Radiation Protection Today Spring 2025 Issue 8 | Page 3

SRP is a broad church, and since launching Radiation Protection Today we have tried to represent the interests of SRP ' s membership and the radiation protection profession as a whole. Although the majority of SRP members work in fields related to ionising radiation protection, the Editorial Team thought it was about time we shone the spotlight on issues related to the various types of non-ionising radiation.
Although the risks associated with ionising radiations have been studied for over a century, the health impacts of non-ionising radiations have received much less attention. The article on page 26 describes a scheme set up to monitor the health of workers exposed to Radiation Frequency( RF) radiation, with a view to identifying any longterm effects.
The risks of overexposure to ultraviolet( UV) radiation in sunlight are well known. We have an article discussing these risks in the context of those from occupational exposure to ionising radiations, which are significantly lower.
While many ionising radiation assessments are carried out in the comfort of a laboratory or similar workplace, measurements of RF fields often need to be made on roofs or towers. The article on page 13 explores some of the unique challenges this presents.
Sources of guidance for conducting nonionising radiation risk assessments are described on page 31. Unlike Laser Protection and Radiation Protection Advisers, those who assess and advise on electromagnetic field safety have no comparable route to demonstrate competence. The article on page 32 details how an employer can still ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.
As usual, this issue also contains a number of articles on ionising radiation protection, including a review of current data on background exposure levels in the UK and another on consumer products containing radioactive materials. We also look forward to the SRP Annual Conference on 13-15 May in Hull, and to the 7th IRPA European Congress in Liverpool in 2026.
Trevor Jones – Editor
© The Society for Radiological Protection( SRP) Spring 2025 Publisher: The Society for Radiological Protection
Editorial Team: Editor: Trevor Jones Deputy Editor: Maureen McQueen Team Members: Oliver Caunt, Haleema Hann, Sarah Hunak, Sheila Liddle, Chris Perks, David Rawlings, Neil Seymour, Gary Teague, Nigel Turner, Sam Watson
Production: Harris Associates
Design: TQ Print & Design
Contact us: Editorial: RPToday @ srp-uk. org Advertising: sara. harrington @ srp-uk. org
Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publishers.
The Society for Radiological Protection is the UK ' s only professional society covering the entire field of radiation protection. Its objective is to promote the science and art of radiation protection and allied fields for the public benefit. Founded in 1963, it was awarded a Royal Charter in 2007 and is the UK Associate Society affiliated to the International Radiation Protection Association.
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Contents
4
Risks from Ionising and Non-Ionising
Radiation
7
UV Radiation in Daily Life
9
Risk Perception and 5G
11
Ionising Radiation Exposure of UK
Population
12
Letters to the Editor
13
EMF Measurement at Height
15
Star Wars Droids and Designation of Areas
17
Origins of the Classification System for
Radiological Designation of Areas
18
Radiation Signage
19
Consumer Laser Products
22
Radioactivity in Consumer Products
24
Radiation Shielding Design Process
26
The National Register of RF Workers
27
Transport Radiation Risk Assessments
30
Aurora Borealis
31
Guidance for Assessing Non-Ionising
Radiations
32
Competence in EMF Assessments
34
Latest from Legs and Regs
35
Irish vs UK IRRs: A Comparison
36
Ask SRP
37
Score Those Goals!
38
Liverpool IRPA Congress
40
Back to Basics pullout
41
Backscatter
42
The SRP Puzzle
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www. srp-uk. org Registered Charity in England & Wales No. 1122804 Cover photograph: Nigel Turner Cover design: ollustration
Printed on recyclable paper sourced from responsibly managed forests using vegetable-based inks. This issue and all past issues are available digitally at www. srp-rpt. uk
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