Discussion on Points of Radiation Safety and the Scope of The University of Tokyo Global COE Program

Abstract

Two topics are presented here. The first is “Discussion Points on Radiation Safety.” The scheme of radiation safety in Japan has mainly been based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendation, Publication 60. The new recommendation, Publication 103, replacing Publication 60, was recently published, in January 2008. “Optimization” in the system plays a more important part. The principle of optimization of radiological protection is defined as the source-related process to keep the magnitude of individual doses, the number of people exposed, and the likelihood of potential exposure as low as reasonably achievable below the appropriate dose constraints or reference levels, with economic and social factors being taken into account. The way in which the optimization process should be implemented is now viewed more broadly to reflect the increasing role of individual equity, safety culture, and stakeholder involvement in our modern societies. These points of view will become more important, especially to establish future guidelines and regulations on radiation safety. The second point is the “Scope of the University of Tokyo Global COE (Center of Excellence) Program.” We are developing a well-rounded research and education program in response to worldwide nuclear utilization. Our Global COE (GCOE) “Nuclear Education and Research Initiative” will create a comprehensive nuclear engineering discipline, incorporating three different aspects of nuclear engineering: nuclear energy, radiology, and nuclear energy sociology. Radiation safety is mainly categorized under radiology. In the radiation safety area in the GCOE program, we are mainly focusing on the following three subjects: radiation safety system, radiation shielding, and radiation measurement/dosimetry.