Dr Ken Karipidis, Assistant Director Assessment and Advice at ARPANSA, has been appointed to the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for the term of 2020 to 2024.
ICNIRP is a body of independent scientific experts who provide information and advice on potential adverse effects of non-ionising radiation. ICNIRP is affiliated with the World Health Organization and is regarded as the leading global authority on non-ionising radiation protection.
In providing information and advice to the Australian community about the harmful effects of radiation, ARPANSA takes into account international best practice in radiation protection and nuclear safety, which includes considering advice produced by ICNIRP.
The duties of ICNIRP include developing recommendations and guidelines and cultivating cooperation with other organisations in the field of non-ionising radiation protection. The majority of countries, including Australia, formulate their national standards for non-ionising radiation protection based on guidelines and advice from ICNIRP.
Commission members are supported by other international experts in various project groups that investigate specific areas of non-ionising radiation protection.
Dr Karipidis has previously worked with ICNIRP as Chair or member of various project groups including the review of intended human exposure to non-ionising radiation for cosmetic purposes. Ken joined ARPANSA in 2000 and has qualifications in Physics and Epidemiology. His appointment to the Commission acknowledges his expertise in the field of non-ionising radiation protection.
‘I am honoured to be appointed a member of the Commission. I look forward to contributing further to the international body of knowledge on non-ionising radiation protection,’ said Dr Karipidis.
Dr Karipidis replaces Professor Adèle Green, Senior Scientist at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, and member of the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council.
‘I want to congratulate Professor Green on her excellent contribution to ICNIRP over the past 12 years’, said Dr Karipidis, ‘her expertise will be missed, but I’m glad that Australia will continue to be represented with myself and the new Chair of ICNIRP, Professor Rodney Croft.’
Professor Rodney Croft, past Director of the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research and Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Wollongong will commence his appointment as Chair in 2020.
The new term of office commences in May 2020.
About Dr Ken Karipidis:
Dr Ken Karipidis is the Assistant Director of ARPANSA’s Assessment and Advice Section, providing expert advice and information on radiation protection to government, the public and other relevant stakeholders. With over 19 years of experience in the radiation protection field, Dr Karipidis has published multiple research papers and has been a member of numerous national and international committees including the World Health Organization’s Environmental Health Criteria Task Group on Radiofrequency Fields, the New Zealand Ministry of Health’s Interagency Committee on the Health Effects of Non-Ionising Fields and the Australian Government’s Committee on Electromagnetic Energy Public Health Issues. Dr Karipidis has completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Science (Physics) and is a Doctor of Philosophy (Epidemiology).
