Assistant Minister for Health the Hon Dr David Gillespie MP today attended a ceremony to recognise the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) as a SunSmart workplace.

Until now, Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart program has only recognised schools and early childhood centres that meet its guidelines for sun protection policies and practices. ARPANSA is being recognised as a ‘SunSmart workplace’ for its commitment to protect staff from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

As part of its commitment, ARPANSA will educate and train staff and contractors to encourage better workplace sun protection. This includes using available sunscreen and shade.

Speaking at the launch at ARPANSA’s Yallambie site in Melbourne today, Dr Gillespie said it was important workplaces recognise the risks of UV radiation.

“Each year, more than 200 melanomas and 34,000 other forms of skin cancer are diagnosed as a result of UV damage in the workplace, yet we know most of these cancers could have been prevented with proper measures in place,” Dr Gillespie said.

“As the Australian authority in UV radiation, it’s great to see ARPANSA taking a leading role in recognising UV risks, and acting to make sure its workers are protected.”

ARPANSA CEO Dr Carl-Magnus Larsson was pleased the agency could show leadership for other Australian workplaces.

“Becoming a SunSmart workplace is important to us because we’re encouraging safe sun practices at work. Staff spend a significant amount of time outdoors here at ARPANSA and during field work, so it is really important our organisation approaches sun safety seriously. We’re also keen to model this behaviour to influence all Australian workers.”

Cancer Council Victoria Prevention Director Craig Sinclair said it was fitting and timely, ARPANSA was recognised as a SunSmart workplace this week being National Skin Cancer Action Week – an initiative of Cancer Council and the Australasian College of Dermatologists

“The SunSmart message isn’t just for kids. We want to make sure every Australian, no matter their age, is taking steps to protect their skin outdoors,” Mr Sinclair said.

“We’re pleased to be able to recognise ARPANSA’s commitment to skin cancer prevention, and we hope it will serve as a reminder to other workplaces to take a look at their own UV policies.”

As well as being recognised as a SunSmart workplace in its own right, ARPANSA is working with Cancer Councils nationally to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention and help Australians understand UV radiation.

ARPANSA’s work in UV radiation includes maintaining a national real time UV monitoring network with stations in capital cities and regional areas. This provides critical data for the Cancer Council’s SunSmart app. ARPANSA also maintains an accredited UV laboratory, which provides testing of clothing, sunglasses and shade cloth. The accreditation means ARPANSA’s testing has competence, impartiality and integrity, and there are stringent processes and procedures in place to ensure testing is true and accurate.

Consumers can find ARPANSA’s swing tags on items like shirts and hats, which indicate the product has been tested and complies with Australian sun-protective clothing standard.

Radioactive ruthenium detected in the air throughout Europe in late September 2017 poses no risk to the health of people or the environment.

Trace levels of ruthenium-106 have been detected on air monitoring networks throughout most of Europe. ARPANSA and other international organisations have modelled air movement and estimate the origin of the release to be in the Ural Mountains, in a region between Russia and Kazakhstan.

Rutheniun-106 has a half-life of 374 days.  After one year only half would remain. Ruthenium-106 is typically produced by nuclear fission and is found in nuclear reactors. It’s used in medicine for cancer radiation therapy and has been used to power satellites.

The origin of the ruthenium-106 is still unknown. A nuclear power plant accident can be ruled out because such accidents release many different kinds of radionuclides. Only ruthenium-106 was detected.

ARPANSA modelling of air movement predicts that ruthenium-106 from this event will not be detectable in Australia. ARPANSA continuously monitors the air for radioactive material throughout Australia as part of the global Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty network. 

The chance of imported food being contaminated is very low and would pose no risk to health if consumed. Similar advice has been issued in Europe.

Our 2016-17 Annual Report was tabled in parliament on Wednesday 18 October 2017.
The Annual Report informs parliament, stakeholders and the community how we have enabled protection of the Australian people and environment from the harmful effects of radiation during the last financial year.

The 2016-17 year was a mammoth year for ARPANSA, which saw many changes and initiatives implemented, adding value to the Australian community.
We administered licences for radiation sources and facilities used and operated by Commonwealth entities, with ARPANSA's CEO, Carl-Magnus stating in his foreword, ‘we continue to promote good safety culture among our licence holders.’

ARPANSA also continued to deliver important radiation monitoring, testing, calibration, hire and training services to the Australian community, stakeholders and industry. Carl-Magnus stated, ‘over the course of the year we have successfully promoted radiation protection of workers and the public though our services.’

Highlights of ARPANSA's achievements include:

• Commenced a self-assessment against international standards
• Built on the Talk to a Scientist program
• Created a new brand and website
• Implemented a best practice consultation approach
• Transitioned the Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service (ACDS) to a new service model and compliance
• Recorded more workers’ radiation doses by expanding the Australian National Radiation Dose Register (ANRDR)
• Made the Personal Radiation Monitoring Service (PRMS) more efficient
• Improved the Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) services section

Read the full ARPANSA 2016–17 Annual Report for more details.

This week Melbourne hosts an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regional Workshop on the Revised Safety Requirements in Emergency Preparedness and Response.

The workshop brings technical expertise from Asia and Oceania IAEA member states to discuss how well we’ve gone in implementing our national emergency preparedness and response frameworks.

