Providing Expertise in Radiation Protection and Dosimetry
The Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge (CRPK) is a nationally and internationally recognized team of radiation protection and dosimetry experts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). CRPK is responsible for supporting the development and application of radiation dosimetry and risk assessment methodologies that are based on the best available scientific information.
For decades, CRPK has developed and applied biokinetic and dosimetric models for estimation of doses to tissues of the body arising from external radiation fields or intakes of radionuclides. The models and databases derived from these models have been widely used by federal agencies as well as national and international scientific bodies such as the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Specific capabilities of CRPK include:
- Computational dosimetry using stylized, voxel and/or mesh anthropomorphic phantoms;
- Biokinetic modeling of the transport of different elements in the human body;
- Technical evaluation of radiological protection standards;
- Compilation and evaluation of radionuclide decay data and the construction of environmental source terms;
- Dose reconstruction and radiological assessment from a variety of source terms;
- Radiation dosimetry using spectral and dose measuring instruments; and
- Other radiation protection research.
For additional information on the history of CRPK, see Program History.
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Authors recognized for contributions to ICRP Publication 158
The authors of ICRP Publication 158, including Rich Legget, Caleigh Samuels and Derek Jokisch, were recognized at International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 2025, the 8th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection for their work on behalf of the ICRP. Publication 158 is the first in the “Dose coefficients for intakes of radionuclides by members of the public” series which provides age-dependent dose coefficients for environmental intakes of radionuclides and is scheduled to appear in late 2025.
Samuels appointed to ICRP Task Group 130
Caleigh Samuels has been appointed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to serve as a member of ICRP Task Group 130. The task group will develop dose coefficients for exposures to embryos/fetuses and breastfeeding infants resulting from diagnostic nuclear medicine. The Task Group will draft an ICRP Publication and an accompanying electronic dose viewer. Samuels was appointed due to her expertise in biokinetic modeling. Samuels also serves on ICRP Task Group 95 which computes internal dose coefficients for the worker and members of the public.
Martinez elected to ICRP Main Commission
Nicole Martinez has been elected to serve on the Main Commission of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The Main Commission is the governing body of the ICRP and is responsible for setting policy and providing strategic direction. Members of the Main Commission serve 4-year terms with the current term carrying through 2029. Under leadership of the Main Commission, the ICRP is currently developing recommendations for the next System of Radiological Protection. Martinez is the first person with an ORNL affiliation to serve on ICRP’s Main Commission since Dr. K.Z. Morgan who served from 1953 to 1973.