4 July 2024
Australian dose records from 2021 - 2022 show that occupational exposure to ionising radiation is well below the safety limit.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) maintains the Australian National Radiation Dose Register (ANRDR), which houses data from uranium mining, workers at Commonwealth entities and some medical facilities.
The ANRDR monitors occupational radiation exposures nationally to ensure workers in these sectors are receiving below the 20 mSv annual limit.
ARPANSA’s Public and Occupational Exposures Assistant Director, Cameron Lawrence, leads the ANRDR, which compiles annual reports on occupational exposure.
‘We recently audited and reconciled our 2021-2022 annual report following new dose records from our licensees such as ANSTO, as well as from the uranium industry and other workplaces that use or produce radiation like veterinary clinics,’ Dr Lawrence said.
‘In 2021, 87% of workers received a dose of less than 1 mSv and approximately 99% received a dose less than 3 mSv.
‘The data was similar in 2022. Approximately 79% of workers received a dose less than 1 mSv and approximately 99% received a dose less than 3 mSv.
‘This data helps us monitor individual doses so that we can ensure people are safe throughout their career, even when they change employer.’
The ANRDR holds dose records for more than 60,000 individuals, primarily from the uranium industry.
The updated summary of the 2021 – 2022 dose records is available on our website: https://www.arpansa.gov.au/our-services/monitoring/australian-national-radiation-dose-register/publications/anrdr-review-20212022
The 2021 - 2022 records were updated in June 2024, with summary data for 2023 expected to be published later this year.
ARPANSA is the regulator of Commonwealth entities that use or produce radiation and works with state and territory regulators and industry to protect workers, communities and the environment.
