The Main Commission (MC) met in Vienna Austria from January 24-26 2003.
The MC reviewed the following reports for the review and approval process:
• Protection of non-human species from ionising radiation
• Biological effects after pre-natal irradiation (embryo and fetus)
• Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE), Radiation Weighting Factor (wR),and Quality Factor (Q)
• Human Alimentary Tract Model for Radiological Protection
The former three documents were approved by the MC while the last report’s model and work was endorsed by the Commission. Discussion surrounding the documents was concerned with derived weighting factors, clarity of statements, and consistent word usage. Final approval for unaccepted documents is to be scheduled at the MC November 2003 meeting.
The MC was presented The Evolution of the System of Radiological Protection and Progress report on C4 world and input to the 2005 Recommendations for the purpose of incorporating into the ICRP 2005 publication. Prevalent topics in the discussion were related to choice of word usage, and the possible introduction of additional weighting factors for different age groups. The Commission requested that work was to be continued on the report and that the draft recommendations would be discussed at the MC June meeting.
The MC received a request for creation of an additional Task Group from L-E Holm and a request to invite another member to TG INDOS.
J Valentin gave a report to the MC regarding the importance of adhering to a schedule for publications of Annals of the ICRP.
The MC was reminded that it is to nominate three ranked candidates for the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Gold Medal for Radiation Protection. Each member of the MC is to send 3 names to the Scientific Secretary before May 2003.
The MC confirmed that the 2003 Joint meeting is to take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina Nov 2-6 2003.