Webinars on lens of the eye

In order to prevent opacification (or clouding of the lens), which, in its advanced stages, is referred to as a cataract, dose limits have been defined for the lens of the eye. In April 2011, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) issued a formal statement indicating that tissue reactions for the lens of the eye have dose thresholds that are, or might be, lower than previously considered. The ICRP therefore recommended a reduction in the equivalent dose limit for the lens of the eye to 20 mSv in a year, averaged over defined five-year periods (i.e., 100 mSv/5 years), with no single year exceeding 50 mSv. This recommendation is for worker exposure; the ICRP did not change its recommended dose limit for the lens of the eye for public exposures.

In alignment with the ICRP's recommendations, the CNSC discussion paper DIS-13-01, Proposals to Amend the Radiation Protection Regulations, proposed to:

• change the equivalent dose limit for the lens of an eye for a nuclear energy worker from the current limit of 150 mSv to 50 mSv in a one-year dosimetry period
• add a new dose limit of 100 mSv in a five-year dosimetry period (for the lens of an eye for a nuclear energy worker)

In 2018 and 2019, three webinars were held bringing together experts to discuss topics related to radiation dose limits for the lens of the eye. The first two, held in 2018, were co-hosted by the CNSC and the Canadian Radiation Protection Association.

Webinar #3: June 6, 2019

Dose Limits for the Lens of the Eye

The Canadian Radiological Protection Association (CRPA) hosted a webinar on Thursday, June 6, 2019, welcoming dosimetry experts who presented options for dosimeters for the lens of the eye. This is the third and last in a series of webinars on this subject.

Speakers

• Alain Savary, Master’s degree in radiation protection, technical manager at L'Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) passive dosimetry laboratory
• Chris Passmore, Master of Science in health physics from National Technological University and a Bachelor of Science in nuclear engineering from Arizona State University. He also has a Bachelor of Science in physics and a Bachelor of Engineering, both from Illinois College. Chris is a Certified Health Physicist and Vice President of Fluke Health Solutions Global Services
• Mirela Kirr, Director of Dosimetry Services at Landauer
• Nicky Gibbens, manager of the Personal Dosimetry Service Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards at Public Health England.

To read the presentations, visit the Canadian Radiation Protection Association website.

Webinar #2: September 27, 2018

Implementation of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Dose Limits for the Lens of the Eye

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA) hosted a webinar on September 27, 2018 on the implementation of ICRP dose limits for the lens of the eye. It presented expert opinions and perspectives behind the implementation of dose limits.

Speakers

• Dr. Claire Cousins, Chair, International Commission on Radiological Protection, BMed Sci, BM BS, FRCP, FRCR, FSRP
  What the Eye Doesn't See (PDF 1045 kB)

• Marie-Claire Cantone, University of Milan, professor of Applied Physics at the Faculty of Medicine, Dept. Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences
  Results of the survey on the view of the IRPA professionals (PDF 2426 kB)

• Ross Beveridge, Senior Radiological Protection Consultant, Atkins
  Eye dose limit reduction – the impact on operational RP? (PDF 533 kB)

• Andrei Hanu PhD, Senior Scientist, Bruce Power Nuclear Generating Station
  Assessment of radiological hazard and occupational dose to the lens of the eye at the Bruce Power Nuclear Generating Station (PDF 1853kB)

• Jovica Atanackovic, PhD, Senior Scientist, Ontario Power Generation
  Evaluation of Eye Lens Dosimetry at CANDU Power Plants (PDF 1912 kB)

Webinar #1: March 21, 2018

Scientific basis for the recommended dose limits for the lens of the eye

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA) hosted a webinar on March 21, 2018 on the scientific basis for the recommended dose limits for the lens of the eye for nuclear energy workers, as set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The webinar presented expert opinions and perspectives behind the science.

Listen to the recording of the webinar.

Speakers

• Chris Clement, Scientific Secretary, International Commission on Radiological Protection
  ICRP Recommendations on the Lens of the Eye (PDF 1259 kB)

• Liz Ainsbury, PhD, Cytogenetics Group Leader, Public Health England Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards
  Cataract following low dose ionising radiation exposures: Mechanistic understanding and current research (PDF 479 kB)

• Roy Shore, PhD, New York University School of Medicine (Professor Emeritus), and Chief of Research, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan (retired)
  Epidemiologic Studies of Radiation Cataract Risk (PDF 500 kB)

• Norman J. Kleiman, PhD, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Dept. Environmental Health Sciences, Director of Eye Radiation and Environmental Research Laboratory, Director of MS Degree Program in Radiological Sciences
  Radiation Cataract (PDF 5016 kB)