Current News Archive

29 January 2019
ICRP/IRPA Special Session Call for Abstracts: 2019 HPS Annual Meeting

"Tolerability and Reasonableness"

Nicole Martinez and Thierry Schneider

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) will be cohosting the special session "Tolerability and Reasonableness" at the 2019 Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting. Reasonableness and tolerability are key concepts that underly the principles of optimization and dose limitation, and much discussion and debate has arisen with respect to how we practically and responsibly implement them.

"Tolerability" provides a conceptual framework for implementation of optimization and limitation according to the level of risk, based primarily on exposure. "Reasonableness" is the foundation of optimization implementation (i.e., ALARA) and informs decision making with respect to adequate protection levels on a case-by-case basis and through an inclusive process.

Although tolerability and reasonableness are rooted in the ICRP core ethical values of beneficence/nonmaleficence, prudence, justice, and dignity, a variety of additional values can come into play that necessitate judgement that might not be immediately obvious. This special session is motivated by a desire to reflect on these two terms, posing such questions as:

  • What is the link between tolerable and reasonable?
  • What are the considerations and criteria on which these two concepts are based?
  • How do we account for sensitive or vulnerable populations?
  • How do we best support reasonable value for society?
  • Are the same criteria applicable for tolerability in all exposure situations?
  • What are some strategies to assist in balancing competing values in determining what is tolerable and/or reasonable?

Anticipated speakers will include representatives from ICRP and IRPA, and we invite HPS members and other interested parties to submit an abstract related to the topic so that we may have a wide variety of perspectives to consider and discuss.

If you have questions regarding the suitability of your abstract for the session or other related questions, please email Nicole Martinez or Thierry Schneider.