Report of the International Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements (ICRU)

Abstract

The ICRU has been unusually active since its meeting in 1953. This activity has been due to a number of reasons: One was the introduction of a new quantity and unit for radiation measurement; another has been due to the necessary collaboration with the ICRP in radiation protection problems of global interest; and a third relates to the necessity of collaboration with numerous other international bodies having certain interests in common with those of the ICRU. The following meetings have been held: 1. Geneva, April 1956, for ten days. 2. Mexico City, July 1956, for one day. 3. New York, November 1956, for ten days, in conjunction with the ICRP, to organize a joint study for the U. N. Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiations. 4. Geneva, April 1957, for ten days with the ICRP. 5. Geneva, September 1958, for twelve days. 6. Munich, July 1959, for three days. 7. In addition, committees and task groups of committees have met on several occasions. An extensive report on radiation units, measurements, and dosimetry which began in 1955 was completed and published early in 19571. This included many new data and other material necessary when radiation measurements are made and/or expressed in energy units (rads). Much of this has involved the development of new data by individual workers. Since publication of the 1957 report, the entire material has been under further study and extension. Most of this was reviewed at the meetings in Geneva in 1958 and Munich in 1959, and preparation of the 1959 report is essentially completed. The joint study with the ICRP was published in 1957,2 after submission to the U. N. Scientific Committee. As a result of conferences in 1955, the ICRU established a consultative status with the World Health Organization. This has proved to be a very fruitful relationship in that WHO has aided the ICRU materially in its meetings. We have also established a consultative relationship with the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). At a meeting with the BIPM in April 1959, it was established that the BIPM would, for the time being, look to the ICRU for primary guidance in matters of radiation units and standards. Establishment of a consultative status with the International Atomic Energy Agency is now under consideration. Arrangements have been made with several other international bodies to exchange observers at meetings. During the past few years, it has become increasingly evident that the scope of interest and concern of the ICRU has expanded considerably beyond that of radiology alone. It has been necessary to accept these challenges as they arose. The situation points up rather clearly that the future course of action of the ICRU must include close working relationships with international bodies in addition to the ICR. These matters have been discussed extensively with the ICRP but no conclusions have been reached. Costs of operating the ICRU have increased enormously, both in terms of money and manpower.