The World Council of Nuclear Workers has a deep interest in radiation protection and in the assessment of the hazards associated with the biological effects of low and very low doses of ionizing radiation for at least three reasons :

1. The nuclear workers represent, with radiologists and technicians in hospitals, the largest group of workers for whom exposure to ionizing radiation is the main occupational hazard.
2. Their families usually live in the vicinity of nuclear plants.
3. They will be in charge of the implementation of any regulations.

For these reasons they are very much concerned by the controversies which have arisen over the past few years with regard to the dose limit and the LNT assessment of the risks associated with exposure to low and very low doses of radiation.

This debate is of major importance for the future of radiation protection. Two pitfalls must be avoided: fuelling unjustified anxiety on doubtful bases (the analysis of the Chernobyl data show that unjustified anxiety has been more harmful than ionising radiation) or underestimating the risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation. This is why the World Council of Nuclear Workers proposes after Versailles in 1999, and Dublin in June 2001, its Internatinal Conference on "The effects of low and very low doses of ionising radiation on human health" in Teheran, at Shahid Beheshti University. As there is no more debate about linear no threshold relationship, a large majority of the scientific community have rejected these dogmas, during the meeting the effects of low and very low doses on human health will be considered, the effect of dose rate, DNA repair mechanisms, indirect effects such as genomic instability and bystander effects will be discussed. The aim of the meeting shall be to clarify the problems, to assess the uncertainty of the various risk assessments and to analyse the scientific ways through which these uncertainties could be reduced. The Shahid Beheshti University has overlapping interests in the area of low dose effects, mixed exposure effects and effects in populations, especially around Ramsar, where the hightest level of natural radioactivity background (132 mSv) may be measured. Been the interest for WONUC to accord  it�s dedication to eliminate any existing uncertainty and the problems, considering human health and environment.

Holding continuative international conferences on this subject is an effective measure to reach this goal.

The Administration of Shahid Beheshti University will be very delighted to host and welcome you in October of 2003, for the 3rd WONUC conference on "The Effects of Low and Very Low doses of Ionizing Radiation on Human Health.

 

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