Radiation protection surveillance of Agency operations 1998. A report to the Radiation Protection Committee

The Radiation Monitoring and Protection Services Section (RMPS) is responsible fro conducting the physical surveillance programme applicable to Agency operations involving the use of ionizing radiations or radioactive source. This covers, in particular, individual dosimetry of all individuals for whose radiation protection the Agency is responsible (Agency staff, experts, trainees, etc.) as well as, where applicable, the monitoring of the working environment. The IAEA Radiation Protection Rules and Procedures require the Radiation Health and Safety Officer to report annually to the Radiation Protection Committee on the activities carried out under this programme. The present Report covers activities performed and results obtained in this context. About 800 individuals were monitored, either routinely or on an ad-hoc basis. No case of overexposure was registered. The average annual personal dose equivalent, Hp(10), among Agency staff, was 0,735 mSv and the maximum annual individual dose was 4.52 mSv. As far as TC experts are concerned, the average dose received during assignment was 0.148 mSv, the maximum dose being 1.01 mSv. The Section continued to perform its duties in operational radiation protection at Agency premises. There was no evidence of increase over natural background radiation levels that could be attributed to the IAEA Laboratories' activities. 3 field missions were undertaken this year as support to Agency activities. (author)