What is ISO 20031 about?
ISO 20031 discusses radiological protection. ISO 20031 specifies the requirements for personal contamination monitoring and dose assessment following wounds involving radioactive materials. ISO 20031 includes requirements for direct monitoring at the wound site, monitoring of uptake of radionuclides into the body and assessment of local and systemic doses following the wounding event.
Note: ISO 20031 does not address:
- Details of monitoring and assessment methods for specific radionuclides
- Monitoring and dose assessment for materials in contact with intact skin or pre-existing wounds, including hot particles
- Therapeutic protocols. However, the responsible entity needs to address the requirements for decontamination and decorporation treatments if appropriate
Who is ISO 20031 for?
ISO 20031 on radiological protection is useful for:
- Nuclear Facilities
- Health and safety bodies
- Doctors
- Medical personnel
Why should you use ISO 20031?
In the course of their employment, radiation workers may be exposed to radioactive materials that could be incorporated into the body. Intakes of radionuclides need to be monitored to determine that any exposures are at expected levels. Internal doses resulting from intakes of radionuclides cannot be measured directly. Estimating the dose requires decisions to be made about the monitoring techniques and frequencies along with methodologies for dose assessment.
ISO 20031 offers guidance for the design of a special monitoring programme and for dose assessment in the case of wound contamination with radionuclides. Recommendations of international expert bodies and international experience with the practical application of these recommendations in radiological protection programmes have been considered in the development of ISO 20031.
ISO 20031 application facilitates the exchange of information between authorities, supervisory institutions, and employers.