrate how choices of methodology for evaluating dose-rate effects on radiation-related cancer risks may influence the results reported for dose-rate effects. The current analysis is intended to address methodological issues and does not imply that the authors recommend a particular value for the dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor. A set of 22 results from one recent published study has been adopted here as a test set of data for applying the many different methods described here, that nearly all produced highly consistent results. Some recently voiced concerns, involving the recalling of the well-known theoretical point-the ratio of two normal random variables has a theoretically unbounded variance-that could potentially cause issues, are shown to be unfounded when aimed at the published work cited and examined in detail here. In the calculation of dose-rate effects for radiation protection purposes, it is recommended that meta-estimators should retain the full epidemiological and dosimetric matching information between the risks from the individual low dose-rate studies and the acutely exposed A-bomb cohort and that a regression approach can be considered as a useful alternative to current approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Walsh
- Department of Physics, Science Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Roy Shore
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Tamara V. Azizova
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorskoe shosse 19, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk region 456780 Russia
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München- German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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Brall T, Mares V, Bütikofer R, Rühm W. Assessment of secondary neutrons from galactic cosmic rays at mountain altitudes – Geant4 simulations and ground-based measurements of neutron energy spectra. RADIAT MEAS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2021.106592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Harrison RM, Ainsbury E, Alves J, Bottollier-Depois JF, Breustedt B, Caresana M, Clairand I, Fantuzzi E, Fattibene P, Gilvin P, Hupe O, Knežević Ž, Lopez MA, Olko P, Olšovcová V, Rabus H, Rühm W, Silari M, Stolarczyk L, Tanner R, Vanhavere F, Vargas A, Woda C. EURADOS STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA 2020: VISION FOR THE DOSIMETRY OF IONISING RADIATION. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2021; 194:42-56. [PMID: 33989429 PMCID: PMC8165425 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncab063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Since 2012, the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) has developed its Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), which contributes to the identification of future research needs in radiation dosimetry in Europe. Continued scientific developments in this field necessitate regular updates and, consequently, this paper summarises the latest revision of the SRA, with input regarding the state of the art and vision for the future contributed by EURADOS Working Groups and through a stakeholder workshop. Five visions define key issues in dosimetry research that are considered important over at least the next decade. They include scientific objectives and developments in (i) updated fundamental dose concepts and quantities, (ii) improved radiation risk estimates deduced from epidemiological cohorts, (iii) efficient dose assessment for radiological emergencies, (iv) integrated personalised dosimetry in medical applications and (v) improved radiation protection of workers and the public. This SRA will be used as a guideline for future activities of EURADOS Working Groups but can also be used as guidance for research in radiation dosimetry by the wider community. It will also be used as input for a general European research roadmap for radiation protection, following similar previous contributions to the European Joint Programme for the Integration of Radiation Protection Research, under the Horizon 2020 programme (CONCERT). The full version of the SRA is available as a EURADOS report (www.eurados.org).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E Ainsbury
- Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - J Alves
- Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), CTN, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J-F Bottollier-Depois
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - B Breustedt
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | - I Clairand
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - E Fantuzzi
- ENEA - Radiation Protection Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Fattibene
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - P Gilvin
- Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - O Hupe
- Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and Berlin, Germany
| | - Ž Knežević
- Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI), Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M A Lopez
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - P Olko
- Instytut Fizyki Jądrowej Polskiej Akademii Nauk (IFJ PAN), Kraków, Poland
| | - V Olšovcová
- ELI Beamlines, Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - H Rabus
- Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and Berlin, Germany
| | - W Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - M Silari
- CERN, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland
| | - L Stolarczyk
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus, Denmark
- Instytut Fizyki Jądrowej Polskiej Akademii Nauk (IFJ PAN), Kraków, Poland
| | - R Tanner
- Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - F Vanhavere
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK-CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - A Vargas
