The future of the ICRP recommendations

Dear Sir In his invited editorial (J. Radiol. Prot. 21 (2001) 101-3) Geoffrey Webb chooses to open his commentary on the proposals of the International Commission on Radiological Protection for new recommendations with the homespun aphorism, `If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' During the development of the 1990 recommendations, the same call was made in favour of retaining the 1977 recommendations. Like most aphorisms, this is a good slogan but a poor policy. It may have been adequate in the days of covered wagons, or even of the Model T Ford, but now it is only a call for inaction. It discourages the use of preventive maintenance, which is now a significant part of the achievement of safety in the management of potentially dangerous situations. Fortunately, Webb goes on to recognise that the system of protection in the 1990 recommendations (ICRP Publication 60) `has some faults'. The Commission's progress report of 2001 (J. Radiol. Prot. 21 113-23) also made it clear that significant changes would be needed. Its initial proposals are obviously more than a second edition of Publication 60. They will be the subject of international discussion for some years before a final proposal can be made. The bulk of Webb's comments and further comments from IRPA will be part of this discussion. As a member of the Commission that adopted Publication 60, I feel strongly that those recommendations are not broken, but they certainly do need fixing. Another homespun aphorism bites the dust! Yours faithfully,