ARPANSA has again collated data from radiation regulators around the country to provide a report on radiation safety and identify opportunities for improvement in the safe use of radiation, particularly in the medical sector. 

The Australian Radiation Incident Register (ARIR) report is a summary and analysis of data submitted to the ARIR for incidents that occurred in 2018. 

It’s good to see that we are continuing to see an increase in the number of submissions to the ARIR, as awareness of the register increases’, said Mr Jim Scott, Head of the Regulatory Services Branch at ARPANSA.

‘The report provides hospitals and other organisations that use radiation a unique opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, and continue to develop safety practices and culture in their workplace.’

The 2018 feature topic is radiotherapy; the treatment of cancer or the symptoms of cancer using radiation. During 2018, more than 60 000 patients underwent radiotherapy treatment and more than 15 million diagnostic imaging procedures involving radiation were carried out in Australia.

Findings of the report include:

• a total of 723 incidents reported – a 26 per cent increase from the previous year – demonstrating better awareness of the ARIR
• medical procedures accounted for 98 per cent of incidents
• human error was a trigger in 65 per cent of incidents
• malfunction of medical equipment accounted for 19 per cent of incidents.

‘As in previous years, the 2018 data shows that human error continues to be the most common trigger of radiation incidents and contributes to many others’, said Mr Scott. 

‘Understanding contributing factors that lead to human error is key to avoiding similar incidents in future. This reinforces the importance of a strong safety culture as well as the need to continue to innovate and identify solutions that reduce likelihood of error.’

The Australian Radiation Incident Register raises awareness on where, how and why incidents and events involving radiation occur, and shares strategies to prevent them. 

It assists in identifying topical areas where safety efforts may be focused to improve radiation protection in Australia.

Example cases in the report demonstrate outcomes of real-life scenarios and more importantly the preventive measures to take to avoid reoccurring incidents.

Both the ARIR and this summary report play an important role in ensuring the ongoing safety of Australians using radiation.

Read more: ARIR annual summary reports.

Computed tomography (CT) procedures use ionising radiation to produce images of patients for better medical diagnosis and treatment, often avoiding more invasive tests.

The radiation dose from a CT scan, while low, is nonetheless assumed to contribute a small additional risk to a patient’s lifetime risk of cancer.  International guidelines are in place to keep radiation dose as low as possible.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) collects and reviews data on patient dose from CT scans to produce diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) showing typical doses from scans. ARPANSA also advises medical facilities on how their practice compares, to encourage best practice in radiation safety.

‘In 2018, we analysed data from more than 47,000 CT scans at 381 facilities around Australia’ said Dr Peter Thomas, Director Medical Imaging at ARPANSA.

 ‘The data shows that, on average, patients are receiving much lower doses from CTs than we saw 5-10 years ago’.

‘Average dose has decreased by around 15 to 20 per cent since the original DRLs were published.’

The change is due to advances in CT practices and technologies.

The national DRLs published by ARPANSA give healthcare providers a valuable point of comparison to improve patient safety.

‘If a facility finds that patient doses are consistently above the reference levels, they are required to investigate if the higher dose is justified’, said Dr Thomas.

‘Conversely, if patients are receiving doses well below the reference levels, the facility may need to review image quality to ensure procedures are effective.’

The analysis used to develop the DRLs is explained in a new article in the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.

The updated DRLs show that patient dose in Australia from CT is in line with leading countries like the UK and Germany, demonstrating Australia’s excellence in medical imaging and radiation safety.

Read more: Updated Australian diagnostic reference levels for adult CT

ARPANSA staff Sandra Sdraulig and Dr Stuart Henderson recently travelled to Antarctica to support ongoing monitoring of radionuclides and ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the environment.

The trip was part of Australia’s involvement in the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans nuclear explosions and testing and includes a monitoring network to detect nuclear activity. 

The CTBT international monitoring system aims to ensure that no nuclear explosion goes undetected. ARPANSA is responsible for a total of nine monitoring stations, including one in Antarctica. 

Sandra and Stuart travelled to Mawson Station in Antarctica to carry out annual maintenance of its CTBT radionuclide monitoring system.

‘CTBT monitoring is active all year and can detect radioactive debris from atmospheric explosions or vented by underground or underwater nuclear explosions’ said Sandra. 

