European Committee on Radiation Risk
Comité Européen sur le Risque de l’Irradiation
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New publication: Chernobyl, 20 Years On [Now a free download]
The Greens were alarmed at the potential for radioactivity to be incorporated into consumer goods and attempted to amend the draft. The Council however almost completely disregarded the proposed amendments. The Greens were therefore further concerned about the lack of democratic control over such a seemingly important issue and wished for some scientific advice regarding the possible health effects of recycling man-made radioactivity. The feeling of the meeting was that there was considerable disagreement over the health effects of low-level radiation and that this issue should be explored on a formal level. To this end, the meeting voted to set up a new body
which they named ‘The European Committee on Radiation Risk’
The remit of this group was to investigate and ultimately report on the issue in a way that considered all the available scientific evidence. In particular, the Committee’s remit was to make no assumptions whatever about preceding science and to remain independent from the
previous risk assessment committees such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and the European Commission or EU member State risk agencies.
Shortly after the ECRR was formalized the STOA unit of the European Parliament
arranged (on the 5th Feb 1998) a workshop in Brussels to consider criticisms of the risk model underpinning the Basic Safety Standards Directive. At this meeting the eminent Canadian scientist Dr Rosalie Bertell argued that the ICRP, for historical reasons to do with the development of nuclear weapons and nuclear power during the cold war period, were biased in favour of the nuclear industry and that their conclusions and advice in the area of low-level radiation and health were insecure. Unfortunately, the STOA rapporteur, Professor Assimakopoulos, did not properly report Dr Bertell's presentation, which was wide ranging and extremely critical of the ICRP and
its advice.
Responding to Dr. Bertell, Dr Valentin, the scientific secretary of ICRP, told the
workshop that the ICRP was an independent body which gave advice on radiation safety,
but that those who considered this advice unsafe or questionable were entirely free to
consult any other group or organisation.
It was a widely held view, both at the STOA workshop and at the initial meeting of the ECRR, that enough evidence was available showing that low level exposure to man-made radioactive material caused ill health, and that the conventional models of the ICRP and other agencies which used the same radiation risk models entirely failed to
predict these effects. Members of the European Parliament therefore took note of Dr. Valentin's suggestion and agreed to support the preparation of a new report by the ECRR which would provide an alternative analysis.
In 2001 various members of the European Parliament together with two charitable bodies
supported the drafting of a report. Following consultation among the Scientific Committee this is now published (30 January 2003).
Professor Alice Stewart, the first scientist to establish the health effects of low doses of radiation, agreed to be the first Chair of the ECRR. The committee dedicates its first report - the 2003 Recommendations - to her memory.
The Chair of the Scientific Committee is Professor Inge Schmitz-Feuerhake. The Scientific Secretary is Dr. Chris Busby. A full list of people who were consulted and whose research and advice have so far contributed to the work of the Committee is included in the 2003 Recommendations.
There are two sub-committees: one on Depleted Uranium/ Uranium weapons and one on post-Chernobyl effects. Both should be contacted through the postal and email addresses given below.
ECRR contacts
or email at info@euradcom.org
2003 Recommendations of the ECRR
Background: the ECRR
The European Committee on Radiation Risk was formed in 1997 following a resolution
made at a conference in Strasbourg arranged by the Green Group in the European
Parliament. The meeting was called specifically to discuss the details of the ‘Basic Safety Standards’ Directive on radiological protection (Council Directive 96/29/Euratom). This Directive, which had been adopted by the Council of Ministers in May 1996, contained a statutory framework for the recycling and reuse of radioactively contaminated wastes and materials so long as the concentrations of itemised radionuclides were below certain levels.
A report on the effects of DU/U weapons is in preparation.
The first report of the Chernobyl sub-committee is now published. See Other publications below.
The Health Effects of Ionising Radiation Exposure at Low Doses
and Low Dose Rates for Radiation Protection Purposes:
Regulators’ Edition
More information, and
Ordering
or use the flag links at the top of this page.
European Committee on Radiation Risk/Comité Européen sur le Risque de l’Irradiation,
Avenue de la Fauconnerie 73,
B-1170 Bruxelles,
BELGIUM