Radiation protection [EM/RC9/R.8]

EM/RCg/R.8 ?he Regional Committee, Notlng with appreciation the reportL submitted by the Regional Director; Recognizing the importance of ionizing radiation in medicine and public health, and i t s use i n the form of X-ray or radioactive isotopes i n diagnosis and therapy; Noting the introduction of the use of radiation on a large scale into industry, the establishment of atomic energy plants i n certain countries of the Region, the need for protection against X-rays and radioactive isotopes i n industry, and for the proper disposal of radioactive waste; Fully aware of the hazards due t o the exposure of a large part of the population t o X-rays and the ever-increasing use of radioactive isotopes for research, diagnosis and therapy and of the problems of protection thus created; Recognizing the need for further expansion of the present knowledge of the effects of ionizing radiation, 1. URGES Member States t o give adequate attention to the training of specialists i n protection against ionizing radiation; 2. EMPHASIZES the need for further research on the somatic and genetic changes due to* ionizing radiation, and i n radiobiology i n general; 3. RECONPENES that, a t the planning stage, careful consideration be given t o the appropriate disposal of radioactive waste f r o m any ins t i - tute or establishment dealing with radioactive substances; 4. RECObWWDS the enactment of national laws governing inspection of a l l inst i tutes and establishments i n which ionizing radiation i n any form is uti l ized for any prpose with a view to ensuring the efficiency of a l l protection measures; 5. INVITES the Member States t o prepare reports on the detai ls of their programaes for protection from ionizing radiation and thei r act ivi t ies i n the f ie ld of radiation medicine for the Regional Director i n view of a continuing review of the situation by the Regional Connuittee. September 1959