Radiation protection

TOPIC

Radiation protection

Radiation protection

Humans are exposed to radiation, both by human activity and of natural origin. Exposure to radon in homes and exposures for medical purposes are the main sources of exposure to ionizing radiation in the population. Much attention is also aroused by the growing exposures to non-ionizing radiation related to technological media.

Since its foundation, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS, the National Institute of Health in Italy) has always protected and promoted public health from the risks deriving from exposure to radiation, including their optimized use in the medical field for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. This activity is also carried out through national and international collaborations (e.g., since 2018, a WHO Collaboration Center on "Radiation and health" has been operating in ISS).

Radiation is characterized according to their ability to ionize the matter they strike, that is to modify the number of electrons of an atom, which corresponds to various possible damages to the exposed organisms:

  • ionizing radiation (X and gamma rays and subatomic particles, e.g. alpha particles)
  • non-ionizing radiation (low energy electromagnetic waves, ultrasound)
  • Ionizing radiation can penetrate the human body from the outside (for example, during a radiographic examination) or from the inside following the inhalation or ingestion of the so-called radioactive isotopes (e.g., the inhalation of radon present in homes or ingestion of isotopes present in food following contamination from nuclear accidents).

The information on this site is intended to help inform about radiation sources, exposure levels and related health risks, based on ISS research, consultancy and coordination activities.

Dipartimenti/Centri/Servizi

National center for radiation protection and computational physics

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Radiation protection

Back Meeting Challenges of Radiological Protection in Research and Society

On 13 and 14 September 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the meeting "Challenges on Radiological Protection in Research and Society" will be held at the Centro Congressi Sapienza in Via Salaria 113 (Roma).

The event, promoted by the ICRP, has been co-organised by the National Centre for Radiation Protection and Computational Physics of the ISS together with the University of Milan, INFN, ISIN and La Sapienza University.

The ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) is the international commission which provides recommendations and guidance on all aspects of protection from ionizing radiation.

The ICRP has begun a process of reviewing and updating the Radiation Protection System that involves an open and transparent process of involvement of organizations, individuals and all stakeholders in this process.

The meeting marks the start of this participatory renewal process.

Many disciplines are related to radiation protection research needs: dosimetry, medical imaging and radiotherapy, ethics, social sciences, radiobiology, modelling, uncertainty analysis.

This event in Rome represents for the italian national community a special and unique moment of direct contact with the ICRP's Main Commission, with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of issues related to changes in science and society.

Participation in the conference is free of charge but pre-registration is essential by completing and sending the registration form to the organizational secretariat (f.ghelli@fasiweb.com) by 6 September.

Topics

Radiation protection

Elenco Argomenti