MoH adopts resolutions for radiation protection

The minister of health, Dr Ahmad Al-Awadi, has adopted three ministerial decisions on the use of ionizing radiation and the prevention of its risks, based on the recommendations of the radiation prevention committee and the proposals of the radiation prevention department of the public health sector.

The ministry said in a press release on Tuesday that the three decisions come as part of updating the legislative framework for radiation protection and maintaining the safe and peaceful use of all radiation sources in the country. She explained that the first decision included the adoption of the regulation on the security of radioactive and nuclear sources, pointing out that it clarifies the basic parameters of how to maintain the safe and peaceful use of all radiation sources in the country and how to preserve them.

The minister pointed out that the decision included, for the first time, new regulatory issues, as it ensures the security of nuclear materials through the detection-delay mechanism—addressing and managing security to prevent the possibility of unauthorized withdrawal of nuclear and radioactive materials.

He pointed out that the second decision specified the procedures and documents required to apply for a license for entities dealing with ionizing or non-ionizing radiation sources. The decision is aimed at simplifying the procedures and reducing the process of obtaining the license for the location and use of ionizing or non-ionizing radiation.

The ministry said that the third decision included exposure limits and radiation safety standards to deal with non-ionizing radiation sources, as this decision paves the way for Kuwait to enter the field of communication networks to ensure the safety of workers, the general public, and the environment from the risks of exposure to electromagnetic fields arising from non-ionizing rays of various spectra.