‘The data collected is forwarded by satellite to the International Data Centre in Vienna where it is compiled and released to countries participating in the CTBT.’

‘Antarctica is an important location for CTBT monitoring given the remote location and unique terrain and it was incredible to experience first-hand.’
  
In addition to radionuclide monitoring, ARPANSA also maintains four ultraviolet (UV) monitoring stations across Antarctica. 

‘The data we collect on UV Index in Antarctica provides a valuable addition to Australia’s UV data’ said Stuart Henderson. 

‘This trip allowed us to perform maintenance on our UV sensors in Antarctica and implement new measures to protect sensors from subzero temperatures.’ 

The UV data collected through ARPANSA’s monitoring network is available in a real-time UV index chart on the ARPANSA website. 

The trip was part of a program led by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) to conduct scientific research and support the conservation of the continent’s unique environment.

Read more: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/mawson/this-we…

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). 

During the 1950s the United Kingdom was granted permission to test nuclear explosives in sites in South Australia and Western Australia.

The testing of these weapons led to contamination of surrounding land and ARPANSA and our predecessors have been involved in supporting the analysis and clean-up of Australian test sites over many years.

Recently, we participated in a study to review the ongoing impacts of tests conducted in the Montebello islands off the north coast of Western Australia.

The study saw the collection of samples of soil, sediment, seawater and animal life including fish and crustaceans. These samples were then analysed to assess the levels of radiation present. ARPANSA’s work focused on assessment of fish and crustacean samples.

‘As expected we found that the samples we analysed had radionuclides that we would not expect in the normal marine environment’, said Dr Rick Tinker, Director of Assessment and Advice, ‘The level of most of these radionuclides had decreased since previous analysis but plutonium levels remained elevated.’

‘Importantly, levels in fish tissue were very low and do not pose a health impact if consumed.’

The Montebello Islands are very remote, located 130 kilometres off the north-west coast of Australia.

The region is not inhabited by humans and has not been developed, however the surrounding waters are visited by fishing boats, so collecting data on the levels of contamination in sea water and marine life is important.

 ‘The study as a whole provides a unique insight into the impacts of nuclear explosions on the environment and the longevity of isotopes many decades after an event’, said Dr Tinker.

As a health authority in radiation protection, ARPANSA will continue to participate in research to assess impacts of radiation on people and the environment.

Our work in assessing impacts on seawater and marine life was part of a collaborative study and a paper was recently published in the Science of the Total Environment journal.

How is radiation regulated in Australia? It’s a common question, and unfortunately the answer isn’t as straightforward as it could be.

While ARPANSA is responsible for regulating Commonwealth entities that use or produce radiation, the wider regulation of radiation in Australia falls within the remit of state and territory governments, or in the case of telecommunications, with the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

To assist in navigating radiation regulation, ARPANSA has produced a new report on regulation of non-ionising radiation in Australia. Non-ionising radiation is used for commercial, industrial and health purposes including lighting, cosmetic procedures, telecommunications and ultrasound.

ARPANSA’s role is to develop standards and provide health advice, while promoting uniform regulation of radiation across all jurisdictions. The new report highlights gaps and differences between some states and territories, providing insight into areas for greater alignment.

‘For the first time, this report gives us a consolidated view of regulation of non-ionising radiation around Australia’, said Dr Ken Karipidis, Assistant Director, Assessment and Advice at ARPANSA.

‘We found that there are some key areas that would benefit from greater uniformity and the report gives us a tool to promote a more consistent approach in regulation across the country.’

Cosmetic use of non-ionising radiation is one area that would benefit from better uniformity in regulation.

‘We often get questions from members of the public or practitioners about cosmetic laser or IPL [Intense Pulsed Light] licencing and there are different requirements state to state’, said Dr Karipidis.

‘Our report shows the different methods of regulation and guidance for each jurisdiction and provides us with a basis to work towards more uniform regulation in future.’

You can access the report here: Non-ionising radiation protection in Australia

6 December 2019

In June 2018, ARPANSA issued a direction to its licence holder, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), to initiate an independent review of its approach to occupational radiation safety at its nuclear medicine facility operated by ANSTO Health, now known as Health Products. The direction also required ANSTO to develop a plan to address the independent review team’s recommendations.

The direction came about following four separate events with safety implications at Health Products in the period August 2017 to June 2018.

