ICRP Publication 62: Radiological Protection in Biomedical Research

In recent years much progress has been made in radiological methods, in dosimetry, and in the knowledge of radiation effects. The ICRP has increased its risk estimates, and in addition, more extensive information has become available on the effect of age at exposure, on gender differences, on the magnitude of risk and on the consequences on in utero irradiation. It is therefore timely to review the risks and benefits of research involving the exposure of humans to radiation. The objective of Radiological Protection in Biomedical Research is to provide advice to individuals planning such research, those involved in issuing general rules of conduct, and those engaged in evaluation of specific research projects. The report should also be made available to those who may become the subject of investigations (patients, volunteers). Published with this report is Addendum 1 to ICRP Publication 53, Radiation Dose to Patients from Radiopharmaceuticals. Published in 1987, ICRP Publication 53 contained calculations on absorbed doses per unit activity administered for some 120 radiopharmaceuticals in regular use at the time. The calculations were based upon biokinetic models and best estimates of biokinetic data for individual radiopharmaceuticals. Since 1987 new radiopharmaceuticals have been introduced into regular use. This addendum presents biokinetic and dosimetic data on six new radiopharmaceutics, and is intended to be part of a continuing process of updating. Finally, a Summary of the Current ICRP Principles for Protection of the Patient in Diagnostic Radiology is included with the report. This has been prepared to encourage medical professionals to become aware of and to utilise those basic principles, and is an update of a previous summary that appeared in ICRP Publication 57 (1989).