Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation (AGIR): Subgroup on High Dose Radiation Effects and Tissue Injury

Terms of reference

Significant damage to normal tissues does on occasion occur following radiotherapeutic treatments, certain newer medical practices and, more rarely, diagnostic radiography. Similar acute radiation effects could occur as a consequence of a radiological or nuclear terrorist incident. The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published on risk from deterministic effects of ionising radiation' in 1996 ( Docs. NRPB, 7 (3) ). Given the heightened concern of terrorist incidents, it is timely to assess the acute and late effects of radiation, particularly in relation to tissue injury. The AGIR subgroup will review developments in this field and report on risks of tissue injury, possible preventative strategies and therapeutic options. The subgroup will identify gaps in knowledge and make recommendations for future research.

Membership

Chairman

Dr Margaret Spittle, OBE, University College London Hospitals

Members

Professor Andy Adam, St. Thomas' Hospital
Professor Bryn Bridges, OBE, University of Sussex
Dr David Holt, Institute of Naval Medicine
Professor Penny Jeggo, University of Sussex
Dr David Lloyd, HPA
Dr Peter O'Neil, MRC Radiation and Genome Stability Unit
Dr Mohi Rezrani, University of Reading
Professor Michele Saunders, University College London Hospitals

Corresponding member

Dr Jolyon Hendry, IAEA

Secretariat

Dr Roy Hamlet, HPA
Mrs Carol Nix, HPA

HPA representative

Dr Jill Meara, HPA

Observer

Dr Hiliary Walker, Department of Health

Work plan

The first meeting of this subgroup was held in November 2005. The first priority of the group is to establish what information is currently available on high dose radiation effects and tissue injury and what work, if any, is being carried out in this area, both nationally and internationally. Once established, the information will provide a benchmark from which to move this work forward.

A more detailed timetable can then be drawn up for producing a report on the risks of tissue injury and what preventative strategies and therapeutic options are currently available. Gaps in current knowledge and recommendations for future research will be included in the final report, which is expected by 2008.

First meeting

November 2005

Last reviewed: 10 April 2008