Maintaining dose histories in the UK

There are two main reasons for wanting to set up a complete dose history covering the entire working life of a radiation worker. The first is to ensure that his or her radiation exposure is properly managed and that all legal obligations have been met. This can be broadened to include the collection of dose statistics which help guide the framing of legislation and the setting of dose constraints. The second reason is to be able to conduct epidemiological studies which will provide direct evidence on the risks of exposure to low doses of radiation at low dose rates. In the UK, the Central Index of Dose Information (CIDI) meets the first of these needs, and the National Registry for Radiation Workers (NRRW), the second. (author)