- Institute of Energy Technologies, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Woda
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Neuherberg, Germany
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Englbrecht FS, Trinkl S, Mares V, Rühm W, Wielunski M, Wilkens JJ, Hillbrand M, Parodi K. A comprehensive Monte Carlo study of out-of-field secondary neutron spectra in a scanned-beam proton therapy gantry room. Z Med Phys 2021; 31:215-228. [PMID: 33622567 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To simulate secondary neutron radiation fields that had been measured at different relative positions during phantom irradiation inside a scanning proton therapy gantry treatment room. Further, to identify origin, energy distribution, and angular emission of the secondary neutrons as a function of proton beam energy. METHODS The FLUKA Monte Carlo code was used to model the relevant parts of the treatment room in a scanned pencil beam proton therapy gantry including shielding walls, floor, major metallic gantry-components, patient table, and a homogeneous PMMA target. The proton beams were modeled based on experimental beam ranges in water and spot shapes in air. Neutron energy spectra were simulated at 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° relative to the beam axis at 2m distance from isocenter for monoenergetic 11×11cm2 fields from 200MeV, 140MeV, 75MeV initial proton beams, as well as for 118MeV protons with a 5cm thick PMMA range shifter. The total neutron spectra were scored for these four positions and proton energies. FLUKA neutron spectra simulations were crosschecked with Geant4 simulations using initial proton beam properties from FLUKA-generated phase spaces. Additionally, the room-components generating secondary neutrons in the room and their contributions to the total spectrum were identified and quantified. RESULTS FLUKA and Geant4 simulated neutron spectra showed good general agreement with published measurements in the whole simulated neutron energy range of 10-10 to 103MeV. As in previous studies, high-energy (E≥19.6MeV) neutrons from the phantom are most prevalent along 0°, while thermalized (1meV≤E<0.4eV) and fast (100keV≤E<19.4MeV) neutrons dominate the spectra in the lateral and backscatter direction. The iron of the large bending magnet and its counterweight mounted on the gantry were identified as the most determinant sources of secondary fast-neutrons, which have been lacking in simplified room simulations. CONCLUSIONS The results helped disentangle the origin of secondary neutrons and their dominant contributions and were strengthened by the fact that a cross comparison was made using two independent Monte Carlo codes. The complexity of such room model can in future be limited using the result. They may further be generalized in that they can be used for an assessment of neutron fields, possibly even at facilities where detailed neutron measurements and simulations cannot be performed. They may also help to design future proton therapy facilities and to reduce unwanted radiation doses from secondary neutrons to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz S Englbrecht
- LMU Munich, Faculty of Physics, Department of Medical Physics, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Trinkl
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Physics Department, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Vladimír Mares
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Werner Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marek Wielunski
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jan J Wilkens
- Technical University of Munich, Physics Department, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine and Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Martin Hillbrand
- Rinecker Proton Therapy Center, Schäftlarnstraße 133, 81371 München, Germany
| | - Katia Parodi
- LMU Munich, Faculty of Physics, Department of Medical Physics, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching bei München, Germany
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Preston RJ, Rühm W, Azzam EI, Boice JD, Bouffler S, Held KD, Little MP, Shore RE, Shuryak I, Weil MM. Adverse outcome pathways, key events, and radiation risk assessment. Int J Radiat Biol 2020; 97:804-814. [PMID: 33211576 PMCID: PMC10666972 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1853847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The overall aim of this contribution to the 'Second Bill Morgan Memorial Special Issue' is to provide a high-level review of a recent report developed by a Committee for the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) titled 'Approaches for Integrating Information from Radiation Biology and Epidemiology to Enhance Low-Dose Health Risk Assessment'. It derives from previous NCRP Reports and Commentaries that provide the case for integrating data from radiation biology studies (available and proposed) with epidemiological studies (also available and proposed) to develop Biologically-Based Dose-Response (BBDR) models. In this review, it is proposed for such models to leverage the adverse outcome pathways (AOP) and key events (KE) approach for better characterizing radiation-induced cancers and circulatory disease (as the example for a noncancer outcome). The review discusses the current state of knowledge of mechanisms of carcinogenesis, with an emphasis on radiation-induced cancers, and a similar discussion for circulatory disease. The types of the various informative BBDR models are presented along with a proposed generalized BBDR model for cancer and a more speculative one for circulatory disease. The way forward is presented in a comprehensive discussion of the research needs to address the goal of enhancing health risk assessment of exposures to low doses of radiation. The use of an AOP/KE approach for developing a mechanistic framework for BBDR models of radiation-induced cancer and circulatory disease is considered to be a viable one based upon current knowledge of the mechanisms of formation of these adverse health outcomes and the available technical capabilities and computational advances. The way forward for enhancing low-dose radiation risk estimates will require there to be a tight integration of epidemiology data and radiation biology information to meet the goals of relevance and sensitivity of the adverse health outcomes required for overall health risk assessment at low doses and dose rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Julian Preston
