Aim
Protection against
the adverse health effects of non-ionizing radiation
is a broad field demanding knowledge of many scientific
disciplines. Most important among these are epidemiology,
medicine, biology and physics and engineering.
It is ICNIRP’s aim to harnass such expertise by
bringing together, within its membership, independent
experts in these fields to provide sound advice
on the health hazards of non-ionizing radiation
exposure based on thorough professional evaluations
of the published scientific literature.
Roots
ICNIRP’s beginnings go back to 1973 when, during the
3rd International Congress of the International Radiation
Protection Association (IRPA), for the first time, a
session on non-ionizing radiation protection was organized.
IRPA is the international body representing radiation
protection professionals world-wide. This was followed
in 1974 by the formation of an ICNIRP Working Group
on non-ionizing radiation and in 1975 by a Study Group
to review the field of non-ionizing radiation.
During the 4th IRPA International Congress in 1977 the
International Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee (INIRC)
was created. This Committee was the immediate forerunner
of ICNIRP which was chartered
as an independent Commission in 1992 during the IRPA
7th International Congress. As per its Charter, ICNIRP
was to seek incorporation as a non-profit making scientific
body. It is registered as a registered association in
the register of associations (Vereinsregister) in Germany
(see Statutes).
It's Secretariat is based in Munich. ICNIRP is also
a formally recognized non-governmental organization
in non-ionizing radiation for the World Health Organization
and the International Labour Office.
Since the beginnings of INIRC and ICNIRP over 20 years
ago, its members have devoted their scientific efforts
to providing independent authoritative advice on non-ionizing
radiation and health. Today this work is carried out,
not only by the main Commission, but through the expertise
of the members of its four scientific Standing Committees
on Epidemiology, Biology, Physics and Engineering and
Optical Radiation. More recently ICNIRP has added
an ever larger range of specific skills and expertise
to its membership through the appointment of Consulting
Members. Thus ICNIRP aspires to providing the most
authoritative independent expert advice on matters relating
to non-ionizing radiation and health and to consult
widely in formulating and promulgating such advice.
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