A review led by ARPANSA has shown that sunscreen is safe to use and, when applied correctly, reduces the risk of skin cancer and sunburn.

The review paper examines the benefits and risks of sunscreens, compliance requirements and how sunscreen should be used for optimal effectiveness. Results showed there is still work required to change behaviour of Australians to use sunscreen and apply it correctly. 

‘Behaviour change takes time and persistence and we have seen really positive evidence of Australians protecting their skin from ultraviolet radiation (UVR) over the years’, said Dr Stuart Henderson, lead author and Assistant Director, UVR Exposure Assessment at ARPANSA. 

‘There is still work to be done to ensure people apply enough sunscreen frequently enough to provide good protection and there is also a need to combine this with hats, clothing, sunglasses and shade’, said Dr Henderson. 

‘Sunscreen should be the last line of defence against UVR.’ 

Published in a skin cancer prevention edition of Public Health Research & Practice (PHRP), a journal of the Sax Institute, the paper recommends continued regulation and long-term skin cancer prevention policies and programs to promote effective use of sunscreen and other sun protection measures. 

‘We found that existing regulation and compliance processes are valuable in protecting consumers and ensuring the safety of products sold in Australia’, said Dr Stuart Henderson. 

‘However, the testing methods available to determine the efficacy of sunscreen products are not ideal.’ 

Current sunscreen testing relies on applying UVR to the skin of volunteers to determine the ability of sunscreens to prevent skin reddening or sunburn. 

‘We advocate strongly for further research to develop a suitable testing method that does not involve exposing people to harmful UV,’ said Dr Henderson. 

The paper is included in the special skin cancer prevention edition of PHRP, published open access with the support of Cancer Council, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the Australian Skin and Skin Cancer Research Centre.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the Australian Public Service Graduate Program.

The agency is seeking two graduates to join the Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Graduate Program in 2022.

The program aims to foster the next generation of leaders in radiation protection and nuclear safety.

‘We’re offering STEM graduates the opportunity to engage in a rewarding career that plays a vital role in health protection both within Australia and internationally,’ said Dr Gillian Hirth, Chief Radiation Health Scientist and Deputy CEO at ARPANSA.

‘Australia is well-regarded within in the international community as a leader in radiation protection and our staff contribute to research, advice and standards on a global level.’

Both graduates will rotate through various teams over a 24-month period including radiation health services, medical radiation services and regulatory services.

‘Our program provides a unique opportunity for graduates to understand ARPANSA’s role in developing a strong radiation protection and nuclear safety framework for Australia’s nuclear-submarine program,’ said Dr Hirth.

‘This is part of a larger recruitment drive that ARPANSA is undertaking as we continue to strengthen our specialised workforce.’

ARPANSA protects Australians and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation through understanding risks, best practice regulation, research, policy, services, partnerships and engaging with the community.

To find out more visit the Career Pathways Portal: https://www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/graduate-portal

In February the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) released a joint statement on global equity in cancer care including safe delivery of cancer treatment through dosimetry audit services.

Dose accuracy is critical to safe cancer treatment. Dosimetry audits provide assurance that the radiation dose delivered to the patient aligns with the planned dose.

ARPANSA’s Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service (ACDS) is Australia’s independent dosimetry auditing service for radiotherapy centres across Australia and New Zealand, providing extra surety for around 70,000 Australians who will be treated with radiotherapy for cancer this year.

‘Dosimetry auditing is an excellent safety net to trace systemic issues which impact the amount of radiation being received by the patient and may otherwise go undetected’ says Dr Ivan Williams, Chief Medical Radiation Scientist of ARPANSA.

‘We have more than a decade of experience auditing radiotherapy equipment across Australia and New Zealand and engage with international partners to share knowledge and advance global practices’, said Dr Williams.

‘The IAEA/WHO statement is a good reminder that the excellent quality assurance measures we have in place in Australia are not yet available globally.’

‘It is wonderful to see the learnings from our experience translate to real-world benefits in Australasia and beyond.’

The ACDS compares audit results with data sets collected over a decade that enables deviations in the delivery of radiation to be readily detected and investigated.

Auditing has led to significant improvements in radiotherapy delivery, making it safer and more accurate.

The ACDS shares its audit developments, data analysis, findings and recommendations with the global dosimetry auditing network.

Read more about the Agency’s findings and national impact on our website: ACDS news and publications

ARPANSA and the Cancer Council of Victoria have advised Australians to avoid using aerosol sunscreens and stick with creams and lotions for UV protection. 

The advice follows a recent study conducted by Griffith University that found the effectiveness of applying aerosol sprays is impacted by wind conditions.

The research tested five commercially available aerosol sunscreen products in Australia.

'Tests were conducted in controlled laboratory environments which simulated the application of aerosol sunscreen during various wind conditions’ said Dr Elke Hacker, Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University.

