Update on Radiation Safety Without Borders
George Anastas, PresidentHealth Physics Society
Presented at the 2002 Mid Year meeting of the Health Physics Society
Orlando, FloridaFebruary 18, 2002
Who???
• Health Physics Society Chapters and Members, Including Retirees
• US Agencies (perhaps EPA, State, DOE, NRC, etc.)
• IAEA
What is RSWB??
• A means by which Chapters can assist countries in improving their radiation safety infrastructure
• Boots on the ground health physics• Orphan Sources• Anti-terrorist activities
What is RSWB??(cont.)
• Training• Instruments/Use/
Calibration• Inventory • Regulations• Accident Response• Communications
What is RSWB??(cont.)
• RAM shipped to recipient Country
• Set up/review inventory system
• Licensing/Inspections • Follow Model
Countries Program• Les Rogers/Frank
Bradley
When????
• First four countries begin this year, Pilot Program
• Three additional countries next year, follow on to Pilot Program
• Integrate addition countries as funds allow and Chapter/retiree volunteers allow
Where are we???
• Nine Chapters (East Tennessee, Northern California, Western New York, Northeastern New York, Greater New York, New England, North Carolina, Florida, South Texas)
• EPA• DOE• Department of State• NRC• IAEA
Where are we???(cont.)
• Instruments (Calibration by East Tennessee Chapter)
• HPS International Relations Committee• Chapter Guidance Manual: Howard Dickson,
Eric Abelquist, Andy Karam • A Marvelous Team Dedicated to the
Effort
Where are we going???
•Parties must agree to work together• No politics •Initial: Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador,
Jamaica •Then: Portugal, Philippines, Estonia•Lithuania???•Then the rest of the ~70 countries
How Are We Going To Do It???
• Cooperation• Communication• Creativity with:
• Insights• Leaps and• Connections
• With some Patient Persistence
February 2002, What will happen by February 2003??
I am exceedingly confident that the agencies, organizations and the HPS can collaborate to put RSWB in place. The benefits to radiation safety are almost unlimited. In addition, I hope that RSWB will be the pathfinder for other professional safety organizations to assist their colleagues in other countries.
George Anastas, President Health Physics Society, February 2002