For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OUS/345
1 July 2016
VIENNA, 1 July (UN Information Service) -- The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) today concluded its 63rd session, held at the Vienna International Centre this week. The following were elected as officials for the 64th and 65th sessions of the Committee: Hans Vanmarcke (Belgium) as Chair, Patsy Thompson (Canada), Peter Jacob (Germany), Michael Waligórski (Poland) as Vice-Chairs, and Gillian Hirth (Australia) as Rapporteur.
The Committee also marked the 60th anniversary of its first session, which was held in 1956, with a reception hosted by the Mayor and Governor of Vienna, Michael Häupl, on 27 June.
The Committee discussed and approved for publication scientific evaluations on: Methodology for estimating human exposures due to radioactive discharges; Radiation exposures from electricity generation; Biological effects of selected internal emitters (tritium and uranium); and, Developments since the 2013 UNSCEAR Report on the levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the nuclear accident following the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami.
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The mandate of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), established in 1955, is to undertake broad reviews of the sources of ionizing radiation and the effects on human health and the environment. Its assessments provide a scientific foundation for United Nations agencies and governments to formulate standards and programmes for protection against ionizing radiation. The secretariat in Vienna, which is functionally linked to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), organizes the annual sessions and manages the preparation of documents for the Committee's scrutiny.
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For information contact:
Jaya
Mohan
Information Officer, UNSCEAR
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060 4122
Email: jaya.mohan[at]unscear.org
