| Abstrakt: |
Both X rays and radioactivity were discovered before the end of the last century and deleterious effects, particularly in the case of external radiation, appeared within the year and were recognized as such. However, the biological effects of internally deposited radioactive material proved to be much more insidious and recognition of the associated pathology was consequently delayed. The long-term effects of radium and its daughters were seen in a few individuals who were concerned with research into radioactivity and also at a later date among instrument-dial painters in New Jersey as a result of the introduction of radium and thorium compounds for luminizing purposes. Bone tumours were seen together with severe bone marrow deficit; subsequent autoradiographs of autopsy bone specimens from these workers in the late 1920's revealed that radium and its compounds were selectively taken up by bone. The history of these biological effects of radiation makes depressing reading (Hunter, 1969), but in view of the relatively small number of people involved it is not surprising that a considerable time elapsed before the introduction of adequate radiation-protection standards. The first recommendations were made in 1921 and 1923 by the British X-ray and Radium Protection Committee and were followed by further discussions at the First International Congress of Radiology in 1925, which subsequently led to the ICRP being formed at the Second International Congress at Stockholm in 1928. |
