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NRL Strategic Plan - 2008-2011

This publication can be downloaded as a PDF (4021 kB)

For the mid-term (April 2009) review click here.

Contents

Introduction

Context

Health sector
National
International
Future direction

Outcome

Output activities

Administration of legislation
Emergency response and security
Information and advice
Monitoring and measurement services

Support activities

Organisational challenges

Appendix One

Relationship with national agencies

Appendix Two

Relationship with overseas and international agencies

Introduction

The National Radiation Laboratory (NRL) operates as a specialist unit within the New Zealand Ministry of Health.  Its main roles are to regulate the use of ionising radiation sources, to provide an emergency response capability in the event of incidents involving radiation sources, and to provide measurement and advisory services for both ionising and non-ionising radiation within New Zealand and overseas.

As is common in a number of other small countries, New Zealand has adopted a ‘single-agency’ approach to the implementation of radiation safety and security.  This delivers a range of benefits, including the centralisation of scarce specialist expertise in a single place, providing cost effectiveness, and maintenance of critical mass.  Against this are balanced certain compromises, such as potential conflicts of interest arising from being both the regulator and a user of radiation sources in New Zealand.

This plan provides a framework for the development of NRL activities over the years 2008-2011.  It is written at a time of restructuring within the Ministry of Health, and therefore also seeks to provide a clear picture of the contributions that NRL makes towards the desired outcomes of the Ministry.

The plan describes the setting for NRL activities, the contribution to the Ministry’s outcomes, with an analysis of NRL outputs within this context.  The strategic responses to the challenges arising set the development framework for the next three years.

In working to deliver these responses, NRL will continue to apply the underlying principles of scientific excellence and professionalism, high-quality service delivery, independence and accountability, transparent and credible processes, effective and authoritative communication, and continuous quality and performance improvement.

The application of these principles in implementing this strategic plan will ensure that at all times the activities of NRL are consistent with desired Ministry attributes of quality and cost-effectiveness.

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Context

The organisation now known as NRL was taken into the Department of Health in 1951.  At that time, the very clear focus of its operations was support of and safety in the use of radiation and the machines and materials that produced it.  This was a time of rapid expansion in the use of x-rays and radioactive materials in medical practice.

As New Zealand responded to national and international concerns over the expanding use of radiation, radioactivity, and nuclear technology, the role of NRL changed.  This has resulted in NRL having a view broader than human health alone, with additional responsibilities for radiation and radioactivity in the environment and in national and international security.

The range of functions NRL currently performs are consistent with the following guidance on national infrastructures for radiation safety, as described in the International Basic Safety Standards for Protection against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources:

• Administering legislation, including authorising and inspecting regulated activities and enforcing compliance with the legislated framework.
  

• Providing support in the case of radiological emergencies which might result in exposure of the New Zealand public, ensuring safety in the disposal of radioactive waste, and providing for security of radiation sources.
  

• Providing information to New Zealanders and New Zealand organisations on the health and safety aspects of exposure to radiation and related regulatory processes.
  

• Enabling the provision of facilities and services that are essential to assure radiation safety which are beyond the capabilities of those authorised to use radiation, and to monitor the environment for any build-up of radioactive material.

The New Zealand implementation of these requirements is described in Section 4.

Health sector

Human health and safety remain a very important focus for NRL activities.  Medical use of radiation continues to be the biggest contributor of radiation doses to New Zealanders from non-natural sources.

As a New Zealand Regulatory Authority, NRL ensures that appropriate people are responsible for the proper implementation of protection of people exposed to ionising radiation:

• as patients undergoing medical procedures,
  

• as workers through the use of machines or materials that produce such radiation,
  

• as members of the public who may be exposed due to proximity to radiation sources in use.

NRL also has a role as an expert advisor when it comes to human exposure to non-ionising radiation, which is not widely regulated currently.  NRL takes the lead for Government comment on the health effects of such radiations.

