Radiation Protection

Italy does not currently produce energy through nuclear fission processes and does not have any operating nuclear power plants; however, the protection of humans and the environment from ionizing radiation remains a matter of significant importance in our country, also in view of a possible return to nuclear power. In fact, possible exposure routes include the presence of radioactive waste produced by previous nuclear energy production activities, contaminated materials in the structures and technological systems of nuclear plants undergoing decommissioning, as well as the increasingly frequent use of ionizing radiation sources in medicine, industry and research.

No exposure to ionizing radiation, however modest, can be considered risk-free, as is the case for any human activity; it is therefore essential to ensure an appropriate system of protection from such exposures.

The discipline that studies and offers tools for the protection of people and the environment against the risks deriving from exposure to ionizing radiation is called "radioprotection". It is based on three fundamental principles: justification, optimization and limitation of doses. Exposure to ionizing radiation must always be justified, ensuring that it brings more benefits than disadvantages. Individual doses, the number of people exposed and the probability of exposure must be kept to the minimum reasonably achievable, considering the state of technical knowledge and economic and social factors. Doses to individuals, however, must not exceed the limits defined in current legislation.

The ISIN, in relation to radiation protection, carries out investigative activities, technical assessments and control and surveillance activities both on nuclear installations and on the use of sources of ionizing radiation (radionuclides and x-ray machines). The Inspectorate is required to express an opinion, preparatory to the issuing of the interministerial decree of clearance for category A practice, on activities that involve the use of sources of ionizing radiation of significant magnitude (for example, use of cyclotrons for the production of radiopharmaceuticals, large particle accelerators in research, use of large quantities of radioisotopes in medical diagnostics and therapy).

The Inspectorate therefore carries out investigations and issues the opinions required by current legislation to the competent ministries for the activities involving the use of ionizing radiation sources, with regard to radiation protection and the safe management of the sources themselves; it carries out assessments of the radiological impact on workers and individuals in the population as well as accident scenarios, within the scope of the authorization procedures concerning nuclear installations, carrying out its own surveillance at nuclear installations and at all installations where activities subject to legislative provisions on radiation protection are carried out. The main investigation activities on nuclear installations include those relating to radiological characterization plans and radiometric verification plans for the purpose of removing materials, as well as the release of areas, buildings and premises of nuclear installations and remediation activities.

The Inspectorate also carries out technical assessments and checks on the safety of sources; develops and disseminates, by means of guides, also in relation to international standards, good technical standards in the field of health protection, prepares and adopts technical positions and opinions requested by Public Administrations and private entities.

The Inspectorate provides technical and regulatory support to the Civil Protection Authorities in the context of the interventions planned following radiological emergencies and specific situations of national relevance, also by participating in Prefectural Commissions established by the competent Prefectures, with the carrying out of on-site inspections; carries out and adopts, from the point of view of the radiation protection of workers and the population, technical investigations and opinions concerning the remediation and safety interventions of sites contaminated by artificial and natural radionuclides.

ISIN also carries out checks on the monitoring of environmental radioactivity in the areas surrounding nuclear installations, by updating the data relating to the monitoring of radioactive effluent discharges from nuclear sites under normal and emergency operating conditions, ensuring their systematic collection, evaluation and publication.

It carries out control and surveillance activities regarding exposure, resulting from work activities, to particular natural sources of ionizing radiation subject to legislative provisions on radiation protection.

The Inspectorate ensures the functions of National Contact Point in relation to the international control system, provided for by the Code of Conduct of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding protection (safety) and security (security) on radioactive sources as well as on the system of controls on imports and exports of radioactive sources. It participates in the activities of international organizations and institutions of the European Union and provides technical support for the development of national and international standards on radiation protection.

Experts from the Inspectorate participate in the examination commissions for registration in the list of authorized radiation protection experts and doctors, for the expression of the judgment of suitability for the technical operation of nuclear plants pursuant to Presidential Decree 1450/1970.

Environmental radioactivity

ISIN ensures the environmental radioactivity surveillance activities required by current legislation. Except for nuclear accidents, radioactivity in the environment is mainly of natural origin and only a small part is of artificial origin.

Natural radioactivity is of terrestrial origin, due to primordial radionuclides present in the earth's crust, and of cosmic origin (cosmic rays).

The main source of exposure of the population to natural radioactivity of terrestrial origin is represented by the decay products of radon, a radioactive gas generated in soil and rocks that is concentrated in closed environments (homes, schools, workplaces). A further source of exposure to natural radiation can derive from materials containing radionuclides of natural origin (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material – NORM), which constitute the raw material, the product or the residue of the production cycle of particular processes and industrial activities, and can lead to a significant increase in the exposure of the population and workers.

Artificial radioactivity is generated by human activities related to the production of nuclear energy, the use of radioactive sources in the medical-diagnostic, industrial and scientific research fields, and the production of war material. In the environment, artificial radioactivity is largely due to atmospheric atomic tests in the 1960s and nuclear accidents, in particular that of Chernobyl in 1986 (Figure 1).

Figure 1 - Cs-137 concentrations in soil deposition