J. M. Bertho et M. Bourguignon: Radioprotection 2026, 61( 2), 78 – 79 79
Radiation protection for workers in France( ASNR, 2025) and in Europe appears to be generally well regulated by the authorities, as evidenced by exposure levels that are well below regulatory limits. Internationally, the situation is more varied: in some countries, radiation protection systems are weakened or being challenged, while in others, they are still in the process of being established and implemented( UNSCEAR, 2021). In this context, several issues continue to engage the radiation protection community. Interventional radiology, which is expanding rapidly, constitutes a growing source of exposure for many professionals and requires enhanced monitoring( Almalki et al., 2025). Lens exposure remains a major concern, including in a nuclear medicine department where it has been assessed( Nasr et al., 2024). Radiation protection against radon remains a significant occupational health issue( Taino et al., 2025), given that radon is recognized as the second leading risk factor for lung cancer after tobacco, particularly among nonsmokers( Cheng et al., 2021; Riudavets et al., 2022).
Worker radiation protection also depends on the daily vigilance of radiation protection experts( RPE), one of whose roles is to train workers in radiation protection( Euratom, 2023). The RPEs at French cancer centers have developed an online training course within their Unicancer federation( Bandelier et al., 2026) and are offering it to other centers. Training remains a key element in fostering a culture of radiation protection.
These few examples show that it is important to continue these efforts, particularly by publishing examples of job assessments or lessons learned. So, share your experience: get typing!
Jean Marc Bertho, Michel Bourguignon co-rédacteurs en chef References Almalki M, Shubayr N, Alkabkab A, Aldosari A, Aldawood S. 2025. Assessment of occupational radiation exposure among various medical professions in interventional cardiology: A five-year study( 2018 – 2022). Radioprotection 60( 3): 234 – 241.
ASNR. 2025. Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection. Bilan 2024 des expositions professionnelles aux rayonnements ionisants en France. https:// www. asnr. fr / actualites / bilan-2024-des-expositions-professionnelles-aux-rayonnements-ionisants-en-france.
Bandelier V, Manach C, Buchheit I, Vanquin L, Barghal I, Fouris C, Donnarieix Laplanche D, Delporte L, Rabenjason S. 2026. Radioprotection des travailleurs: formation en ligne Unicancer. Radioprotection 61( 1): 39 – 47. https:// doi. org / 10.1051 / radiopro / 2025052.
Cheng ES, Egger S, Hughes S, Weber M, Steinberg J, Rahman B, Worth H, Ruano-Ravina A, Rawstorne P, Yu XQ. 2021. Systematic review and meta-analysis of residential radon and lung cancer in never-smokers. Eur. Respir. Rev. 30: 200230.
Euratom. 2023. Council Directive 2013 / 59 / Euratom of 5 December 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation, and repealing Directives 89 / 618 / Euratom, 90 / 641 / Euratom, 96 / 29 / Euratom, 97 / 43 / Euratom and 2003 / 122 / Euratom. https:// eur-lex. europa. eu / eli / dir / 2013 / 59 / 2014-01-17.
Habib Geryes B, Lebaron-Jacobs L, Mercat C, Bertho JM, Bourguignon M. 2025. Les niveaux de référence diagnostiques en imagerie médicale: des exigences pour l’ optimisation de la radioprotection des patients. Radioprotection 60( 4): 294.
Michel C, Cellier M, Isambert A. 2026. Radiation protection management for the deceased patients in nuclear medicine. Part 1: Staff in charge of body transport and embalming. Radioprotection 61( 2): 146 – 155. Lestaevel P, Bah T, Roy H, Lin D, Rousseau F, Bauduin E, Pultier M, Billarand Y. 2026. Information system for monitoring occupational exposure to ionizing radiation( SISERI) in France. Radioprotection 61( 2): 156 – 165. Nasr RY, Albahiti SK, Khafaji M, Shabib NG, Malabari RA. 2024. Occupational eye lens dose among nuclear medicine workers in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Radioprotection 59( 3): 220 – 224. Riudavets M, Garcia de Herreros M, Besse B, Mezquita L. 2022. Radon and lung cancer: Current trends and future perspectives. Cancers( Basel)
14( 13): 3142. Taino G, Delogu A, Pintucci R, Semborowski L, Oddone E, Osuchowski A, Solazzo F. 2025. Medical surveillance of workers exposed to radon:
New perspectives in lung cancer prevention. Radioprotection 60( 1): 76 – 83. UNSCEAR. 2021. UNSCEAR 2020 / 2021 Report to the General Assembly, ANNEX D. Evaluation of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. https:// www. unscear. org / unscear / uploads / documents / publications / UNSCEAR _ 2020 _ 21 _ Annex-D. pdf.
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