Consultancy Service to develop a draft Safety Report on Radiation Protection and Safety in Veterinary Medicine

The IAEA held its first meeting in the area of radiation protection and safety in veterinary medicine at its headquarters from 23 to 27 November 2015. Several Member States sent experts to participate

Purpose

Diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy are integral parts of the world-wide veterinary practices. In the last years, there have been significant technological advancements and increase in the access to the use of radiation in veterinary medicine throughout the world. Therefore, there is a need to develop guidance for occupational and public radiation protection and safety in veterinary medicine practices using ionizing radiation. This use of radiation is not yet specifically addressed in any currently available guidance provided by the IAEA.

Background

The revised version of the IAEA General Safety Requirements Part 3: Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards (BSS) has been published in 2014. As a follow-up, new safety guides have to be produced, addressing newly approved safety standards.
At the Radiation Safety Standards Committee (RASSC) meeting held in Vienna, 24–27 November 2014, members of the committee requested the IAEA to consider the development of the guidance material for the safe use of radiation in veterinary medicine as a part of the discussion resulting from the presentation on (DS399) Radiation Protection and Safety in Medical Uses of Ionizing Radiation.

Outputs

The meeting was interactive and participants discussed the scope and content of the Safety Report. The Report will address radiation protection of staff of veterinary clinics as well as pet owners.