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Belgian regulations with respect to cosmic rays exposure and results of the dose assessment

Belgian regulations with respect to cosmic rays exposure and results of the dose assessment. Information session on aircrew exposure to cosmic radiation – Brussels – 20/01/2009 S. Pepin (Federal Agency for Nuclear Control). What is cosmic radiation ?.

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Belgian regulations with respect to cosmic rays exposure and results of the dose assessment

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  1. Belgian regulations with respect to cosmic rays exposure and results of the dose assessment Information session on aircrew exposure to cosmic radiation – Brussels – 20/01/2009 S. Pepin (Federal Agency for Nuclear Control)

  2. What is cosmic radiation ? Primary cosmic radiation: high energetic particles from space (mainly hydrogen and helium nuclei) Galactic component (main component): e.g. supernova explosions,… Solary component (11-years cycle, may be significant in case of solar disturbance event / solar flare – e.g. 1956)

  3. What is cosmic radiation ? • Secondary cosmic radiation - interaction of • primary cosmic radiation with earth’s atmosphere • => secondary particles • 2 main factors affecting the flux of • cosmic radiation: • Altitude (absorption by the atmosphere) • Latitude (protection due to • earth’s magnetic field decreases • with latitude – highest dose near • the poles)

  4. European regulatory framework (1) European Directive 96/29/EURATOM If dose > 1 mSv/y, airlines shall: • assess the exposure of the crew concerned • take into account exposure when organizing working schedules with a view to reducing the doses of highly exposed aircrew. • inform the concerned workers about the health risks their work involves. • take care of limitation of doses during pregnancy (< 1 mSv/y + ALARA - “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”).

  5. European regulatory framework (2) Radiation protection 88: “Recommendations for the implementation of Title VII of the European Basic Safety Standards Directive concerning significant increase in exposure due to natural radiation sources” • “Highly exposed aircrew” : > 6 mSv/y • 1 – 6 mSv/y: individual estimates of the dose • > 6 mSv/y: appropriate medical surveillance

  6. Belgian regulatory framework (1) Euratom directive => Royal Decree of 07/20/2001 (article 4 and 9) Art. 9 : For aircrew with dose possibly > 1mSv/y: • assess individual doses • take into account dose assessments in the working schedules (at least < 6 mSv/y) • inform the concerned workers (+ company medical officer) • limitation of doses during pregnancy (As Low As Reasonably Achievable – in any case < 1 mSv/y) NB: till now, no specific medical follow-up if dose < 6 mSv/y

  7. Belgian regulatory framework (2) • Guidelines from the FANC (http://www.fanc.be => folder “Natural radiation”) • “Exemption criteria” (e.g. altitude < 6000m + flying time < 700 h) • If no exemption  software-based evaluation • Yearly dose evaluation if dose > 1 mSv/y • Monthly if dose > 6 mSv/y

  8. Results of dose assessment 9commercial airlines investigated. Last december, information campaign for non-commercial airlines Commercial airlines: • 3 “exempted” (“air taxi” companies) • 6 with doses > 1 mSv/y Software used: CARI, IASON-FREE, PCAIRE, GlobaLog  Dose assessment for 1429 persons 907 people > 1 mSv/y (average dose ~ 2 mSv/y) Nobody > 6 mSv/y Maximal dose = 4 mSv/y

  9. Dose distribution(1) Company A (IASON), Company B (PCAIRE) – charters flight Distribution pattern depends on specific airline (flight profile,…)

  10. Dose distribution (2) Global dose distribution for all companies Significant # people in the upper range of the distribution

  11. Conclusions • Majority of aircrew members > 1 mSv/y • Dose distribution pattern depends on specific airline Open issues : • Parameters affecting the dose distribution ? • Which optimisation measures ? • Necessity and type of medical follow-up for dose 1 – 6 mSv/y ?

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