Radiation protection
Radiation protection is the science and practice of protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The CNSC’s radiation protection safety and control area (SCA) covers the requirement for our licensees to implement radiation protection programs that ensure contamination levels and radiation doses to workers and members of the public are monitored, controlled and kept below regulatory limits and as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
Radiation protection principles are based on sound science arising from fields of research such as radiation and health sciences (UNSCEAR: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) and the applied integration of this science within a recognized framework for protection of workers and the public (ICRP: International Commission of Radiological Protections and IAEA: International Atomic Energy agency).
In this category you will find research and technical information about radiation, radiation health effects, and radiation protection. Information related to the protection of the public may be co-located under the environmental protection web page as public exposure is primarily through off-site environmental pathways.
Research and support program
- RSP-760.1 A Study for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on Artificial Intelligence Applications and Implications for the Nuclear Industry
- RSP-720.1, Class II Equipment Servicing Accreditation Program
- RSP-222.2 Radon Exposure and the Risk of Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Final Update of the Cohort of Newfoundland Fluorspar Miners
- RSP-720.1, Class II Equipment Servicing Accreditation Program
- RSP-703.1, Analysis of histological types of incident lung cancer among workers exposed to radon and gamma radiation during uranium mining and milling at Eldorado Nuclear Ltd., Canada
- RSP-686.2, Radiation basics and measurement software – Gamma Gear
- RSP-651.1, Review of Eye Protection Provided by Eyewear
- RSP-613.6, Safety Assessment Code Development and Application
- RSP-587.1, Mortality risks in the pooled analysis of the Canadian and German uranium processing workers
- RSP-531.1, Characterization of alpha radiation hazards: biosolubility of radionuclides within CANDU reactor aerosols and implications for internal dosimetry
- RSP-0308, Updated analysis of the Ontario Miner' cohort
- RSP-0297, Evaluation of default annual limit on ontake (Ali) for yellowcake and uranium ore
- RSP-0292, Nuclear research trends post Fukushima
- RSP-0290, Estimation of the range of radiation dose for a radon progeny working level due to physical parameters
- RSP-0285, Review of INFO-0286 (1988); Doses from portable gauges
- RSP-0283, Summary report of the Ontario uranium miners cohort mortality and cancer incidence study
- RSP-0265, Mortality (cancer incidence) among Canadian nuclear power industry workers exposed to tritium
- RSP-0257, Environmental fate of tritium in soil and vegetation
- RSP-0256, Tritium analysis of soils and vegetation from Pembroke, Russell, Golden Lake, Hay River
- RSP-0247, Investigation of the environmental fate of tritium in the atmosphere
- RSP-0243, Review of AREVA surface gamma radiation survey of disturbed areas at Cluff Lake
- RSP-0237, Use and location of vehicle portal radiation monitors in Canada
- RSP-0215, Neutrons from electron accelerators with beam energies from 6 to 10 MeV
- RSP-0214, The Canadian delegation's notes & comments to the 54th Session of UNSCEAR
- RSP-0213, Ontario uranium miner update study protocol
- RSP-0210, Radiobioassay and dose assessment of intakes of radiocarbon
- RSP-0205, Eldorado nuclear epidemiology study update – Eldorado uranium miners' cohort: Part I of the Saskatchewan uranium miners' cohort study
- RSP-0194, Accidental exposures in radiotherapy survey
- RSP-0193, Radon progeny exposure and lung cancer: A mortality study of Newfoundland fluorspar miners 1950–2001
- RSP-0188, Summary report of the Eldorado nuclear cohort study
- RSP-0187, Creation of combined dose records for the Cameco study cohort
- RSP-0185, Radiobioassay and dose assessment of mixed fission and activation products
- RSP-0182A, Designing and implementing a radiobioassay program
- RSP-0182B, Radiobioassay and dose assessment for intakes of tritium
- RSP-0178, Feasibility study: Saskatchewan uranium miners cohort study (Part II)
- RSP-0175, Uranium concentrations in Port Hope soils and vegetation and toxicological effect on soil organisms
- RSP-0173, Characterization of Northern Transportation Route (Ntr) sites under institutional controls
- RSP-0171, Assessment of radiation doses arising from civilian or military vehicle use of radium luminous devices in the civilian community from operation vehicles, museums and collections
