Radiation may have a greater impact on humans than previously believed. At a conference on new findings on the effects of ionising radiation in Berlin, Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel called for the new knowledge to be implemented swiftly into radiation protection law and enforced in practice. "All the new facts must be thoroughly examined in order to clearly establish whether our existing protection systems still properly and appropriately reflect the status of knowledge," said Gabriel. "Where this is not the case, we must act without delay". The minister stressed that this is a matter of meeting environmental policy's basic obligation to take timely and appropriate precautionary action against environmental and health risks, and applies to radiation protection law at both European and national level. "Protection standards should not lag behind science," said Gabriel, "and neither should practical enforcement."
The radiation protection conference takes place in Berlin today in the framework of the German EU Presidency. The new basic recommendation of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) was presented and discussed (Dr. Lars-Erik Holm). In addition to this recommendation, latest scientific findings were presented on radiation-related cancers in nuclear power plant workers (Dr. Elisabeth Cardis), the risk of lung cancer from radon exposure (Dr. Margot Tirmarche) and features of radiation sensitivity, especially in women and the unborn child. (Prof. Dr. Wolfgang-Ulrich Müller).
The new findings were discussed intensively with scientists and government representatives from different European countries and the European Union. It became clear that the findings on the table called for a swift reaction from radiation protection authorities. Although existing radiation protection plans are not questioned in principle, thought must be given to specifying, adapting and revising them.
The following aspects were at the heart of the debate:
- Cancers in nuclear power plant workers. The impact of low exposures has been underestimated in the past in two respects. The relative radiation risk in the area of occupational radiation exposure is definitely comparable to that of high exposures. Increased rates of cancer are already observed in the case of occupational lifetime doses which comply with the limit values currently in force. Lowering the limit values must be investigated as a matter of urgency.
- Lung cancer caused by radioactive radon in living spaces: the risk of radon-related lung cancer in habitations increases by around 8% per 100 Becquerel per cubic metre (Bq/m³). Additional cases of cancer are already observed at between 100 and 200 Bq/m. Every year in Germany around 1,800 people die due to radon – one person every four hours. Radon may also play a role in child leukaemia. There is an urgent need for action to reduce radon exposures. The target value for new buildings is 100 Bq/m³, a guideline value for remediation work in existing buildings is 200 Bq/m³.
- Radiation sensitivity: radiation sensitivity of the unborn child is particularly high, while radiation sensitivity of women appears to be twice as high as that of men. Furthermore, radiation sensitivity of the eye lens is higher than previously assumed. Research in this field must be continued and intensified, and lowering the limit value for the eye lens must be investigated as a matter of urgency.
Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel advocated the preservation of skills in radiation protection and stressed the need for targeted further research. This is the aim behind the establishment of the "Kompetenzverbund Strahlenforschung" in Germany, an association of experts in the field of radiation research which ensures close cooperation between research centres and universities, and supports the next generation of scientists. However, preservation of skills also concerns the enforcement authorities, as they can only keep pace with practical enforcement if they have adequate and well-qualified personnel.
Sigmar Gabriel particularly welcomed the fact that the ICRP has taken up the concept of sustainability in environmental protection and applied it to radiation protection. Protecting the environment also independently of people is an essential element of a sustainable environmental policy.