RPAZ Seminar

At the invitation of the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ), the ICNIRP Chair, Dr Akimasa Hirata, participated in the National Seminar on Non-Ionising Radiation Safety in Bulawayo on 11–12 June 2025. The seminar, titled “Strengthening Safety Standards: Understanding and Managing Non-Ionising Radiation Risks,” focused on safe management of non-ionizing radiation (NIR) in fields like power grids, telecommunications, lasers, and MRI.

 

Dr Hirata presented “International Exposure Guidelines: Associated Frameworks and Regulations,” explaining how ICNIRP develops independent, science-based guidelines to protect people and the environment from NIR. He outlined ICNIRP’s evolution since 1992 into a globally recognized body with an international and interdisciplinary team of NIR experts, highlighting key guidelines over the whole NIR frequency range.

 

Special attention was given to the recent Radiofrequency Guidelines, which form the basis for telecommunications safety regulations in many countries including Canada, Australia, Malaysia, China, Brazil, and Japan. Dr Hirata continued by explaining the guidelines development process and the specific NIR effects these guidelines address. He concluded with an overview of ICNIRP’s current activities in particular related to low-frequency.

 

The ICNIRP Chair appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the seminar organized by RPAZ and values the ongoing efforts to advancing non-ionizing radiation protection in Zimbabwe.