- Office of Air and Radiation, Radiation Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH) Ingolstaedter, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Edouard I Azzam
- Department of Radiology, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - John D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Simon Bouffler
- Radiation Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Kathryn D Held
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Roy E Shore
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael M Weil
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Nogueira P, Rühm W. Person-specific calibration of a partial body counter used for individualised Am 241skull measurements. J Radiol Prot 2020; 40:1362-1389. [PMID: 33017814 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/abbe36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Incorporation of bone seeking alpha-emitting radionuclides such as241Am are of special concern, due to the potential of alpha particles to damage the extremely radiation-sensitive bone marrow. In the case of an internal contamination with241Am, directin vivomeasurements using Gamma-detectors are typically used to quantify the incorporated activity. Such detectors need to be calibrated with an anatomical phantom, for example of the skull, of known241Am activity that reproduces the anatomy of the measured individual as closely as possible. Any difference in anatomy and material composition between phantom and individual will bias the estimation of the incorporated activity. Consequently, in this work the impact of the most important anatomical parameters on detection efficiency of one of the germanium detectors of the Helmholtz Center Munich (HMGU) partial body counter were systematically studied. For that a detailed model of the germanium detector was implemented in the Monte Carlo codes GEANT4 and MCNPX. To simulate the detector efficiency, various skull voxel phantoms were used. By changing the phantom dimensions and geometry the impact of parameters such as shape and size of the skull, thickness of tissue covering the skull bone, distribution of241Am across the scull and within the skull bone matrix, on the detector efficiency was studied. Approaches to correct for these parameters were specifically developed for three physical skull phantoms for which Voxel phantoms were available: Case 102 USTUR phantom, Max-06 phantom, BfS phantom. Based on the impact of each parameter, correction factors for an 'individual-specific' calibration were calculated and applied to a real241Am contamination case reported in 2014. It was found that the incorporated241Am activity measured with the HMGU partial body counter was about twice as large as that estimated when using the BfS skull phantom without applying any correction factor for person-specific parameters. It is concluded that the approach developed in the present study should in the future be applied routinely for skull phantom measurements, because it allows for a considerably improved reconstruction of incorporated241Am using partial body counters.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Nogueira
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - W Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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Applegate KE, Rühm W, Wojcik A, Bourguignon M, Brenner A, Hamasaki K, Imai T, Imaizumi M, Imaoka T, Kakinuma S, Kamada T, Nishimura N, Okonogi N, Ozasa K, Rübe CE, Sadakane A, Sakata R, Shimada Y, Yoshida K, Bouffler S. Individual response of humans to ionising radiation: governing factors and importance for radiological protection. Radiat Environ Biophys 2020; 59:185-209. [PMID: 32146555 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-020-00837-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue reactions and stochastic effects after exposure to ionising radiation are variable between individuals but the factors and mechanisms governing individual responses are not well understood. Individual responses can be measured at different levels of biological organization and using different endpoints following varying doses of radiation, including: cancers, non-cancer diseases and mortality in the whole organism; normal tissue reactions after exposures; and, cellular endpoints such as chromosomal damage and molecular alterations. There is no doubt that many factors influence the responses of people to radiation to different degrees. In addition to the obvious general factors of radiation quality, dose, dose rate and the tissue (sub)volume irradiated, recognized and potential determining factors include age, sex, life style (e.g., smoking, diet, possibly body mass index), environmental factors, genetics and epigenetics, stochastic distribution of cellular events, and systemic comorbidities such as diabetes or viral infections. Genetic factors are commonly thought to be a substantial contributor to individual response to radiation. Apart from a small number of rare monogenic diseases such as ataxia telangiectasia, the inheritance of an abnormally responsive phenotype among a population of healthy individuals does not follow a classical Mendelian inheritance pattern. Rather it is considered to be a multi-factorial, complex trait.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - W Rühm
- Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - A Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, MBW Department, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Bourguignon
- Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, University of Paris Saclay (UVSQ), Verseilles, France
| | - A Brenner
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - K Hamasaki
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - T Imai
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - M Imaizumi
- Department of Nagasaki Clinical Studies, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - T Imaoka
- Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - S Kakinuma
- Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - T Kamada
- QST Hospital, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - N Nishimura
- Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - N Okonogi
- QST Hospital, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - K Ozasa
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - C E Rübe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - A Sadakane
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - R Sakata
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Y Shimada
- National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Aomori, Japan
| | - K Yoshida
- Immunology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - S Bouffler
- Radiation Effects Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilto, Didcot, UK
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Brall T, Dommert M, Rühm W, Trinkl S, Wielunski M, Mares V. Monte Carlo simulation of the CERN-EU High Energy Reference Field (CERF) facility. RADIAT MEAS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2020.106294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Therapy, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - R M Harrison
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK
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Rühm W, Ainsbury E, Breustedt B, Caresana M, Gilvin P, Knežević Ž, Rabus H, Stolarczyk L, Vargas A, Bottollier-Depois J, Harrison R, Lopez M, Stadtmann H, Tanner R, Vanhavere F, Woda C, Clairand I, Fantuzzi E, Fattibene P, Hupe O, Olko P, Olšovcová V, Schuhmacher H, Alves J, Miljanic S. The European radiation dosimetry group – Review of recent scientific achievements. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2019.108514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Rühm W, Breckow J, Dietze G, Friedl A, Greinert R, Jacob P, Kistinger S, Michel R, Müller WU, Otten H, Streffer C, Weiss W. Dose limits for occupational exposure to ionising radiation and genotoxic carcinogens: a German perspective. Radiat Environ Biophys 2020; 59:9-27. [PMID: 31677018 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-019-00817-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This paper summarises the view of the German Commission on Radiological Protection ("Strahlenschutzkommission", SSK) on the rationale behind the currently valid dose limits and dose constraints for workers recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The paper includes a discussion of the reasoning behind current dose limits followed by a discussion of the detriment used by ICRP as a measure for stochastic health effects. Studies on radiation-induced cancer are reviewed because this endpoint represents the most important contribution to detriment. Recent findings on radiation-induced circulatory disease that are currently not included in detriment calculation are also reviewed. It appeared that for detriment calculations the contribution of circulatory diseases plays only a secondary role, although the uncertainties involved in their risk estimates are considerable. These discussions are complemented by a review of the procedures currently in use in Germany, or in discussion elsewhere, to define limits for genotoxic carcinogens. To put these concepts in perspective, actual occupational radiation exposures are exemplified with data from Germany, for the year 2012, and regulations in Germany are compared to the recommendations issued by ICRP. Conclusions include, among others, considerations on radiation protection concepts currently in use and recommendations of the SSK on the limitation of annual effective dose and effective dose cumulated over a whole working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Therapy, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | | | - Günter Dietze
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anna Friedl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Peter Jacob
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Heinz Otten
- Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung, Berlin, Germany
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Mares V, Brall T, Bütikofer R, Rühm W. Influence of environmental parameters on secondary cosmic ray neutrons at high-altitude research stations at Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, and Zugspitze, Germany. