9 March,  1978

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTER FOR  ENVIRONMENT. HOUSING  AND  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Canberra A.C.T.  P78/10

RELEASE OF AI RAC REPORT ON ESTIMATES OF RADIATION RISK

The Australian Ionising Radiation Advisory Council's third  report "Estimates of Risk for Radiation Carcinogenesis and  Mutagenesis" uas today released by the Minister for EnvironÂ­ ment, Housing and Community Development, Mr. Ray Groom.

Mr. Groom said the report uas an Australian revieu of  radiation risk estimates uhich would make a useful contribution  to the current consideration of uranium and other nuclear

matters. Previously international and American estimates  were used.

The estimates will assist in predicting the biological effects  of radiation exposure and assist in assessing suitable safety  standards in the use of radioactive materials.

The report uill also benefit scientific workers, hospitals,  universities and other institutions as well as organisations . like the Australian Atomic Energy Commission and the Australian  Radiation Laboratory.

"The report, uhich uas written by Dr. G.M. Uatson is a significant  contribution to the scientific consideration in Australia of the .   estimates of risk from radiation exposure", Mr. Groom said.

The Australian ionising Radiation Advisory Council uas formed  in 1973 to advise the Government on the effects of the various  actual and potential sources of ionising radiation exposure on  the Australian population and environment.

Since its formation, AIRAC has advised the Government on a number  of matters, including the effects of fallout over Australia  from nuclear weapons tests. AIRAC's two previous reports

reviewed this fallout problem from 1973 to 1975. .

