Radiation protection in the world and in former Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro since discovering of the x-rays to nowadays

Abstract

Harmful effects of radiation and call for protection against it were recognized practically immidiatly upon the discovery of X-rays and radioactivity. A chronological review of some key events in development of radiation protection is given in this paper. First, the main activities of the ICRP since its establishment to nowadays are presented. Afterwards, a general description of some, according to the author's opinion, important events in the field of radiation protection in the former Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro are given as: Vinca accident; Organization of Radiation Protection Laboratory in Vinca Institute; International Vinca Dosimetry Experiment; First Symposium and organization of the Yugoslav Radiation Protection Association; the French - Yugoslav Colloquium on radiation protection; International intercomparison experiment on nuclear accident dosimetry, and the International Summer Schools and Symposium on Radiation Protection organized in Yugoslavia. Some comments on the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents are given as well. Bioindicators of low dose and dose intensity exposure are cited as one of the main problems that have to be resolved in radiation protection in the near future. Finally, as one of the main problems that, according to the author's opinion, physicists have to resolve in this field in the near future would be development of the operational dosimeter for high energy neutrons.