CLOR

Prof. Dr  hab.  Zbigniew Jaworowski

CENTRAL LABORATORY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION               

ul. Konwaliowa 7, 03-194 Warszawa, Poland

tel.  (48-22)745-4434;  mobile 0602-333-559; fax (48-22) 754-4435;

e-mail jaworo@clor.waw.pl

                                                                                              22 April, 2002

Dear Friend,

 

I am writing this letter to ask you to help the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), critically endangered by financial difficulties, which have presently virtually paralyzed its activity, to the extent that it is unable to convene this year to continue its scientific work.

 

UNSCEAR was established in 1955, as the only organization of the United Nations specifically entrusted with responsibility for compilation of scientific data on the sources of ionizing radiation, and for assessing their impact on man and environment. In recognition of the importance of this issue for the current and future health of mankind, the Committee was mandated to report directly to the General Assembly. The Committee is composed of 21 Member States (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Sudan, United Kingdom, and United States of America). In its work are engaged about 140 persons: two members of the Secretariat, about 120 members of the national delegations including 21 Representatives and about 100 Advisors, and a team of about 15 Consultants recruited by the Secretariat, from among the pre-eminent and internationally recognised scientific experts. Under the guidance of the Scientific Secretary, the Consultants draft scientific documents requested by the Committee for review and discussion at its annual sessions.

 

During the past four decades the Committee has estimated the effects of nuclear test explosions, of civilian and military nuclear fuel cycles, of medical irradiation, of occupational radiation exposure, of nuclear accidents, and of natural radiation. The Committee has also studied the basic biological processes required to understand the mechanisms of somatic and genetic effects of radiation. The Committee developed a unique, highly effective and competent method of authoritatively reviewing  original scientific information, which has been regarded to be exemplary for other fields (Editorials in NATURE vol. 349, p. 189; and vol. 371, p. 269).

 

Several conclusions reached by the Committee have had considerable impact in the scientific community. In its 1994 Report UNSCEAR for the first time officially confirmed the existence of adaptive and beneficial effects of low levels of radiation. In the 2000 Report on the health effects of the Chernobyl catastrophe, the Committee estimated that in addition to the 30 deaths of power plant employees and firemen, apart from an increase of thyroid cancer in children, no increase in overall cancer incidence or mortality, and no increase of hereditary disorders have been observed, that could be attributed to ionizing radiation.

 

Because of the high standard and objectivity of its work UNSCEAR became the most authoritative international scientific body in the matters of radiation. Its reports became a virtual “Bible” for all scientists working on radiation effects. Its work became one of the principal factors in developing the nuclear atmospheric tests ban treaty, and has provided an objective and independent basis for developing the regulatory systems of radiation protection on international and national scales.

 

The General Assembly highly appreciates and endorses the work of UNSCEAR in its consecutive Annual Resolutions, including the most recent one of 27 February, 2001, in which it:

 

“Commends the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the valuable contribution it has been making in the course of the past forty-five years, since its inception, to wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of ionizing radiation, and for fulfilling its original mandate with scientific authority and independence of judgement.”

 

Until about 1994 the relatively small funds provided to UNSCEAR by the United Nations were sufficient to maintain an adequate level of its operation. Since that date, however, the per annum allotment has been considerably decreased. For example, the allotment for Consultants decreased during the past eight years, as follows:

 

Biennium period

Consultants

Travel and honoraria    ($ US)

1994-1995

84,250

1996-1997

47,700

1998-1999

41,900

2000-2001

26,000

2002 Annual appropriation

13,900

 

Allotment for travel of the Scientific Secretary was changed from $ US 7,200 in 1994-1995 to $ US 1,500 in 2002. In the same period the travel expenses of the Representatives were decreased by 25% to 44%. As a  result, for the first time since its establishment in 1955, UNSCEAR was forced to postpone its 51st session, originally scheduled for May 6 – 10, 2002.

 

This budgetary situation brought forth a virtual paralysis of the current work of UNSCEAR, and may easily lead to its dissolution, with inscrutable loss to the world science and to the future development of the radiation protection system. This system is now beginning to apply the new understanding of biological effects of radiation and beginning to recognize better the important role it plays in the world’s economy.

 

According to the estimate of the UNSCEAR Secretariat the amount needed for the restarting the operation of the Committee is about $ US 80,000 per year. Sixteen sponsors contributing each $ US 5000 a year could save the future of UNSCEAR.

 

I am urging you to help UNSCEAR in two ways: (1) a long-term solution, by diplomatic efforts, and (2) by short-term fund-rising activities which will enable the continuation of the work of the Committee over the next 2 – 3 years.

 

Your country, as a Member State, may suggest to the Fourth Committee of the United Nations to act to return to support UNSCEAR at 1994-1995 levels.

 

As a temporary solution, the Secretariat of UNSCEAR is preparing, together with UNOV Finance, a trust fund at the UNO office in New York. The prospective donors to the UNSCEAR trust fund could also come forth from domains other than industry, thus maintaining the independent status of the Committee. In this vein, I am asking you to kindly provide me with a list of persons or organizations in your country, which could then be approached by the UNSCEAR Secretariat for such support.

 

Thanking you in advance for your consideration and help, I remain,

 

Yours sincerely,

Zbigniew Jaworowski

Representative of Poland in UNSCEAR