The workshop will also look at revised concepts and approaches recommended in the revised IAEA safety requirements set out in Preparedness and Response for a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency (IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 7).

ARPANSA will also host a workshop on Friday 6 October at our Yallambie office to discuss the progress on the development of Australian guidance for emergency exposure situations. This guide will:

• help first responders and other workers preparing for and responding to a radiological or nuclear emergency 
• provide guidance on exposures to members of the public and the environment affected by a radiological or nuclear emergency.

For more information on emergency preparedness and response and ARPANSA’s role, visit Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Response.

ARPANSA is currently seeking to appoint nine part-time members of the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council (https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A00383RHSAC). Appointments are for the triennium (2018-2020) pursuant to subsection 21(2) of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act) and section 13 of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulations 1999.

Learn more about the functions of the RHSAC, the selection criteria for appointment and how to nominate via the following links:

• Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council

Nominations close Tuesday 31 October 2017.

Our new charts help you find out what the ultraviolet radiation index is at our measurement sites and what time the ultraviolet radiation (UV) index will be at its highest.

The UV monitoring network has been upgraded to give you a more reliable service and provide a network that is capable of being expanded in the future.

What’s new?

• Interact with the chart to find out UV information in other locations in Australia using the location menu
• Find past data by using the date selector
• Download an image of the chart, or the dataset by clicking on the arrow on the top right.

Enable your location for a better experience

Our charts use the location settings on your device or browser to display information from your nearest location. When you visit the page, your browser will ask to use your location. If you do not allow the browser to use your location you will see Melbourne’s chart by default. If you continue to see Melbourne’s chart but want to see a chart closer to your location, enable the location settings of your browser or your device.

Session details

6 pm, Thursday 22 June 2017
Hall 1 East, Engadine Community Centre
1034–1036 Old Princes Highway, Engadine NSW

The CEO is hosting a Community Information Session on the ANSTO licence application for Nuclear Medicine Molybdenum-99 Facility. The purpose of this Community Information Session is to:

• outline the process ARPANSA will use to assess and decide the application including the way in which the Agency will seek and take into account public submissions
• inform you of the nature and details of the application
• address issues raised through public submissions
• record any further issues that may arise on the night as new submissions.

ARPANSA has measured radiofrequency (RF) exposure from Wi-fi and other sources across 23 schools in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia.

The measurements were conducted in two locations in the schools (a classroom or library inside and the school playground) during school times.

The study, which has been published in Radiation Protection Dosimetry showed that the typical RF exposure of children from Wi-fi in schools is extremely low and this study should provide reassurance to the public according to lead author Assistant Director, Dr Ken Karipidis.

The typical Wi-fi exposure levels in locations occupied by children were found to be much lower than the limits of the Australian Standard, for example the typical exposure from Wi-fi inside the classroom was 0.0002% of the Standard (out of 100% allowable).

“This study, alongside similar international ones, show that the levels of exposure to RF EME from Wi-fi are very low and are not expected to adversely affect the health of children or the general population,” said Assistant Director, Dr Ken Karipidis.

Wi-fi enables electronic devices to be connected to a computer network wirelessly using radio waves, or radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME). There is some public concern about potential health effects associated with RF EME emissions from Wi-fi.

“We continue to receive enquiries as to whether Wi-fi should be allowed in schools or public places and we continue to review and conduct our own research which reaches the same conclusion, there is no established scientific evidence of Wi-fi causing harm”.

It is the assessment of ARPANSA and other national and international health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), that there is no established scientific evidence of adverse health effects below current exposure limits.

More about RF EME can be found on the ARPANSA fact sheet 'Wi-fi and Health'.

For further information please contact the Media Team on 0476 111 255.

Analysis of Public Submissions - Technical Report

Analysis of Public Submissions - Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement in the use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPLs) Sources and Lasers for Cosmetic or Beauty Therapy (Technical Report 177) was published on 17 March 2017.

Background

The regulation of the laser treatment industry is undertaken by the individual states and territories.

The Cosmetic and Beauty Therapy Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)/Lasers Working Group recently completed the analysis of public responses to the IPL/Laser Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) put forward in 2015. A report was tabled at the November Radiation Health Committee (RHC) meeting for consideration.

The RHC concluded that there was insufficient information to substantiate the cost versus benefit estimations that would be required for a Decision RIS to be developed and therefore the Committee agreed not to proceed with a Decision RIS.

The Committee agreed that there is an opportunity to develop a national uniform approach to key issues raised by the consultation process. The development of a guide would provide a common framework for terminology, education, training, equipment, patient care and injury reporting that would be available to all states and territories.

The Committee agreed that the guide would be developed as a matter of priority and ARPANSA will promote it within the industry throughout Australia.

Dr John Baldas passed away peacefully on 18 May 2017. A private funeral was held in Horsham, Victoria.

Dr Baldas was employed at the Australian Radiation Laboratory in 1974 and remained with the agency when it became the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, retiring as Branch Head, Medical Radiation Services in January 2014.

Dr Baldas was a world authority on technetium chemistry and his work impacted the clinical delivery of nuclear medicine in Australia and internationally. He made significant contributions to the Australian nuclear medicine and radiation protection communities.

John will be missed by ARPANSA staff and the wider radiation protection community.