National

While NRL resides within the Ministry of Health, there is considerable overlap between the desired outcomes of NRL and those of other national agencies.  NRL therefore maintains relationships with a variety of national organisations in order to support New Zealand as a whole through the outputs it delivers.  The nature of the relationship varies considerably, from NRL taking a lead through to NRL offering support.  Appendix One provides a summary of these relationships.

International

General policies concerning radiation safety and security are developed internationally, and may be reflected in treaties and conventions to which New Zealand is a state signatory.  These policies require local implementation, local support, and international presence.  This provides for both efficiency and across-border consistency.  To this end NRL engages with a variety of international and overseas organisations as set out in Appendix Two.

Future direction

The following external issues are seen as critical factors in determining the scale and range of these NRL activities:

• Emerging technologies, aging population, and changes in the application of existing techniques in medicine
  
  The introduction of new technologies in medicine is already having an impact on radiation doses delivered.  Such new technologies include positron emission tomography (and the consequent possible on-site manufacture of radio-pharmaceuticals using cyclotrons), the replacement of film as an image receptor, the use of computerised tomography to replace plain film techniques, and the introduction of intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
  

• Changing attitudes to nuclear power generation
  
  Overseas, nuclear power is increasingly being seen as a necessary primary energy source, and plans for new installations are advancing in many nations.
   
  The debate continues overseas, including Australia and throughout Asia.
   
  New Zealand needs to remain informed on this issue, particularly in regard to safety and waste.
  

• Growth in international concerns about nuclear and radiation issues
  
  The growing awareness of terrorist threats leads to the further development of responses to them, such as increased security in cross-border transfers and storage of radioactive materials, and the development of plans to counter malicious radiological events.
   
  The spread of nuclear technology to a wider group of nations is already raising international tensions, and increasing the importance of initiatives to curb nuclear weapons proliferation (such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and Safeguards).
  

• New Zealand’s preparedness for emergencies of all types
  
  Like many nations, New Zealand is developing more comprehensive plans for emergencies stemming from a wide range of events, including those involving releases of radioactive material.
  

• Public concerns and queries over radiation and electromagnetic fields
  
  Increased availability of information from a wide range of sources continues to fuel public concern over exposure to radiation of all types, including electromagnetic fields associated with cell phones, cell sites, and power lines.
  

• Increasing demand for objective and accurate measurements
  
  Heightened public awareness and reduced acceptance of risk lead to increasing demand for specialised instrumentation, techniques and facilities to enable accurate measurements and objective assessment of risks arising from exposure to radiation and electromagnetic fields.
  

• Developments in international advice on radiation safety
  
  As improved understanding on biological effects is gained from continuing studies around the world, policy advice on protection measures is modified.  Recent advice from the International Commission on Radiological Protection suggests that measures taken to protect humans from ionising radiations are inadequate to protect the environment, and consequently biodiversity.  Advice from the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection continues to be reviewed as further studies on the effects of human exposure to non-ionising radiations become available.
  

•  Increasing concerns about radioactive waste in the environment
  
  Other legislation is affecting provisions for the disposal and discharges of radioactive materials into the environment.  Earlier disposals are causing land-use difficulties.  The policy for the management of wastes requires clarification and consistent application.
  

• Increasing concerns about naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)
  
  Activities involving the extraction, mining, processing, use, transport and disposal of materials containing NORM may increase exposure to workers and others to levels of concern.

It is anticipated that these factors will result in increasing scales of activity and demand for expertise during 2008-2011, within the current range of work undertaken.  It is therefore appropriate for NRL to continue to develop along its present paths within its existing external structural framework.

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Outcome

NRL contributes to the Ministry of Health vision “Healthy New Zealanders” by delivering trusted radiation safety and security for New Zealanders.

NRL will deliver this outcome, and contribute to those of other Government agencies, through the delivery of the following outputs:

1. Administration of legislation.
   
2. Emergency response and security.
   
3. Information and advice.
   
4. Monitoring and measurement services.

The benefits sought for all New Zealanders are optimal safety and security through the protective measures undertaken by NRL, trust in the systems ensuring radiation safety, and better health through ensuring the safe and effective application of radiation in the health sector.

