Today we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). On 3 December 1955 the General Assembly unanimously approved resolution 913(X), which established UNSCEAR with the mandate to evaluate scientific data on the levels, effects, and risks of exposure to ionizing radiation on both humans and the environment. UNSCEAR has since then become the world’s most trusted source of independent, science-based assessments on the levels and effects of ionizing radiation on human health and the environment. States members of UNSCEAR have doubled from its initial 15 to the current 31. The Committee relies on a network of hundreds of scientists in the field of radiation science to carry out its work and has also established a network of national contact persons which has been gradually expanded to include scientists from over 100 UN Member States. Over the past 70 years, UNSCEAR has published 115 scientific annexes, 1 summary report and 5 white papers. Key publications published by the Committee include:
For the last 70 years, UNSCEAR has served the international community with great dedication to advance knowledge on the global levels and effects of ionizing radiation, supporting international efforts to ensure the safe use of radiation in industry, medicine and research. In an era of evolving challenges UNSCEAR will continue its vital mission to provide the highest quality of scientific advice to inform decision makers and the scientific community throughout the world.
