INTRODUCTION

M. Sonck (Federal Agency for Nuclear Control)

Information session on aircrew exposure to cosmic radiation – Brussels – 20/01/2009

FANC: Who are we ?

Federal Agency for Nuclear Control: Belgian regulatory body for radiation protection and nuclear safety.

5 departments:

- Regulations, International Affairs and Development- Facilities : licensing & inspection- Transport and security- Environment and health - Administration

FANC: Who are we ?

Department Environment and Health:

Section « Surveillance of territory and natural radiation »e.g. monitoring of exposure due to natural radiation sources (cosmic radiation of aircrew + radon + natural radioactive materials in non nuclear industries)

Section « Protection of health, dosimetry and medical physics »:Check & assess the health’s risk resulting from exposure to radiation and contribute to its management.

Origin of the problem

In the universe: 109 photons (radiation) for every particle:

Human life is permanently being ‘irradiated’Ionising radiation originating from the cosmos is called Cosmic radiation

Human life protected by atmosphere

However, at high altitudes, there is less protection, leading to significant higher exposure levels

Cosmic radiation: european regulatory framework

European Directive 96/29/EURATOM (European Basic Safety Standards)

Article 42 : “Undertakings operating aircraft shall take account of exposure to cosmic radiation of aircrew who are liable to be subject to exposure > 1 mSv/year”

1 mSv/y: dose limit for public (not professionally exposed workers)

1 mSv ~ increased risk of cancer (fatal or not fatal) of 5.5 / 100,000 (International Commission of Radioprotection)

Schedule

10:00-10:10 Introduction M. Sonck (FANC)

10:10-10:30 Belgian regulation with respect to cosmic radiation exposure and results of the dose assessments

S. Pepin (FANC)

10:30-10:40 Belgian dosimetric database: prospect and practical aspects

A. Fremout (FANC)

10:40-11:00 Overview of the radiation protection of aircrews in Europe

A. Poffijn (FANC)

11:00-12:00 Calculations codes for dose assessment -V. Mares (representative EPCARD)-P. Wollenberg (representative Globalog)-F. Lemay (representative PCAIRE)

12:00 – 12:30 Q&A