MTHR - Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research

Sub-Group on Communications

Terms of reference

The aim of this sub-group is to consider the presentation of information on radiation doses and associated health risks to the public. In particular it will address:

• Who is the audience for such information, e.g. people being consulted on a proposed authorisation, local residents around a nuclear site, pressure groups.
• What kind of information people want
• How such information should be presented

Consideration should be given to retrospective and prospective dose assessments i.e total risk, as well as to single dose estimates and probabilistic results. The group will need to review the research carried out for FSA [and others] and will need to develop their work programme with frequent reviews by the full NDAWG.

Communication workshop

In February 2009 a workshop was held on communication within a radiation emergency. The aims of the workshop were to:

* explore how responding organisations would work together to inform, advise and communicate with communities and the media in the event of a radiation emergency:
* raise awareness of the risks, pitfalls and best practices through the assessment of existing procedures and the sharing of experiences:
* offer an opportunity for emergency planners and communications professionals to meet and work together.

A report describing the workshop can be found here (PDF, 350KB, 38 pages)

The communication subgroup has also prepared a leaflet on the risk of radiation exposure from discharges

Q&A leaflet on "Regulation and Risk of Radiation Exposure from Discharges (PDF, 1.5MB)

Minutes of meetings

10 February 2009 (PDF, 29KB, 5 pages)
29 October 2008 (PDF, 32 KB, 7 pages)
11 March 2008 (PDF, 70KB, 7 pages)
26 October 2007 (PDF, 29KB, 5 pages)
30 January 2007 (PDF, 27KB, 4 pages)
21 September 2006 (PDF, 21KB, 4 pages)
29 June 2006 (PDF, 24KB, 5 pages)
12 April 2006 (PDF, 30KB, 4 pages)

Date of next meeting

July 2009