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SC 1-18:  Use of Ionizing Radiation Screening Systems for Detection of Radioactive Materials That Could Represent a Threat to Homeland Security

NCRP will be preparing two commentaries and four reports that address health and environmental protection concerns related to the deployment of active detection technologies for identifying and interdicting special nuclear materials and other radiological materials that could represent a threat to national security. The commentary being prepared by SC 1-18 represents the first of these new NCRP efforts.

The Committee will prepare a commentary that provides an evaluation and develops recommendations for radiation protection goals and philosophy including the fundamental principles of exposure justification, optimization (ALARA), and limitation for potential exposures of individuals or groups of individuals resulting from the deployment of ionizing radiation-based technologies for the detection and interdiction of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and other radiological terrorism threat materials.

The commentary being prepared by SC 1-18 will provide an evaluation of the following issues of importance in the development and deployment of security systems involving ionizing radiation: (1) the national need and benefit-to-risk aspects of deploying them; (2) the use of these systems for reducing WMD threats in the context of a national security perspective; (3) public concerns regarding the use of ionizing radiation systems for security surveillance and screening of persons and materiel, including an evaluation of the acceptability to the public and government regulators of potential risks associated with the use of ionizing radiation security systems; and (4) appropriate limitations on radiation exposure from ionizing radiation security systems consistent with the fundamental principles of radiation protection applied to operating personnel, bystanders, and members of the general public, especially those who may be in inspected areas.

Two meetings of the Committee were held September 17-18 and November 9-10, 2009. SC 1-18 held its third meeting on February 4, 2010. The Committee reviewed the draft commentary, identifying gaps and addressing its organization. There were extensive discussions on the recommendation for dose limits associated with the use of active detection technologies and on the ethical issues associated with inadvertent exposures. Assignments were made for revisions and additions. The draft was shared with SC 1-19 to allow coordination efforts.

 

SC 1-13 Impact of Individual Susceptibility and Previous
Radiation Exposure on Radiation Risk for Astronauts >

SC 1-15 Radiation Protection and Science Goals
for Short-Term Lunar Missions >

SC 1-16 Uncertainties in the Estimation of Radiation Risks
and Probability of Disease Causation >

SC 1-17 Second Cancers and Cardiopulmonary
Effects After Radiotherapy >

SC 1-19 Health Protection Issues Associated with Use of Active Detection
Technology Security Systems for Detection of Radioactive Threat Materials >

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