Table 1 List of the SDGs with examples of use or existence of ionising radiation which require recommendations on radiological protection

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

1.5 Build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters

Resilience of people in vulnerable situations after nuclear emergencies:

-ICRP Publication 146 “Radiological protection of people and the environment in the event of a large nuclear accident” (ICRP 2020d): Recommends optimal protection of people and the environment in a large nuclear accident, drawing on experience of the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents.

-ICRP Publication 109 “Application of the Commission’s Recommendations for the Protection of People in Emergency Exposure Situations” (ICRP 2009a): Provides guidance for optimal preparedness for, and response to, all radiation emergency exposure situations that require urgent action in order to avoid or reduce undesirable consequences.

- ICRP Publication 111 “Application of the Commission’s Recommendations to the Protection of People Living in Long-term Contaminated Areas after a Nuclear Accident or a Radiation Emergency” (ICRP 2009b): Provides guidance for optimal protection of people living in long-term contaminated areas resulting from either a nuclear accident or a radiation emergency.

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

2.4 Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Remediation of contaminated arable land and restoration of agricultural activities following a nuclear accident or for the management of legacy sites:

- Proceedings of the International Conference on Recovery after Nuclear Accidents: Radiological Protection Lessons from Fukushima and Beyond (ICRP 2021e): Include recommendations on remediation of contaminated arable land and restoration of agricultural activities following a nuclear accident or for the management of legacy sites

- ICRP Publication 124 “Protection of the environment under different exposure situations” (ICRP 2014a): Describes the framework for protection of the environment and explains how the Commission’s recommendations can be implemented to satisfy different forms of environmental protection objectives.

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

3.4 Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

3.9. Reduce the number of deaths and illness from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

Safe use of ionising radiation in medical imaging and radiotherapy:

- ICRP Publication 135 “Diagnostic reference levels in medical imaging” (ICRP 2017a): Recommends quantities for use as diagnostic reference level (DRLs) for various imaging modalities and provides information on the use of DRLs for interventional procedures and in paediatric imaging.

- ICRP Publication 140 “Radiological protection in therapy with radiopharmaceuticals” (ICRP 2019a): Provides an overview of therapeutic procedures and a framework for calculating radiation doses for various treatment approaches to ensure optimal treatment outcome.

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

4.3 Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

Support of Education & training in radiological protection:

- ICRP Mentorship Programme (https://www.icrp.org/page.asp?id=465): To promote knowledge in the field of radiological protection among young people worldwide.

- ICRP Vancouver Call for Action to strengthen expertise in radiological protection worldwide (Rühm et al. 2023a)

- ICRP Publication 154 “Optimisation of Radiological Protection in Digital Radiology Techniques for Medical Imaging”, in press (to include education/training, teamwork, lifelong learning, assessment of quality assurance and improvement) (ICRP 2024b) and ICRP Publication “Practical Aspects in Optimisation of Radiological Protection in Digital Radiography, Fluoroscopy, and CT”, in press (ICRP 2024g)

- ICRPaedia educational materials (http://icrpaedia.org/Main_Page)

- Web-based open events organised by ICRP and free publications and training materials available at the ICRP website: To offer open and free-of charge education in the field of radiological protection among people worldwide.

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

6.3 Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimising release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

Radiological protection of the environment including water resources:

- ICRP Publication 124 “Protection of the environment under different exposure situations” (ICRP 2014a): Recommends how different forms of environmental protection objectives can be reached, which may require the use of representative organisms specific to a site, and how these may be compared with the reference values.

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

Radiation protection in technological developments:

- ICRP Publication 123 “Assessment of Radiation Exposure of Astronauts in Space” (ICRP 2013b): Describes the terms and methods used to assess the radiation exposure of astronauts and provides data for the assessment of organ doses to optimise health protection.

- ICRP Publication 132 “Radiological protection from cosmic radiation in aviation” (ICRP 2016a): Describes the basic radiological protection principles that apply to passengers and aircraft crew and the available protective actions.