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2019.108557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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López MA, Nogueira P, Vrba T, Tanner RJ, Rühm W, Tolmachev SY. Measurements and Monte Carlo Simulations of 241Am Activities in Three Skull Phantoms: EURADOS-USTUR Collaboration. Health Phys 2019; 117:193-201. [PMID: 31022011 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An international intercomparison was organized by Working Group 7, Internal Dosimetry, of the European Radiation Dosimetry Group in collaboration with Working Group 6, Computational Dosimetry, for measurement and Monte Carlo simulation of Am in three skull phantoms. The main objectives of this combined exercise were (1) comparison of the results of counting efficiency in fixed positions over each head phantom using different germanium detector systems, (2) calculation of the activity of Am in the skulls, (3) comparison of Monte Carlo simulations with measurements (spectrum and counting efficiency), and (4) comparison of phantom performance. This initiative collected knowledge on equipment, detector arrangements, calibration procedures, and phantoms used around the world for in vivo monitoring of Am in exposed persons, as well as on the Monte Carlo skills and tools of participants. Three skull phantoms (BfS, USTUR, and CSR phantoms) were transported from Europe (10 laboratories) to North America (United States and Canada). The BfS skull was fabricated with real human bone artificially labeled with Am. The USTUR skull phantom was made from the US Transuranium and Uranium Registries whole-body donor (case 0102) who was contaminated due to an occupational intake of Am; one-half of the skull corresponds to real contaminated bone, the other half is real human bone from a noncontaminated person. Finally, the CSR phantom was fabricated as a simple hemisphere of equivalent bone and tissue material. The three phantoms differ in weight, size, and shape, which made them suitable for an efficiency study. Based on their own skull calibration, the participants calculated the activity in the three European Radiation Dosimetry Group head phantoms. The Monte Carlo intercomparison was organized in parallel with the measurement exercise using the voxel representations of the three physical phantoms; there were 16 participants. Three tasks were identified with increasing difficulty: (1) Monte Carlo simulation of the simple CSR hemisphere and the Helmholz Zentrum München high-purity germanium detector for calculating the counting efficiency for the 59.54 keV photons of Am, in established measurement geometry; (2) Monte Carlo simulation of particular measurement geometries using the BfS and USTUR voxel phantoms and the Helmholz Zentrum München high-purity germanium detector detector; and (3) application of Monte Carlo methodology to calculate the calibration factor of each participant for the detector system and counting geometry (single or multidetector arrangement) to be used for monitoring a person in each in vivo facility, using complex skull phantoms. The results of both exercises resulted in the conclusion that none of the three available head phantoms is appropriate as a reference phantom for the calibration of germanium detection systems for measuring Am in exposed adult persons. The main reasons for this are: (1) lack of homogeneous activity distribution in the bone material, or (2) inadequate shape/size for simulating an adult skull. Good agreement was found between Monte Carlo results and measurements, which supports Monte Carlo calibration of body counters as an alternative method when appropriate physical phantoms are not available and the detector and source are well known.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Antonia López
- CIEMAT, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, Radiation Dosimetry Unit, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Tomas Vrba
- Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Werner Rühm
- HMGU, Helmholtz ZentrumMünchen, National Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sergei Y Tolmachev
- USTUR, US Transuranium and Uranium Registries, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University
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Alves JG, Fantuzzi E, Rühm W, Gilvin P, Vargas A, Tanner R, Rabus H, Lopez MA, Breustedt B, Harrison R, Stolarczyk L, Fattibene P, Woda C, Caresana M, Knežević Ž, Bottollier-Depois JF, Clairand I, Mayer S, Miljanic S, Olko P, Schuhmacher H, Stadtmann H, Vanhavere F. EURADOS education and training activities. J Radiol Prot 2019; 39:R37-R50. [PMID: 31307030 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab3256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides a summary of the Education and Training (E&T) activities that have been developed and organised by the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) in recent years and in the case of Training Courses over the last decade. These E&T actions include short duration Training Courses on well-established topics organised within the activity of EURADOS Working Groups (WGs), or one-day events integrated in the EURADOS Annual Meeting (workshops, winter schools, the intercomparison participants' sessions and the learning network, among others). Moreover, EURADOS has recently established a Young Scientist Grant and a Young Scientist Award. The Grant supports young scientists by encouraging them to perform research projects at other laboratories of the EURADOS network. The Award is given in recognition of excellent work developed within the WGs' work programme. Additionally, EURADOS supports the dissemination of knowledge in radiation dosimetry by promoting and endorsing conferences such as the individual monitoring (IM) series, the neutron and ion dosimetry symposia (NEUDOS) and contributions to E&T sessions at specific events.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Alves
- EURADOS, EURADOS e.V. Postfach 1129, D-85758 Neuherberg, Germany. Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Laboratório de Proteção e Segurança Radiológica (LPSR), Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal. Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares (DECN), Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), do IST, Portugal
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Wakeford R, Azizova T, Dörr W, Garnier-Laplace J, Hauptmann M, Ozasa K, Rajaraman P, Sakai K, Salomaa S, Sokolnikov M, Stram D, Sun Q, Wojcik A, Woloschak G, Bouffler S, Grosche B, Kai M, Little MP, Shore RE, Walsh L, Rühm W. THE DOSE AND DOSE-RATE EFFECTIVENESS FACTOR (DDREF). Health Phys 2019; 116:96-99. [PMID: 30489371 PMCID: PMC10666559 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Wakeford
- Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee 1 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 91 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection
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Rühm W, Bottollier-Depois JF, Gilvin P, Harrison R, Knežević Ž, Lopez MA, Tanner R, Vargas A, Woda C. The work programme of EURADOS on internal and external dosimetry. Ann ICRP 2018; 47:20-34. [PMID: 29664324 DOI: 10.1177/0146645318756224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the early 1980s, the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) has been maintaining a network of institutions interested in the dosimetry of ionising radiation. As of 2017, this network includes more than 70 institutions (research centres, dosimetry services, university institutes, etc.), and the EURADOS database lists more than 500 scientists who contribute to the EURADOS mission, which is to promote research and technical development in dosimetry and its implementation into practice, and to contribute to harmonisation of dosimetry in Europe and its conformance with international practices. The EURADOS working programme is organised into eight working groups dealing with environmental, computational, internal, and retrospective dosimetry; dosimetry in medical imaging; dosimetry in radiotherapy; dosimetry in high-energy radiation fields; and harmonisation of individual monitoring. Results are published as freely available EURADOS reports and in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Moreover, EURADOS organises winter schools and training courses on various aspects relevant for radiation dosimetry, and formulates the strategic research needs in dosimetry important for Europe. This paper gives an overview on the most important EURADOS activities. More details can be found at www.eurados.org .
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- a Department of Radiation Sciences, Institute for Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Centre Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - M A Lopez
- f Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, Spain
| | | | - A Vargas
- g Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
| | - C Woda
- a Department of Radiation Sciences, Institute for Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Centre Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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41
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Salama E, Ehab M, Rühm W. Radon and thoron concentrations inside ancient Egyptian tombs at Saqqara region: Time-resolved and seasonal variation measurements. Nuclear Engineering and Technology 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2018.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Abstract
The aim of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is to protect humans against cancer and other diseases and effects associated with exposure to ionising radiation, and also to protect the environment, without unduly limiting the beneficial use of ionising radiation. As of the second half of 2017, four committees are contributing to the overall mission of ICRP, including Committee 1 (Radiation Effects). The role of Committee 1 includes consideration of the risks and mechanisms of induction of cancer and heritable disease; discussion of the risks, severity, and mechanisms of induction of tissue/organ damage and developmental defects; and review of the effects of ionising radiation on non-human biota at population level. This paper gives an overview of the recent activities of Committee 1, and discusses the focus of its active task groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- a Department of Radiation Sciences, Institute for Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Centre Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - N Ban
- b Nuclear Regulation Authority, Japan
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Rühm W, Azizova T, Bouffler S, Cullings HM, Grosche B, Little MP, Shore RS, Walsh L, Woloschak GE. Typical doses and dose rates in studies pertinent to radiation risk inference at low doses and low dose rates. J Radiat Res 2018; 59:ii1-ii10. [PMID: 29432579 PMCID: PMC5941142 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrx093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In order to quantify radiation risks at exposure scenarios relevant for radiation protection, often extrapolation of data obtained at high doses and high dose rates down to low doses and low dose rates is needed. Task Group TG91 on 'Radiation Risk Inference at Low-dose and Low-dose Rate Exposure for Radiological Protection Purposes' of the International Commission on Radiological Protection is currently reviewing the relevant cellular, animal and human studies that could be used for that purpose. This paper provides an overview of dose rates and doses typically used or present in those studies, and compares them with doses and dose rates typical of those received by the A-bomb survivors in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tamara Azizova
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorskoe Shosse 19, 456780, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russian Federation
| | - Simon Bouffler
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England (PHE), Chilton, Didcot OX11 ORQ, UK
| | - Harry M Cullings
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5–2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Bernd Grosche
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Roy S Shore
- New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Linda Walsh
- Medical Physics Group, Department of Physics, Science Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gayle E Woloschak
