RADIOECOLOGY
Advancing the Science of Protecting Humans and the Environment from Radiation

Decision makers and the public need accessible, understandable information about the many different issues concerning radioactivity in the environment. Scientists need to provide independent guidance based upon well founded research.

Radioecology is the study of the behaviour and effects of radioactive elements in the environment and measures the exposure of humans and other organisms to radiation. It has became a strong discipline in Europe in response to the Chernobyl accident. But now, as experts retire, expertise is being lost and radioecology is becoming fragmented across Europe - STAR, COMET and the European Radioecology Alliance hope to stop this decline and maintain and develop skills.
 
Radioecologists consider many sources of natural and man made radioactivity. They also develop methods of reducing people’s exposure to radioactivity such as those used after the Chernobyl accident. These skills are again required in response to the Fukushima accident.

Watch the video explaining what radioecology is to people working in the field.
[Acknowledge: Clare Bradshaw, Stockholm University]