Opening Address by D. Flory [International Conference on Radiation Protection In Medicine, Bonn (Germany), 3-7 December 2012]

Let me begin by stating that the use of ionizing radiation in medicine has brought humankind tremendous benefits since it was first used more than a hundred years ago. Over the years, the development of new technologies, new procedures and new uses has quickened its pace. This has resulted in medical radiation exposures becoming a very significant component of the total radiation exposure of humans. It is currently estimated that every single day, 10 million people receive diagnostic, therapeutic or interventional medical radiation procedures. While the majority of these procedures are performed safely and appropriately, there are situations throughout the world where radiation safety is either lacking or deficient