‘The study found that a large percentage of the sunscreen does not reach the skin when being sprayed at the recommended distance.’

‘We calculated the blown away sunscreen could cost the user between $4-16 per application.’

These findings follow previous research showing aerosol sprays are not as effective as creams or lotions as it’s difficult to know how much sunscreen is dispensed with each spray.

ARPANSA recommends that users opt for other SPF products with a more reliable application method, like a cream or a lotion.

‘Skin cancer impacts 1 in 3 Australians and sunscreen is key to prevention’ said Dr Rick Tinker, Director of Assessment and Advice for ARPANSA.

‘Knowing how much sunscreen you are applying is important.’

‘Protecting Australians from the harmful effects of UV radiation is a core part of ARPANSA’s role and this research helps us understand the efficacy of sunscreen products.’

Sunscreen should be the last line of defence and should be used alongside other sun protection methods:  

• slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible
• slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30 or higher sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards
• slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your face, head, neck and ears
• seek shade
• slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards.

The full report is available on the ARPANSA website: 

ARPANSA has finalised its annual report on radiation safety incidents using data collated from radiation regulators around the country. The report helps identify opportunities for improvement in the safe use of radiation particularly in the medical sector.

The new Australian Radiation Incident Register (ARIR) report provides a summary and analysis of incidents that occurred during 2020. The report includes a focus on workflows in nuclear medicine. Nuclear medicine accounted for 157 of the 803 incidents reported for 2020.

‘Ensuring the right patient gets the correct amount of the right radiopharmaceutical is a vital part of nuclear medicine’, said Mr Jim Scott, Chief Regulatory Officer at ARPANSA, ‘asking verification questions at the right time and organising your workspace can help prevent errors.’

Assessing the workflow or patient journey can help to identify areas for improvement. Examples from the report include reducing the number of vials in the workspace, the effective use of colour coding and placement, and the use of labels and computer scanning.

‘These incidents, while rare, highlight learnings from nuclear medicine incidents that can be applied in many different settings’, said Mr Scott.

‘Overall, we continue to see an increase in the number of incidents reported each year’, said Mr Scott, ‘this increase is likely due to improved reporting practices, rather than an increase in actual incidents.’

‘It is a reflection of good regulatory practice among hospitals, organisations and contributing states. Everyone can learn from each other’s experiences to ensure safe radiation use across Australia.’

Findings of the report include:

• a total of 803 incidents reported – demonstrating better awareness of reporting
• 529 of the reported incidents were in diagnostic radiology, with 157 in nuclear medicine, and 40 in radiotherapy
• patients were exposed to less than 1 mSv of radiation in 47% of incidents
• human error was identified as a factor in more than 65% of incidents
• equipment failure or deficiencies accounted for 17% of incidents.

Information from the ARIR raises awareness on where, how and why incidents and events involving radiation occur, and shares strategies to prevent them.

Both the ARIR and this summary report play an important role in ensuring the ongoing safety of Australians using or receiving radiation.

Read more: ARIR annual summary reports.

A simplified example of a nuclear medicine workflow (view full-size workflow):

In another world first, ARPANSA and Swinburne University have joined forces to produce a systematic map of the scientific evidence into the impact of radio waves on the environment.   

The proposed protocol for the systematic map has been published in the Environmental Evidence Journal, outlining how the map will collate all the available evidence on the impact of radio waves. 

The map will include peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English and will cover studies performed in the natural environment (in situ) and in a laboratory, cage, aquarium etc (ex situ). It will also help identify any gaps in research and priorities for future research to ensure the continued protection of the environment. 

‘There is a great need for a systematic collation of all the available evidence on whether radio waves have a negative impact on animals and plants in the environment,’ said Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, Assistant Director, Health Impact Assessment at ARPANSA.  

‘This work is particularly timely given the public concern over the impact of the 5G network and other telecommunications sources on the environment,’ said Associate Professor Karipidis.  

The systematic map is being delivered under ARPANSA’s Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Program, which aims to promote health and safety and address misinformation about EME emissions.  

Read more about this research on the  ARPANSA website. 

ARPANSA has released a draft advisory note on the public health considerations for disposal of radioactive waste.

The advisory note informs how health and well-being will be considered as part of licence applications such as those relating to the government’s proposed National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (NRWMF).

ARPANSA is inviting interested stakeholders to provide feedback on the advisory note through an online consultation process.

‘This advisory note establishes an inclusive approach to community engagement when assessing potential impacts on health and well-being,’ said Dr Rick Tinker, Director Assessment and Advice at ARPANSA.

‘It is important that regulatory decisions take into account relevant social and psychosocial considerations in making an overall assessment of health impact.’

‘We are seeking input from industry, regulators, government and members of the public to engage in the consultation process.’

The Australian Radioactive Waste Agency (ARWA) has announced an intention to establish a NRWMF in Napandee, near Kimba in South Australia. ARPANSA has not yet received any licence applications relating to the NRWMF. 

