Lest we forget.

Update on Radiation Safety Without Borders

George Anastas, President

Health Physics SocietyPresented at the

2002 Mid Year meeting of the Health Physics Society

Orlando, Florida

February 18, 2002

Who???

• Health Physics Society Chapters and Members, Including Retirees

• US Agencies (perhaps EPA, State, DOE, NRC, etc.)

• IAEA

What is RSWB??

• A means by which Chapters can assist countries in improving their radiation safety infrastructure

• Boots on the ground health physics

• Orphan Sources

• Anti-terrorist activities

What is RSWB??(cont.)

• Training

• Instruments/Use/

Calibration

• Inventory

• Regulations

• Accident Response

• Communications

What is RSWB??(cont.)

• RAM shipped to recipient Country

• Set up/review inventory system

• Licensing/Inspections • Follow Model

Countries Program• Les Rogers/Frank

Bradley

When????

• First four countries begin this year, Pilot Program

• Three additional countries next year, follow on to Pilot Program

• Integrate addition countries as funds allow and Chapter/retiree volunteers allow

Where are we???

• Nine Chapters (East Tennessee, Northern California, Western New York, Northeastern New York, Greater New York, New England, North Carolina, Florida, South Texas)

• EPA• DOE• Department of State• NRC• IAEA

Where are we???(cont.)

• Instruments (Calibration by East Tennessee Chapter)

• HPS International Relations Committee• Chapter Guidance Manual: Howard

Dickson, Eric Abelquist, Andy Karam

• A Marvelous Team Dedicated to the Effort

Where are we going???

•Parties must agree to work together• No politics •Initial: Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador,

Jamaica •Then: Portugal, Philippines, Estonia•Lithuania???•Then the rest of the ~70 countries

How Are We Going To Do It???

• Cooperation• Communication• Creativity with:

• Insights• Leaps and• Connections

• With some Patient Persistence

Static Planning, like the Maginot Line will not hack it!!!!!

How Are We Going To Do It???

February 2002, What will happen by February 2003??

I am exceedingly confident that the agencies, organizations and the HPS can collaborate to put RSWB in place. The benefits to radiation safety are almost unlimited. In addition, I hope that RSWB will be the pathfinder for other professional safety organizations to assist their colleagues in other countries.

George Anastas, President

Health Physics Society, February 2002

Are there any easy questions I can attempt to answer???