On 5 December 2018, ARPANSA received ANSTO’s response to the independent review report including a draft plan – referred to as the Health Products Implementation Plan.

Over the past 12 months, ARPANSA has engaged with ANSTO to ensure the Implementation Plan provides clear measurable actions that support improved occupational radiation safety. The final version was received by ARPANSA on 30 August 2019.

Following review of the final version, the CEO of ARPANSA is now satisfied that the Implementation Plan meets the terms of the direction issued to ANSTO in June 2018. As part of this approval, Health Products’ licence conditions have been amended to include additional regulatory oversight to ensure ANSTO fulfils the commitments made in the Implementation Plan.

More information:

• ARPANSA’s letter of approval, 4 December 2019
• Health Products Implementation Plan, August 2019
• ARPANSA issues a direction to ANSTO
• Independent Safety Review of the ANSTO Health Approach to Occupational Radiation Safety and Operational Procedures

Dr Ken Karipidis, ARPANSA’s Assistant Director of Assessment and Advice, recently attended a workshop hosted by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) to explore effects of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on animals and plants.

The workshop discussed naturally-occurring electric and magnetic fields from the Earth and the sun as well as artificial electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields including radio waves used in mobile phone networks and radio and TV broadcasts. 

Scientific research has been conducted to investigate whether electromagnetic fields have negative effects on animals and plants in the environment. The workshop addressed research on the following topics:

• assessment of exposure and measurement of dose from power lines and mobile communications
• mechanisms for potential impact on plants and animals
• effects on plants, invertebrates and vertebrates from low-frequency and higher frequency electric and magnetic fields

Workshop presentations showed that, while it is well-established that many animals and plants respond to naturally-occurring electromagnetic fields, the exact mechanism of these responses has not been established and requires further investigation. 

Impacts of artificial electromagnetic fields on plant and animal life have not been established. The workshop explored the relevance of effects shown in laboratory experiments to real life situations, noting that effects found in laboratory settings have not been demonstrated in the natural environment. Studies that have been conducted in the natural environment generally report little or no evidence of impact on plants or animals.

The international workshop was held in Munich, Germany from 5-7 November 2019. 

ARPANSA will continue to evaluate relevant research as it becomes available, working with international counterparts to ensure ongoing review of scientific evidence related to radiation and both public and environmental health. 
 

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (ARPANS) Regulations provide a framework for ensuring Commonwealth Government bodies that use or produce radiation conduct their work in a safe and responsible manner.

These Regulations apply to all of our regulated entities, including the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Department of Defence and others.

The Regulations are updated each year, and the most recent amendments came into effect on 7 November 2019. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 2018 now incorporate the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Amendment Regulations 2019.

‘The updated Regulations include further safeguards and clarification of requirements for new licence applications,’ said Jim Scott, ARPANSA’s Chief Regulatory Officer.

‘They also establish separate dose limits for occupational exposure to ionising radiation for people aged 16 and 17’, said Mr Scott, ‘This is an important step in ensuring that the Regulations provide appropriate protection to people of all ages working with radiation’.

In addition to changes to fees and application requirements and licence conditions, the updated Regulations also reference new Codes that apply to licence holders including the Code for Disposal Facilities for Solid Radioactive Material (2018) and Code for Disposal of Radioactive Waste by the User (2018).

A full explanation of the amendments can be found in the Federal Register of Legislation.

The Regulations are an important tool to support ARPANSA’s work in protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation.

ARPANSA is currently seeking nominations for members of the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council. The Minister-appointed Council advise the CEO on emerging issues and matters of major public concern relating to radiation protection and nuclear safety.

Nominations are sought from suitably qualified people with an understanding of radiation and nuclear issues. Current membership is comprised of experts from a range of fields relevant to radiation protection including medicine, mining, regulation, health research and law.

All appointments are part-time and nominations are now open for the triennium (2020-2023) in line with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (subsection 21(2)) and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 2018 (section 18).

Nominations close Wednesday 4 December 2019 and appointments will be confirmed early in 2020.

If you are interested in joining the Council, you are encouraged to learn more about the functions and current membership of the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council.

For further information including selection criteria for appointment and application instructions, please see: Membership of the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council

If you have experience and knowledge of radiation protection and nuclear issues, we encourage you to submit your nomination as soon as possible.

We look forward to announcing the 2020-2023 Council in due course.