Task Group 82
Integrating the ICRP System of Protection for Humans and Non-human Species

ICRP Publication 91 addressed the development of a framework for protection of the environment in some detail, and the conclusions of this assessment were incuded in Chapter 8 of ICRP 103. The Commission considers that it is now necessary to provide further advice with regard to the achievement of these objectives across all exposure situations as redefined by the ICRP in Publication 103. 

The Commission has developed a framework in order to assess the relationships between exposure and dose, and between dose and effect, and the consequences of such effects, for non-human species, on a common scientific basis.  This work was reported in ICRP Publication 108, which provides the scientific information available for a set of reference animals and plants (RAP´s), and provides Derived Consideration Reference Levels as a guide for determining when additional examination of an exposure situation may be necessary from the standpoint of protection of the environment. Plans are underway to continue working along these lines.

The Commission therefore believes that it is now appropriate to provide further advice on how the framework being developed for protection of the environment relates to the general system of protection that has been developed for the protection of human beings.This is to ensure that a consistent viewpoint obtains in relation to providing protection from any source of exposure, in any specified exposure situation, for both humans and non-human species. 

The Task Group will therefore consider the adequacy of the existing framework of protection, based on the fundamental principles of protection for humans, and the fundamental objectives for protection of the environment. These principles will be discussed within the context of planned, existing, and emergency exposure situations. Key issues to be examined include the relationship of assessments made for non-human species in the environment with assessments made for protection of humans, and the resulting integration of information in analogous approaches to support comprehensive, consistent, and sustainable decisions for the control of effluents and radiation from sources, and determinations of compliance with existing and anticipated legislative and regulatory requirements. 

In developing its work, the Task Group will:

• recall the ethics and values that currently underlie the systems of human and environmental protection;
• clarify the practical objectives of non-human species protection with regard to the presence of radioactive substances in the environment, regardless of the reasons for the substances being present;
• consider what 'justification' and 'optimisation' mean across all exposure situations in relation to 'having regard to protect the environment' whilst simultaneously protecting humans;
• consider the relationship of Derived Consideration Reference Levels with the constraints and reference levels in the ICRP system of human protection, taking into account the experience to date in a number of countries; 
• examine to what extend the concept of exemption as applied to human protection may be applicable in the assessment of environmental protection; 
• examine how to deal with scientific uncertainties with regard to the limited knowledge of radiation effects on biota; and
• consider the compatibility of the ICRP's approach to environmental protection with those applied to other industrial activities.

The Task Group will prepare a short, comprehensive report for publication in the Annals of the ICRP, subject to approval by the Main Commission Guidance on the more technical application of environmental assessment techniques will be developed separately by Committee 5.