The development of this advisory note forms part of ARPANSA’s preparations in anticipation of receiving a siting licence application in the coming years. 

To provide feedback on the content of the advisory note, please fill out the form available on the Have Your Say section of ARPANSA’s website.

Submissions close at 5pm AEDT on Wednesday 15 December.

The advisory note will support ARPANSA’s role as the independent regulator of Commonwealth entities that use or produce radiation and ensure that community safety and wellbeing remain at the core of our work.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency has partnered with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) government to support the development of a sovereign radiation monitoring capability in the region. The initiative is funded through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

RMI is a Pacific nation in Micronesia and the site of several historical nuclear weapons tests by the United States.

Analysis has been conducted to evaluate the ongoing impact of these tests on the local people and environment, however this new program will allow RMI to develop monitoring capability locally and provide more information to the community about radiation health and safety in the region.

The partnership commenced earlier this year and is part of a wider IAEA program that involves set up of a radioanalytical laboratory, development of a monitoring program and training and support over a 3-year period.

‘We are excited to be working with the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority and RMI Environmental Protection Agency teams as well as the National Nuclear Commission in the Marshall Islands to scope out a program of ongoing monitoring of key radionuclides’ said Marcus Grzechnik, Director, Monitoring and Emergency Response at ARPANSA.

‘The RMI is a significant site for understanding the impact of historical nuclear tests on the environment and on marine life.’

Candice Guavis is the project lead and Marine Toxicology Researcher at the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) and is keen to share the findings of research with the local community.

‘Fish and seafood make up a large proportion of our diet in the Marshall Islands and this program of work will help us better understand the safety of some of those fish products people consume every day,’ said Ms Guavis.

‘This work will help us build local capacity and develop scientific capability to measure radiation in our environment and keep the community informed and engaged.’

This partnership and the wider IAEA program will provide the RMI government with the skills and equipment necessary to undertake independent studies and make informed decisions about the health risks associated with the nuclear legacy.

On 29 June 2018, the ARPANSA CEO issued a Direction to ANSTO under section 41(1A) of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (the Act) to initiate an independent safety review following a series of events with safety implications at the ANSTO Health (now Health Products) facility.

The most significant event involved contamination of a worker in August 2017 that exceeded the statutory dose limits.

In accordance with the Direction, ANSTO engaged an independent review team that was approved by ARPANSA to perform the review. The team reviewed ANSTO’s approach to occupational radiation safety of processes and operational procedures at its nuclear medicine facility.

In total, the review team raised 85 recommendations to be addressed by ANSTO in an implementation plan. The ARPANSA CEO approved the implementation plan in December 2019, following the ARPANSA Nuclear Safety Committee’s and Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council’s advice on the matter.

The implementation plan prioritised actions based on the reduction of risk and the timely protection of workers. With the application of a licence condition, ARPANSA required that ANSTO report on progress of the implementation plan every six months, which has been occurring since the end of 2019. The most recent report was submitted to ARPANSA in July 2021.

After an action is considered by ANSTO to have reached practical completion, it undergoes a review and validation process prior to reporting to ARPANSA.

ARPANSA then reviews all documentation demonstrating completion. The majority of the recommendations have now been addressed and associated actions completed and validated. The remaining recommendations and associated actions are being progressed in line with agreed timeframes.

ARPANSA is generally satisfied with ANSTO’s actions to address the recommendations of the independent safety review and will continue to monitor progress of the implementation of actions to ensure the highest level of protection is achieved.

The annual report of the CEO of ARPANSA 2020-2021 was tabled in parliament on Tuesday 19 October 2021 and is now available in the Commonwealth government Transparency Portal. 

The report covers ARPANSA’s performance against financial and strategic objectives as well as our activities as a regulator and is an important tool for public information and accountability. 

Highlights include: 

• ARPANSA’s response to COVID-19  
• licencing activities and significant regulatory findings 
• updates on progress under our Electromagnetic Energy Action Plan to support research and public information on mobile telecommunications and health. 

‘With offices in Sydney and Melbourne, ARPANSA had to navigate a range of travel and workplace restrictions during the 2020-21 financial year,’ said Dr Carl-Magnus Larsson, ARPANSA CEO.  

‘With the learnings from the first half of 2020, we were able to adjust work activities to continue our work, including regulatory activities and providing vital services to healthcare providers while many of our staff worked remotely.’ 

The report also includes information on ARPANSA’s digital transformation and workforce planning activities to ensure the ongoing success of the agency.  

‘ARPANSA staff undertake a range of specialist roles that help to maintain Australia’s position as a leader in radiation protection’, said Dr Larsson, ‘we’re investing in the systems and plans required to support a sustainable, high-performing workforce into the future.’ 

Read the full ARPANSA annual report 2020-21 on the Commonwealth government Transparency Portal or on the ARPANSA website.