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Output activities

Administration of legislation

NRL administers the Radiation Protection Act and Regulations on behalf of the New Zealand Government.  This enhances radiation safety and security by ensuring that minimum legal requirements are met and that the use of radiation is appropriately controlled.

Activities

• Administration of authorisations
  
  NRL administers a licensing system to ensure that prospective users of radiation meet required standards.  This is complemented by a system of consents to deal with radioactive material, accreditations to carry out support services, notifications of irradiating apparatus sales and maintaining records of radiation sources.
  

• Compliance monitoring
  
  This consists of the monitoring and investigation of practices, sources and facilities for the purposes of assessing the compliance with regulatory controls.  The key components of compliance monitoring are: radiation safety assessments and on-site audits; incident investigation; the assessment and monitoring of practices and sources including the provision of data on patient and public radiation doses and monitoring of the accuracy of dose delivery in radiotherapy.
  

• Enforcement
  
  Enforcement activities are undertaken when voluntary compliance cannot be obtained.  Enforcement measures include licence suspension, cancellation, and ultimately prosecution.
  

• Assessment and surveillance
  
  This includes the safety assessment of proposed new practices and sources, and surveys of patient and public radiation doses to monitor trends and set reference dose levels.
  

Challenges

• To achieve greater consistency and compliance with Government-agreed international treaties, conventions, and standards.
  

• Continued improvement of NRL’s regulatory performance within the existing legislative environment.
  

• Changing use of existing and introduction of new radiation technologies.

Strategic direction

NRL will continue to adopt and implement the principles of ‘Smart Regulation’ to further strengthen its policy, processes and regulatory effectiveness.

The following specific priorities have been identified:

• Work closely with all government agencies to promote and support enactment of new legislation.

• Review and rewrite all Codes of Safe Practice.

• Implement a new regulatory database.

• Continue to develop comprehensive compliance monitoring processes.

• Develop a comprehensive surveillance capability to assess the effectiveness of the regulatory framework.

Emergency response and security

NRL enhances radiological security within New Zealand through provision of a secure storage facility for radioactive wastes, and an emergency-response capability to protect the public and environment from radiation exposure or contamination due to accidental or malicious causes.  The protection of New Zealand from off-shore “nuclear” events is enhanced through activities associated with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and other international initiatives.

Activities

• Emergency preparedness
  
  NRL is the national source of expertise for any radiation emergencies.  It has a radiation-emergency response plan, maintains a 24/7 response capability, and supports other emergency response agencies.

• Radioactive waste security
  
  A secure, medium-term storage facility for radioactive wastes, including depleted uranium, is maintained under surveillance.

• Global monitoring and international cooperation
  
  The NRL-operated Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty monitoring stations and certified laboratory contribute data on the status of the global environment; and the National Data Centre allows early detection of offshore events which may adversely affect New Zealand.
  
  NRL cooperates with international organisations in a range of global security-assurance and other activities, notably in regard to international transport of nuclear and radioactive materials.

• Training
  
  Training in radiological safety is provided through formal courses and seminars for emergency responders, Health Protection Officers, and transport operators.

Challenges

• The need for an integrated NRL emergency-response capability addressing both on- and off-shore events.

• Ensuring continued spent-sealed-source security.

• Improving synergy and clarity of emergency response arrangements nationally and internationally.

• Improving radiation hazard awareness and response capability in the emergency response sector.

• Maintaining momentum in the establishment and maintenance of activities to prepare for entry-into-force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty; and improving the quality and timeliness of advice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty matters.

Strategic direction

NRL will continue to improve its emergency response and security capabilities while also strengthening relationships with other agencies, and further developing its participation in New Zealand’s global initiatives.  The following priorities have been identified:

• Further develop the emergency response plan including formation of a formal incident response group and fill capability gaps, including internal dosimetry.

• Relocate and redevelop the storage facility.

• Further develop inter-agency relationships.

• Provide resources and training to promote radiation safety, security and awareness.

• Assist the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade by engaging with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation and States Parties through participation in Working Group B meetings, workshops, and other discussions.

• Continue to develop the National Data Centre in accordance with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade expectations.

