2024-12-06
Because member states will listen. Seriously, they will.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s Basic Safety Standards (BSS) are the unsung hero of global policy. Governments, hospitals, businesses, and industries all rely on these standards to safely use ionising radiation. But here’s the kicker: those standards wouldn’t exist without the brainpower of over 400 international experts from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Their recommendations are in many ways part of the foundation of the BSS. Think of ICRP as the behind-the-scenes team quietly making sure the “radioactive” part of your job doesn’t go sideways.
When I joined ICRP in late 2016, I was blissfully clueless about radiological protection. Frankly, I thought “ionising radiation” was a fancy way of saying “Don’t touch that, it glows.” Over time, though, I’ve developed a deep respect for the work of ICRP’s volunteers. They’re not just brilliant; they’re also patient enough to explain things to people like me—who still occasionally wonder why we need all these acronyms.
One of the first things I learned is that the future of radiological protection (RP) is in trouble. Imagine this: the world is racing ahead with incredible technologies powered by ionising radiation—nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, SMRs, space exploration, industrial applications, and even food irradiation—yet radiological protection is struggling to keep up. Funding for research is scarce, fewer students are entering RP programmes, and current professionals often lack opportunities to advance their expertise. It’s like a really bad rom-com where one side is ready to commit, and the other is ghosting. Except instead of heartbreak, we’re risking progress, safety, and public trust.
Cue the Vancouver Call for Action, announced at ICRP 2021+1. Think of it as a global rally cry: “Invest in radiological protection or prepare for chaos.” Okay, maybe not that dramatic, but the stakes are high. The call urged:
This call for action got a huge boost in 2024 when 19 major organisations, including the IAEA, (as well as some principal investigators from the United States in 2023), basically said, “Yep, this is important.” So what’s the next step? It’s time for someone with global clout to make radiological protection the star of the show.
Enter Director General Rafael Grossi. I attended the IAEA’s 68th General Conference this September, and let me tell you, it was an eye-opener. Thousands of delegates gathered to discuss some of the world’s most pressing issues, and many of them (to my shock) had no idea what ICRP was or how much we contribute to the Basic Safety Standards. That’s like people eating pizza and not knowing cheese exists.
Grossi's opening speech was packed with hope and positivity, reminding everyone of the IAEA’s unique mandate to solve problems that affect all of humanity. He talked about advancing medicine, energy, and technology, many of which rely on ionising radiation. But here’s the thing: none of these advancements work without solid radiological protection. It’s like trying to build a spaceship without an engineer—you’re going to need someone who knows their stuff.
At the next General Conference, Grossi has the chance to be a champion for the RP profession. He can highlight the Vancouver Call for Action, point to the organisations that have backed it (including his own), and tell member states to stop dragging their feet. Governments and industries need to invest in radiological protection—not just for their own countries, but for those that need extra support.
And while I’m absolutely not suggesting Grossi should champion ICRP specifically (okay, maybe just a little), it would be great if he threw us a nod. I mean, we’ve been quietly making the world safer for almost a century. Is a little shoutout too much to ask?
In the end, the case is clear: the world needs to invest in radiological protection. Grossi has the voice and the platform to make this happen. So let’s hope he takes the mic next year and tells everyone exactly what they need to hear. And if he throws in a compliment for ICRP? Well, I wouldn’t be mad.
Kon'nichiwa from Fukushima,
Kelsey Cloutier
Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Communications, ICRP