The skin in radiological protection--recent advances and residual unresolved issues

Exposure of the skin is important in radiological protection because, as the most superficial organ of the body, it can often receive the highest absorbed dose from an external exposure. It also has the highest radiation-induced cancer incidence risk factor of any organ (although mortality is very low). The ICRP and NCRP have, particularly over the past 15 y, been able to set dose limits for the exposure of the skin on the basis of an extensive body of radiobiological, clinical and epidemiological data. Some of the main advances in skin dose limitation in radiological protection and some of the remaining unresolved issues are reviewed.