• Continue to support Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation through International Monitoring System station construction and operation as appropriate, and operation of the certified New Zealand radionuclide laboratory.

Information and advice

NRL provides authoritative information and advice on radiation safety and security to the whole of government, assisting them to make well-informed decisions on national and international policy.  Trust and confidence in radiation safety in New Zealand is enhanced by engagement with the public on issues of concern.

Activities

• Advice to the Government
  
  NRL makes its expertise available to all government agencies whose interests touch on radiation safety, as well as the more specialised interests of the Ministry of Health.  It chairs the Interagency Advisory Committee on the Health Effects of Non-ionising Fields, and works with staff from other departments/ministries as needed on topics of mutual interest.  NRL works closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on international treaties and conventions concerning disarmament and radiation sources, and attends meetings in connection with New Zealand’s interests in these areas.

• Advice to other organisations
  
  NRL provides safety assessments and advice on-demand to a range of organisations (local bodies, State Owned Enterprises, Universities etc).

• Advice to the public
   
  NRL provides information to the public on radiation safety through a website, printed material, and in response to requests.

Challenges

• Maintaining expertise in specialist and non-operational areas.

• Mixed awareness of NRL and its areas of expertise.

• Open-ended range of topics that NRL could offer advice in.

Strategic direction

NRL will evaluate internal procedures and strengthen ties with other organisations to ensure that information and advice on radiation safety and security is delivered to all user groups.  The following priorities have been identified:

• Work within cooperative international programmes (eg, World Health Organisation electromagnetic fields project, International Atomic Energy Agency).  Maintain close links with sister organisations in other countries.

• Develop communication strategies.

• Define the range of topics for which NRL will offer advice.

Monitoring and measurement services

Human senses cannot detect exposure to radiation, and equipment must therefore be used to detect and quantify any exposures to determine levels of risk to humans and the environment.  NRL provides a range of accurate and reliable monitoring, measurement and calibration services to assure safety.

Activities

• Radioactivity analysis
  
  The following services are provided:
   
  -  Environmental monitoring to determine that there is no build-up of radioactivity in the environment.
   
  -  Assessment of radioactivity content of foodstuffs, and certification of content in food produced for export.
  
  -  Analysis of environmental samples for other purposes and agencies.
  
  -  Measurements to detect leakage of radioactive material from encapsulated radiation sources.
  
  -  Measurement of naturally occurring radioactive materials in industrial processes.

• Measurement of occupational radiation dose
  
  A personal dose measurement service is provided to allow for assessment of individual radiation exposure received while working with radiation sources in the health and other sectors.

• Measurement standardisation
  
  Calibration services are provided to ensure that ionising radiation measurements are accurate and consistent both nationally and internationally.

• Measurement of non-ionising radiations
  
  A service to measure the strength of radiofrequency and power frequency fields is available to provide for quantification of exposures in an area of current interest.

Challenges

• Maintaining product/service relevance.

• Maintaining and developing required formal quality certifications and accreditations.

• Fragility of supply due to limited demand.

Strategic direction

NRL will continue to develop its radiation and radioactivity measurement services.  The following priorities have been identified in order to do this:

• Collect and assess feedback on the current services delivered.

• Maintain surveillance of alternative products and services for possible improvement purposes.

• Review systems to ensure that they support rapid product and service improvement.

• Assess the merits of any additional formal measures of product and service quality. Implement as appropriate.

• Ensure that those that have need of such services are aware of them and able to access them.

•  Extend the range and scope of services provided, as required to ensure safety.

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Support activities

NRL is a unit within the Ministry of Health, and operates within the Ministry’s policies and procedures.  Owing to its geographical and operational remoteness from the Wellington-based Ministry, it has, however, developed certain complementary internal services to support its output activities, particularly where there is a requirement that is different in scale or kind from the Ministry.

These activities are provided in support of the outputs listed above in section 4, and support their delivery.

Activities

• Records
  
  NRL maintains its own local paper and electronic records systems, supplementary to those provided centrally, to meet local needs.