- RSP-0165, Uranium intake – Dose estimation methods
- RSP-0164, Report on performing external dosimetry during non-uniform radiation exposures
- RSP-0164-1, Report on performing neutron dosimetry in Canada
- RSP-0162, Detection of radiation damage in sub-populations of human white blood cells
- RSP-0158, Doses to transport workers: Phase 2
- RSP-0155, Comparison and validation of methods that determine neutron dose equivalent
- RSP-0153-1, Tritium in the Canadian environment: Levels and health effects
- RSP-0153-2, Tritium in the Canadian environment: Questions and answers
- RSP-0149, Ontario miners database feasibility study
- RSP-0142, Survey of Canadian portable gauge users
- RSP-0140, Evaluation of safety technician training programs at Ontario Power Generation Inc. Bruce NGS "B" Facility
- RSP-0139, Analysis of Pu-239/240 and Am-241 in urine samples: Report on a method development project conducted for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
- RSP-0137, The combined effects of alpha radiation, nickel and arsenic – Exposure on human fibroblasts
- RSP-0135, Cancer surveillance in proximity to nuclear facilities – Phase 1
Technical papers and abstracts
- Technical and Scientific Support Organization Forum – Supporting the Development of Technical and Scientific Capacities in Member States
- Regulating Energetic Beams for Medical Isotope Production in Canada
- Safety Impact of Exceeding Linac Vault Design Workload Limits
- Analysis of mortality in a pooled cohort of Canadian and German uranium processing workers with no mining experience
- Leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma mortality (1950-1999) and incidence (1969-1999) in the Eldorado uranium workers cohort
- Low radon exposures and lung cancer risk: joint analysis of the Czech, French, and Beaverlodge cohorts of uranium miners
- In vivo animal studies help achieve international consensus on standards and guidelines for health risk estimates for chronic exposure to low levels of tritium in drinking water
- Addressing Challenges in the Application of the Design Safety Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants to Small and Medium Sized Reactors in Pre-Licensing Vendor Design Reviews in Canada
- Problems With Pigs – Radioisotope Handling Outside the Hot Cell
- Isotope Production Accelerators Report Card
- Why Class II Radiation Safety Officer Candidates Fail Certification
- Regulatory Oversight of New Accelerator Technologies
- Coronary heart disease mortality and radon exposure in the Newfoundland fluorspar miners’ cohort, 1950–2001
- Analysis of mortality in a pooled cohort of Canadian and German uranium processing workers with no mining experience
- Cancer incidence and mortality from exposure to radon progeny among Ontario uranium miners
- Epidemiological Evidence and Radiation Protection
- In situ measurements of tritium evapotranspiration (3H-ET) flux over grass and soil using the gradient and eddy covariance experimental methods and the FAO-56 model
- Canadian inter-laboratory organically bound tritium (OBT) analysis exercise
- Leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma mortality (1950-1999) and incidence (1969-1999) in the Eldorado uranium workers cohort
- A Reanalysis of cancer mortality in Canadian nuclear energy workers (1957-1994) based on revised exposure and cohort data
- Mortality (1950-1999) and cancer incidence (1969-1999) of workers in the Port Hope cohort study exposed to a unique combination of radium, uranium and gamma-ray doses
- Radiation exposure and cancer incidence (1990 to 2008) around nuclear power plants in Ontario, Canada
- Lung cancer mortality (1950-1999) among Eldorado uranium workers: A comparison of the TSCE and ERR models
- Regulatory experience in applying a radiological environmental protection framework for existing and planned nuclear facilities
- Review of the knowledge available to date on the effects of tritium exposure on health and the environment in Canada – a tool to guide regulatory compliance monitoring
- Tritium studies project: Health effects of tritium
- Transfers studies in terrestrial ecosystems
- Use of a weight of evidence approach to determine the likelihood of adverse effects on human health from the presence of uranium facilities in Port Hope, Ontario
- Evidence of children's vulnerability to radiation in the context of radiological/nuclear events and considerations for emergency response
- An ecological study of cancer incidence in Port Hope, Ontario from 1992 to 2007
- Uranium toxicity to fish
Health studies
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in infants and children: Protection from radioiodines
- Distributing KI pills to minimize thyroid radiation exposure in case of a nuclear accident in France