- ICRP Publication 142 “Radiological protection from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in industrial processes” (ICRP 2019c): Provides guidance on radiological protection in industries involving naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM).

- ICRP Publication 154 “Optimisation of Radiological Protection in Digital Radiology Techniques for Medical Imaging” (ICRP 2024b): Provides guidance on the adaptation of levels of dose and image quality to clinical tasks, taking advantage of the wide dynamic range offered by digital imaging equipment.

10. Reduce inequality within and among countries

10.2 Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

International collaborations and engagement (see also SDGs 4 and 5):

- ICRP recommendations to be applied all over the world for the benefit of all.

- ICRP Publication 138 “Ethical Foundations of the System of Radiological Protection” (ICRP 2018a): Development of a System of Radiological Protection that is based on fundamental ethical principles.

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

11.1 Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums

Protection against exposure due to radon at home and at work:

- ICRP Publication 65 “Protection Against Radon-222 at Home and at Work” (ICRP 1993): Recommends the control of radon and its progeny in both dwellings and workplaces.

- ICRP Publication 126 “Radiological Protection against Radon Exposure” (ICRP 2014b): Describes the characteristics of radon exposure, covering sources and transfer mechanisms, the health risks associated with radon, and the challenges of managing radon exposure.

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

12.4 Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimise their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

Recommendations on the management of radioactive waste in the environment:

- ICRP Publication 122 “Radiological Protection in Geological Disposal of Long-lived Solid Radioactive Waste” (ICRP 2013a): Explains how the ICRP System of Radiological Protection described in Publication 103 can be applied in the context of the geological disposal of long-lived solid radioactive waste.

- ICRP Publication 142 “Radiological protection from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in industrial processes” (ICRP 2019c): Provides guidance on radiological protection in industries involving NORM.

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.2 Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

Radiological Protection of the Environment through radiological impact assessment:

- ICRP Publication 91 “A Framework for Assessing the Impact of Ionising Radiation on Non-human Species” (ICRP 2003), ICRP Publication 108 “Environmental Protection - the Concept and Use of Reference Animals and Plants” (ICRP 2008), ICRP Publication 124 “Protection of the environment under different exposure situations” (ICRP 2014a): Methodological framework for sea water reference animals (fish, crustaceans) based on scientific evidence on the effects of ionising radiation on non-human populations; Provide guidelines for measuring the impact of radiation on the environment to optimise protection.

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

15.1 Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements

Radiological Protection of the Environment through radiological impact assessment:

- ICRP Publication 91 “A Framework for Assessing the Impact of Ionising Radiation on Non-human Species” (ICRP 2003), ICRP Publication 108 “Environmental Protection - the Concept and Use of Reference Animals and Plants” (ICRP 2008), ICRP Publication 153 “Radiological protection in veterinary practice” (ICRP 2022c): Methodological framework for terrestrial reference plants; Provide guidelines for measuring the impact of radiation on the environment to optimise protection.

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

16.7. Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels

Stakeholder’ participation in RP decision making:

- ICRP Publication 138 “Ethical foundations of the System of Radiological Protection” (ICRP 2018a): Seen as a procedural value in the System of Radiological Protection

- Initiation of the Fukushima dialogue (ICRP 2016d “Proceedings of the International Workshop on the Fukushima dialogue Initiative”)

- ICRP Publication 146 “Radiological protection of people and the environment in the event of a large nuclear accident” (ICRP 2020d): Promotion of the co-expertise process with stakeholders in affected areas

- Publication 154 “Optimisation of Radiological Protection in Digital Radiology Techniques for Medical Imaging” (ICRP 2024b): Discusses shared decision making and patient well-being

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

17.6 Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism

International relationship and formal relations with Special Liaison Organisations:

- Development of the System of Radiological Protection in close contact with various international organisations including UN organisations and professional associations (Rühm et al. 2022, 2023b)

- Informal relationships with local and regional radiological protection organisations.