• Facilities management
  
  NRL occupies the only Ministry-owned building.  This, and the nature of the activities housed, requires specialised approaches to site operation, development and maintenance.

• Information technology
  
  Support and development supplementary to those provided centrally is required.

• Information services
  
  NRL operates a local collection as part of the Ministry library.

• Purchasing, financial, and management accounting
  
  The operational and specialised nature of activity and complexity of funding arrangements of NRL output activities requires support supplementary to that provided centrally.

• Manufacture and maintenance of equipment
  
  The specialised nature of output activity justifies the inclusion of a mechanical workshop in the support services.

• Development and maintenance of quality systems and quality culture
  
  NRL has an on-going commitment to formal quality systems and a quality culture as means of meeting the expectations and needs of consumers of output activities and driving continuous improvement.

Challenges

• Changing accommodation requirements (including storage).

• Financing maintenance of major facilities.

• Ensuring continuity of supply of NRL in-house information technology services.

• Maintaining and extending quality systems, and quality culture.

Strategic direction

NRL will continue to develop and strengthen the internal activities that support its outcomes and to this end will:

• Undertake a review of accommodation requirements and develop a mid- and long-term plan.

• Undertake a review of maintenance requirements, develop a plan, and negotiate a means to support it.

• Document information technology systems within the wider quality system.

• Engage staff more broadly within existing quality systems, and any new quality initiatives.

• Identify further quality standards that assist in driving continuous improvement in systems, and staff capabilities and attitudes.

• Develop further internal measures to verify business performance.

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Organisational challenges

NRL has, as a fundamental goal, improvement of the delivery of its outputs as described in section 4.  In order to achieve this goal NRL faces a number of internal challenges that cut across the breadth of its activities.  Its ability to meet these challenges is critical for the delivery of trusted radiation safety and security for New Zealanders.

Human resources

As a small organisation operating in a specialist area, staffing is critical.  A relatively broad range of topics is covered by a small number of specialists, requiring flexibility on the part of both the organisation and individual staff members.

The immediate and future challenge is to maintain the expertise required to deliver NRL outputs to the volume and quality required, on both a continuing and reactive basis (as topics arise).

In order to meet these challenges NRL will:

• Identify immediate priority needs and recruit appropriately within existing staffing restrictions.

• Determine the required number of staff given current and projected demands and funding.  Obtain agreement to recruit as required.

• Document completely the range of activities undertaken by individuals, particularly where they fulfil more than one function.

• Formalise areas of overlap and succession to ensure that expertise and capacity can be maintained when individual staff are temporarily or permanently unavailable.  Identify training requirements.

Conflict of interest

National radiation safety infrastructures should include a regulatory system and the provision of services that are essential for safety and security but are beyond the expected capabilities of radiation users.  In a small jurisdiction these functions are best supplied by a single integrated unit bringing together a wide range of specialist knowledge.  While this brings advantages, possible conflicts of interest can arise between regulatory and other functions and between government and non-government advisory functions.

In order to meet these challenges NRL will:

• Ensure clarity and matching of revenue and expenditure in different revenue streams to ensure that cross-subsidisation does not occur.

• Thoroughly document NRL regulatory processes to ensure independence and defensibility of all regulatory decisions.

• Review services to ensure objectivity in delivery is maintained.

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Appendix One

Relationship with national agencies

This appendix sets out the broad nature of relationships between the National Radiation Laboratory and the following groups:

