Strategy
The role of WHO in the Ionizing Radiation Programme is...
...to achieve safe, sustainable and healthy human environments, protected from biological, chemical and physical hazards, and secure from the adverse effects of global and local environmental threats
As a directing and co-ordinating authority on international health work within the United Nations system, WHO evaluates all health risks related to radiation exposure and provides advice to national authorities.
Strategy
- Develop strong evidence base
- Develop recommendations for radiation safety standards and protective measures
- Provide support in case of nuclear or radiological accidents
- Build national capacity
- Information and Education
Evidence base for scientific assessment
- Scientific assessment of all health risks related to radiation exposure:
- global burden of radiation related disease
- depleted uranium monograph
- other key areas of cancer (eg radon)
- Research on health effects of environmental radiation
- Tissues bank of Chernobyl children with thyroid cancer
- Health effects in Chernobyl clean-up workers
- Other populations exposed to low doses of radiation
- Research needs and Priorities
- Research Co-ordination Committee
Recommendations for radiation safety standards
- Based on:
- International Basic Safety Standards
- recommendations of the ICRP
- WHO develops:
- public health policy for radiation protection
- guideline radiation levels in air, water, food, and the environment