S II 4 – 1819/006-2022.0001 03.03.2022
Dr. Keller
RD Michalczak
ICRP „Radiological Protection in Veterinary Practice”
(TG110 – Draft for Consultation)
The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) welcomes taking radiological protection in veterinary practice into greater account. This approach could be supported by guidance for the application of ionising radiation and radioactive substances in veterinary medicine that also considers the exposure of the persons involved. Such guidance should put adequate veterinary examination and treatment procedures in an overall veterinary context. In addition, it would also be helpful for informing and training all those involved.
Due to the huge number of differences between species and the great effort required for implementation, however, transferring established radiological protection requirements and regimes applying to the treatment of humans, such as establishing diagnostic reference levels, regular audits or a dose calculation of all radiological applications, is considered disproportionate and therefore rejected.
Nevertheless, the BMUV takes the view that sound training of veterinary staff and the called for optimisation of planned radiological applications are the main starting points. The measures to protect persons involved in the radiological application, as also called for in the IAEA Safety Report 104, can serve as a suitable standard.