Civil Aviation Authority	NRL is acting as the Competent Authority for shipments of radioactive material; providing advice on implementation of International Atomic Energy Agency Transport Regulations.
Customs	Issuing consents for the import and export of radioactive material; providing training and advice concerning radioactive material, border incidents and illicit trafficking.
Defence	Providing advice on radiological aspects of science and technology programmes.
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet	Providing advice concerning radiation emergency preparedness and response, and other radiological issues of national interest.
Emergency Services	Providing emergency response support for Ambulance, Civil Defence, Hospitals, Defence, Police, and Fire Service.
Fire Service	Supplying data on radioactive material sources.
Land Transport New Zealand	Acting as the Competent Authority for shipments of radioactive material; providing advice on implementation of International Atomic Energy Agency Transport Regulations.
Maritime Safety Authority	Acting as the Competent Authority for shipments of radioactive material; providing advice on implementation of International Atomic Energy Agency Transport Regulations.
Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management	Providing training and advice concerning radiation emergency preparedness and response.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade	Providing support at meetings; operating the National Data Centre to support New Zealand in verifying compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty; operating the New Zealand radionuclide laboratory described in the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty; and operating Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty monitoring stations within the New Zealand jurisdiction.
New Zealand Food Safety Authority	Supplying data on the radioactive content of New Zealand foodstuffs to assist in the Food Safety Authority contaminants programme for food exporters.
New Zealand Meteorological Service	Collaborating with the Meteorological Service in its role as the National Warning Point under the Emergency Notification and Assistance Conventions as facilitated by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Occupational Safety and Health	Working with Occupational Safety and Health in areas of complementary responsibility where occupational exposure to radiation may occur.
Police	Conducting joint assessments of transport safety and security plans for the transport of high-risk-category radiation sources; providing advice and information to the Police Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit to assist with enforcement of the Land Transport Dangerous Goods Rule as it relates to transport of radioactive material.

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Appendix Two

Relationship with overseas and international agencies

NRL closely interacts with a number of international agencies including:

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency	ARPANSA performs similar functions to NRL.  NRL has observer status on the Radiation Health Committee, and full membership of the Australia and New Zealand senior regulators committee, both of which are chaired or hosted by ARPANSA.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation	The CTBTO is an international organisation established under the terms of the Treaty in order to provide oversight to its implementation. NRL is a contracted supplier delivering services relating to the installation, operation, and maintenance of monitoring stations; software development, maintenance, and helpdesk services. NRL is one of sixteen CTBTO-certified laboratories named within the Treaty. NRL is the New Zealand national data centre and uses CTBT International Data Centre products and services for treaty verification purposes.`
Geo-Sciences Australia	Geo-Sciences is the Australian CTBT National Data Centre for analysis and interpretation of CTBT data from seismic, hydro-acoustic, and infrasound monitoring.  It is also the operator of Australian infrasound stations. NRL collaborates with Geo-Sciences on issues of mutual interest.
International Atomic Energy Agency	The IAEA is an international organisation established under the terms of its statute to establish standards of safety for the protection of health and the minimisation of danger to life from ionising radiation.  It also promotes the peaceful application of nuclear technologies. NRL participates in a number of international IAEA committees, provides expert human resource for IAEA projects and initiatives, participates in international laboratory inter-comparison studies, and attends various conferences and meetings as a state representative.
International Commission on Non Ionising Radiation Protection	ICNIRP is an independent international scientific body established to provide advice on the health hazards of non-ionising radiation exposure. It is officially recognised by the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation as the international independent advisory body for non-ionising radiation protection. ICNIRP has published comprehensive reviews of the research literature on most parts of the non-ionising radiation spectrum, and exposure guidelines to protect against adverse effects, and continues to maintain surveillance of the research and update their guidelines.  ICNIRP guidelines form the basis for the New Zealand radiofrequency field exposure Standard, and New Zealand recommendations on exposures to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields.
International Commission on Radiological Protection	ICRP is an independent international scientific organisation that provides advice, recommendations and guidance on ionising radiation protection.  NRL provides commentary on reports and participates in expert committees.
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Energy	UNSCEAR reports to the United Nations General Assembly on global levels and effects of radiation.  It also provides for a scientific basis for radiation protection. NRL supplies national data relating to radiation use and doses received within New Zealand for incorporation into UNSCEAR reports and studies.
World Health Organisation	WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations.  It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. NRL and the Ministry of Health participate in the International EMF (electromagnetic fields) Project established under the World Health Organisation Public and Environmental Health Programme in 1996.  The aims of the project are to coordinate research, identify areas where further research is needed, publish authoritative health risk assessments in the WHO’s Environmental Health Risk Criteria series, and facilitate the development of internationally acceptable exposure guidelines.

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