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Cell and Molecular Biology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 300 E. Superior St., Tarry 4-760, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Rühm W, Friedl AA, Wojcik A. Coordinated radiation protection research in Europe: is it the beginning of a new era? Radiat Environ Biophys 2018; 57:1-4. [PMID: 29260314 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-017-0727-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- Institute for Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Anna A Friedl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - A Wojcik
- Centre for Radiation Protection Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tanha MR, Vahlbruch JW, Riebe B, Irlinger J, Rühm W, Khalid FR, Storai A, Walther C. MEASUREMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN USING AN ACTIVE RADON EXPOSURE METER AND ASSESSMENT OF RELATED ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2018; 178:122-130. [PMID: 28985380 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncx086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Radon gas concentrations in eight basements, four living rooms and four caves from different locations in Kabul and Panjsher, Afghanistan, were measured by using eight active radon exposure meters recently developed by the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Germany. The two-phase measurements lasted from a week to a year. In the first phase of measurements which lasted one week, the mean activity concentrations ranged from 6 to 120 Bq/m3 and 25 to 139 Bq/m3 for the basements and caves, respectively. In the second phase of measurements which lasted one year, the mean activity concentrations ranged from 33 to 2064 Bq/m3 and the corresponding effective annual doses calculated for the inhabitants were in the range between 0.6 and 33.4 mSv. As some of the values are rather high and exceed the recommended recommendations by IAEA and ICRP, based on the local conditions a number of simple recommendations has been proposed for the possible reduction of effective annual dose caused by radon in the measurement locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad R Tanha
- Institut für Radioökologie und Strahlenschutz, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan-Willem Vahlbruch
- Institut für Radioökologie und Strahlenschutz, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Beate Riebe
- Institut für Radioökologie und Strahlenschutz, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Josef Irlinger
- Institute of Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Fazal R Khalid
- Afghan Atomic Energy High Commission, Near Silo-e-Markaz, 1001 Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Abobaker Storai
- Afghan Atomic Energy High Commission, Near Silo-e-Markaz, 1001 Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Clemens Walther
- Institut für Radioökologie und Strahlenschutz, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
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Shore R, Walsh L, Azizova T, Rühm W. Risk of solid cancer in low dose-rate radiation epidemiological studies and the dose-rate effectiveness factor. Int J Radiat Biol 2017; 93:1064-1078. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2017.1319090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roy Shore
- Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, U.S.A
| | - Linda Walsh
- Department of Physics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Azizova
- Clinical Department, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Russia
| | - Werner Rühm
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Institute of Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Centre Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
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Rühm W, Eidemüller M, Kaiser JC. Biologically-based mechanistic models of radiation-related carcinogenesis applied to epidemiological data. Int J Radiat Biol 2017; 93:1093-1117. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2017.1310405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Helmholtz Center München, Institute of Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Markus Eidemüller
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Helmholtz Center München, Institute of Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jan Christian Kaiser
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Helmholtz Center München, Institute of Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany
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Trinkl S, Mares V, Englbrecht FS, Wilkens JJ, Wielunski M, Parodi K, Rühm W, Hillbrand M. Systematic out-of-field secondary neutron spectrometry and dosimetry in pencil beam scanning proton therapy. Med Phys 2017; 44:1912-1920. [DOI: 10.1002/mp.12206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Trinkl
- Institute of Radiation Protection; Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU); Neuherberg Germany
- Department of Physik; Technical University of Munich; Munich Germany
| | - Vladimir Mares
- Institute of Radiation Protection; Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU); Neuherberg Germany
| | | | - Jan Jakob Wilkens
- Department of Physik; Technical University of Munich; Munich Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology; Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar; Munich Germany
| | - Marek Wielunski
- Institute of Radiation Protection; Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU); Neuherberg Germany
| | - Katia Parodi
- Department of Medical Physics; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Garching b. München Germany
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Protection; Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU); Neuherberg Germany
| | - Martin Hillbrand
- Department of Medical Physics; Rinecker Proton Therapy Center; Munich Germany
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