- Potassium iodide for thyroid blockade in a reactor accident: Administrative policies that govern its use
- Managing terrorism or accidental nuclear errors, preparing for Iodine-131 emergencies: A comprehensive review
- Leukaemia in young children in the vicinity of British nuclear power plants: a case–control study
- Estimating cancer risk in relation to tritium exposure from routine operation of a nuclear-generating station in Pickering, Ontario
- Comparison of recent UNSCEAR and WHO reports
- UNSCEAR 2013 report
- WHO health risk assessment
- WHO preliminary estimate of radiation doses
- Evaluation of radiation doses and associated risk from the Fukushima nuclear accident to marine biota and human consumers of seafood
- Selected quotes from international radiation protection specialists
- The KIKK study explained
- Depleted uranium and Canadian veterans: A review of potential exposure and health effects (January 2013)
- Basic epidemiology concepts
- Introduction to radiation
- Setting radiation requirements on the basis of sound science: The role of epidemiology
- Introduction to dosimetry
- Tritium overview
- Frequently asked questions – tritium
- Standards and guidelines for tritium in drinking water
- Investigation of the environmental fate of tritium in the atmosphere
- Tritium releases and dose consequences in Canada in 2006
- Evaluation of facilities handling tritium
- Tritium activity in garden produce from Pembroke in 2007 and dose to the public
- Health effects, dosimetry and radiological protection of tritium
- Tritium studies project synthesis report
- Environmental fate of tritium in soil and vegetation
- Tritium fact sheet
- Understanding health studies and risk assessments conducted in the Port Hope community from the 1950s to the present
- An ecological study of cancer incidence in Port Hope, Ontario from 1992 to 2007
- Use of a weight of evidence approach to determine the likelihood of adverse effects on human health from the presence of uranium facilities in Port Hope, Ontario
- Mortality (1950-1999) and cancer incidence (1969-1999) of workers in the Port Hope cohort study exposed to a unique combination of radium, uranium and gamma-ray doses
- Updated analysis of the Eldorado uranium miners' cohort: Part I of the Saskatchewan uranium miners' cohort study (RSP-0205)
- Feasibility study: Saskatchewan uranium miners cohort study (Part II)(RSP-0178)
- Polonium-210
- Radon
- Occupational dose data report
- Dosimetry service providers
- National Dose Registry
- Verifying Canadian nuclear energy worker radiation risk: A reanalysis of cancer mortality in Canadian nuclear energy workers (1957-1994)
- A reanalysis of cancer mortality in Canadian nuclear workers (1956–1994) based on revised exposure and cohort data
- Radiation and incidence of cancer around Ontario nuclear power plants From 1990 to 2008 (The RADICON Study)
- Evidence of children's vulnerability to radiation in the context of radiological/nuclear events and considerations for emergency response
Research from third-party sources
- Radiation: Effects and sources (PDF)
- Health in Disasters: A Science and Technology Studies Practicum for Medical Students and Healthcare Professionals (PDF)
- Mortality (1950-1999) and cancer incidence (1969-1999) in the cohort of Eldorado uranium workers
- Mortality risk in the French cohort of uranium miners: extended follow-up 1946-1999
- Radon and risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular diseases in the German uranium miners cohort study: follow-up 1946-2003
- Lung cancer risk associated to exposure to radon and smoking in a case-control study of French uranium miners
- Uranium exposure and cancer risk: a review of epidemiological studies
- Review of radon and lung cancer risk
Publications
- Regulatory Oversight Report for Uranium Mines, Mills, Historic and Decommissioned sites in Canada : 2015
- Radionuclide information booklet
Videos
- Radiation and health
- Ask an Expert : How are children protected after a nuclear accident?
- Ask an Expert : After a nuclear accident like Fukushima, why aren't all members of the public monitored continuously?
- Ask an Expert : Why do guidelines allow orange juice to contain more cesium-137 than bottled water?
- Ask an Expert : Do dried fruit contain more radioactivity than fresh fruit?
- Ask an Expert : Is it safe to eat rice, produce and fish imported from Japan?
- Post-Fukushima improvements to nuclear power plants
- What is radiation?
- Medical uses of nuclear technologies
- Industrial uses of nuclear technologies
- Independent Environmental Monitoring Program
- Operation Morning Light
Videos from third-party source
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