6 D. Laurier and T. Schneider: Radioprotection 2025, 60( 1), 4 – 8
flexibility should be further investigated while ensuring an adequate level of protection.
– Review research on radiation effects: Identify the research needs to assess the health impact of combined exposure situations was highlighted together with the integration of radiation in a more holistic approach( Laurier et al., 2021). Improving the characterisation of effects beyond cancer, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological defects, transgenerational effects are key challenges for the future. In addition, it is necessary to better consider the role of individual factors in the application of the System, notably in the medical sector( Harrison et al., 2023).
– Reinforce justification and optimisation in medicine: Explaining the benefits as well as the risks associated with diagnostic imaging procedures for justification and optimisation of protection is important, with the aim to go toward a better assessment of the benefit-risk balance( Housni et al., 2023). This should be accompanied by the development of approaches to communication with patients and their families to achieve a better understanding of the benefit-risk balance in the use of ionizing radiations in medicine( e. g., The Bonn Call for Action, IAEA and WHO 2014).
– Adapt to evolutions: The recent evolutions call for considering new technological developments, as well as ethical and societal changes, over time. Specific attention should be devoted to the contribution of artificial intelligence( AI) to the application of the System. In the therapeutic field, new treatment techniques( e. g. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy( BNCT), FLASH, etc.) raise new questions to ensure radiological protection of patients. These technologies have the potential to bring benefit to the patients though it is important for tracking their health effects. The revision process should consider any major changes in the“ nuclear landscape”, such as the quick and recent development of nuclear energy and the development of new reactors( i. e., Small Modular Reactors( SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactor( AMR)) in many different countries( Bourguignon, 2023).
– Protect the environment: ICRP Publication 91( ICRP 2003) introduced the protection of the environment in the System and was further developed in Publication 108( ICRP, 2018). One panellist during the workshop raised the case of low discharges from facilities during normal operation and questioned the need for further consideration on the protection of the environment, suggesting that in that case the protection of humans is generally enough to protect wildlife. It was highlighted that today there is an international consensus on the need to demonstrate explicitly that the environment is adequately protected from the potential harmful effects of ionizing radiation, reflected through benchmark proposals, not only by ICRP but also by several organizations( IAEA, UNSCEAR) or countries( USA, Canada). In addition, it was mentioned that considering protection of the environment is essential in some cases like existing or future post-accidental situations, where non-human species may live in area restricted for human( Takada and Schneider, 2023).
– Develop a global / holistic approach of protection: It appears in some situations that the measures implemented to reduce radiological risks can lead to increase other risks( for instance musculoskeletal disorders, conventional safety at work, etc.). A holistic consideration of risks especially in the optimization approach could be proposed.
– Improve communication: A recuring request was to better explain the basic features underlying the System. This includes the use of plain language, clarification of the assessment of risks at low doses, comparison of radiationrelated risks with other risk factors, improved communication about very low radiation-related risks, such as those induced in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant or a radioactive waste disposal within normal operational conditions.
– Enhance transparency: Better explaining the different steps and parameters involved in the construction of the System should improve the transparency of the ICRP recommendations as well as the quality assurance in the assessment of doses and risks.
– Engage with the civil society: The importance of the civil society was clearly demonstrated in some specific exposure situations such as post-accidental situations( Raisio et al., 2023). Therole of thecivil societyshouldbe reinforced in ICRP activities by better involving representatives of civil society in the TGs as well as by organising a dedicated dialogue with them during the consultation process, based on the example of the Fukushima dialogues( Ando et al., 2023). Local Information Committees and Commissions( CLIs) as exist in France could contribute to better integrate the civil society in ICRP activities. To help this process, ICRP should facilitate access to documents and reports( reduced cost, translation in different languages, etc.).
– Encourage a good radiological protection culture: To develop the radiological protection culture, training young professionals is necessary as well as promoting radiological protection in the context of a shortage of professionals( Rühm et al., 2023). It is also essential to build messages directed to radiological protection professionals and to the civil society, such as people living near nuclear power plants and to use lessons learned from Fukushima to develop the radiological protection culture( Thu Zar et al., 2023). SFRP expressed its support to disseminate information on the process of review and revision of the radiological protection System currently carried by ICRP and to facilitate the participation of the French community of radiological protection in this process.
– Reinforce the reference to ethics: ICRP Publication 138 on the ethical foundations of the System( ICRP, 2018) is central for the application of the System and should be reinforced in the forthcoming publications. Specific considerations should be devoted to address the challenges associated with long-term issues such as those related to contaminated sites or waste management, or the ethics in radiological protection for patient imaging and therapy.