Programme outline
  

The scope of the programme is broad, covering all fields of ionising and non-ionising radiation, ranging from detection methods and dosimetry to societal issues. Biological and health effects of ionising radiation focus on low dose risk, and presentations on topics like non-cancer effects and individual sensitivity are foreseen.      In line with the new ICRP recommendations, the programme includes the three main categories of exposure situations: planned, emergency and existing exposures. Special areas of interest in the patient protection domain are e.g. medical exposure of pediatric patients, PET (PET/CT), justification applied to individual patients, radiation protection in radiotherapy, clinical audits, and new medical techniques. Justification, optimisation and ethics are always in focus.      As for emergency situations, recent efforts to improve security include prevention of illicit trafficking, security of sealed sources and security at major public events. New technological opportunities that help improve safety and aid law enforcement personnel dealing with such situations are described. Learning from recent accidents will help to mitigate similar incidents in the future.      Natural radiation in the environment, like radon, may cause major public exposure and require immediate mitigation actions. Also naturally occurring radioactive substances in various raw materials (NORM) and industrial by-products and wastes often call for radiation protection actions. NORM materials may need special attention e.g. in mining, milling or processing of various natural materials, as also in oil and gas production. Reports on experiences concerning the new framework for radiation protection of the biota are encouraged.      The importance of non-ionising radiation protection is increasing along with the number of electronic devices and wireless communication used in modern society. In addition, occupational exposure to magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging is an important topic in this congress.      The programme includes two specialist workshops, one on safe and effective use of radiation in health care and another on radiation protection issues in nuclear industry.
Congress topics
Radiation detection technologies	Natural radiation, radon, NORM
Radionuclide analytics	Nuclear and radiological
	emergencies and incidents
Dosimetry
Biological effects of ionising radiation	Nuclear security and
	malevolent use of radiation
Health effects of ionising radiation
Radiation protection recommendations,	Medical response in radiation
standards and regulations	accidents
Radiation protection of workers	Non-ionising radiation protection
Radiation protection of patients	Decommissioning
Radiation protection of the public	Waste management
Radiation in the environment	Radiation and the society
Radiation protection of biota	Education, training and RP culture