The work of ICRP Task Group 121 – the effects of preconceptional and intrauterine exposures

Hereditary effects in future generations following radiation exposure of parents prior to the conception of their children are an important component of the ICRP system of radiological protection as set out in the 2007 Recommendations of ICRP. Also of special interest is the exposure in utero of the embryo/fetus because not only do the consequent carcinogenic and hereditary effects need to be considered (as with individuals exposed after birth), but additionally teratogenic (developmental) effects, such as congenital malformations, need to be taken into account. ICRP Task Group 121 is examining the evidence of health effects following preconceptional and intrauterine exposure to radiation to determine whether the evidence that has become available since the 2007 Recommendations will require modification of the risk estimates associated with these exposures. Further, the current ICRP system of radiological protection does not encompass transgenerational effects of exposure of non-human biota, and this is a gap that needs to be filled. This article summarises the work of Task Group 121 from a brief review of the position taken on preconceptional and intrauterine exposures in the 2007 Recommendations to what might have been learnt from more recent studies.