ALARA
ALARA ( acronym for " A s L ow A s R easonably A chievable" , German as low as can be reasonably achieved ) describes a principle of radiation protection . When dealing with ionizing radiation, the ALARA principle requires people, animals and material to be exposed to radiation that is as low as possible (even below limit values) as appears to be feasible with the consideration of practical reason and the weighing of advantages and disadvantages. The word reasonably ( German reasonable ) is because of the risk of cancer as "as low as possible" over-interpreted. The precautionary principle, which is also associated with radiation, can be counteracted as a result.
For example, it is not effective if frightened patients refuse necessary examinations for fear of radiation. Medical diagnostics and therapy must also not be jeopardized. If device manufacturers reduce radiation to such an extent that the results obtained are partially useless and multiple examinations are necessary or incorrect diagnoses are made, then the ALARA principle has been misunderstood. It is important to weigh up medical advantages and disadvantages.
The ALARA principle should not only be used in the field of radiation medicine, but also when assessing radiation exposure from nuclear facilities. ALARA is required more strictly, i.e. H. a clear undershoot of limit values is imperative if this is justifiable in terms of costs in the overall framework.
The principle can be applied to any way of dealing with harmful or potentially harmful influences, but only has a significant influence on radiation protection.
EAN
Since the ALARA principle a part of European safety standards was and has been increasingly adopted in the national legislation, the 1996 by the cares European Commission founded E uropean A LARA N etwork (EAN) to limit the enforcement of the principle in radiation protection.
swell
- Recommendation of the International Commission on Radiological Protection . IRCP Publication 26, Pergamon Press, Oxford 1977.
