On 6 August the European Commission adopted a Communication to the European Parliament and to the Council on medical applications of ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation comprises particles and high energy electromagnetic radiation that are capable of disrupting the structure of atoms or molecules and change the structure of living cells.
The document proposes a way forward to resolve the urgent issue of shortage of supply of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. The Communication also identifies key issues to improve radiation protection of patients and medical staff, to avoid a rise in population exposure associated with the technological advances in X-ray computed tomography imaging (CT) and an increase of accidental or unintended exposures in radiotherapy. This Communication was jointly proposed by Günther Oettinger, Commissioner responsible for Energy, and by John Dalli, Commissioner responsible for Health and Consumer Policy.
Across the world, the number of X-ray examinations is around 4 billion per year. In Europe, around 9 million patients are treated each year with radioisotopes. It is the Commission's responsibility to help secure the availability of this technology to the benefit of human health. Today, the most widely used diagnostic radioisotope, Technetium-99m, is in short supply because it relies on an unsustainable low number of production reactors. Within the overall nuclear energy policy of the European Commission it is of crucial importance to provide incentives for further research reactors to contribute to its production and in the long term for new research reactors to be built for this purpose.
The Communication proposes a long-term perspective on the medical application of ionizing radiation in the Union to stimulate discussions on the necessary actions, resources and distribution of responsibilities. In such a framework, the following actions are proposed:
Strengthen the existing regulatory framework: the current legislation (Directive 97/43/Euratom) will be upgraded to enhance regulatory supervision to ensure that the legal requirements are respected. This will be part of an overall consolidation of radiation protection legislation in 2011.
Raise awareness and safety culture: the medical profession must receive adequate training and regular updates on good practice, and above all, made sensitive to its responsibility in ensuring both good medical care and adequate radiation protection. Awareness also needs to be raised among patients and among the general population.
Foster radiation protection and a sustainable supply and use of radioisotopes through research: actions within the Euratom and EU Framework Programmes and in the framework of the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) should contribute to the improvement of radiation protection and to the development of research infrastructures and competences.
Financing mechanisms to ensure sustainable supply of radioisotopes: the Commission assesses different financing mechanisms to ensure a sustainable supply of radioisotopes in the interest of public health.
Integration of policies: medical applications of ionizing radiation call for good integration of different policies, on public health, research, trade and industry as well as radiation protection.
International cooperation: the World Health Organization (WHO) is very active in this area and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has built up important programmes and information tools. The Commission will support all initiatives for coordinated efforts.
The document proposes a way forward to resolve the urgent issue of shortage of supply of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. The Communication also identifies key issues to improve radiation protection of patients and medical staff, to avoid a rise in population exposure associated with the technological advances in X-ray computed tomography imaging (CT) and an increase of accidental or unintended exposures in radiotherapy. This Communication was jointly proposed by Günther Oettinger, Commissioner responsible for Energy, and by John Dalli, Commissioner responsible for Health and Consumer Policy.
Across the world, the number of X-ray examinations is around 4 billion per year. In Europe, around 9 million patients are treated each year with radioisotopes. It is the Commission's responsibility to help secure the availability of this technology to the benefit of human health. Today, the most widely used diagnostic radioisotope, Technetium-99m, is in short supply because it relies on an unsustainable low number of production reactors. Within the overall nuclear energy policy of the European Commission it is of crucial importance to provide incentives for further research reactors to contribute to its production and in the long term for new research reactors to be built for this purpose.
The Communication proposes a long-term perspective on the medical application of ionizing radiation in the Union to stimulate discussions on the necessary actions, resources and distribution of responsibilities. In such a framework, the following actions are proposed:
Strengthen the existing regulatory framework: the current legislation (Directive 97/43/Euratom) will be upgraded to enhance regulatory supervision to ensure that the legal requirements are respected. This will be part of an overall consolidation of radiation protection legislation in 2011.
Raise awareness and safety culture: the medical profession must receive adequate training and regular updates on good practice, and above all, made sensitive to its responsibility in ensuring both good medical care and adequate radiation protection. Awareness also needs to be raised among patients and among the general population.
Foster radiation protection and a sustainable supply and use of radioisotopes through research: actions within the Euratom and EU Framework Programmes and in the framework of the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) should contribute to the improvement of radiation protection and to the development of research infrastructures and competences.
Financing mechanisms to ensure sustainable supply of radioisotopes: the Commission assesses different financing mechanisms to ensure a sustainable supply of radioisotopes in the interest of public health.
Integration of policies: medical applications of ionizing radiation call for good integration of different policies, on public health, research, trade and industry as well as radiation protection.
International cooperation: the World Health Organization (WHO) is very active in this area and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has built up important programmes and information tools. The Commission will support all initiatives for coordinated efforts.
**For further information, please see: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/radiation_protection/radiation_protection_en.htm
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