Truth Or Consequences—Bo Lindell'S Contribution To Radiation Protection

Abstract

Bo Lindell, former chairman and emeritus member of ICRP, former chairman of UNSCEAR, former Director General and emeritus worker of the Swedish Radiation Protection Institute, is a phenomenon. His profound influence on radiation protection, and indeed on environmental protection and risk research in general, includes a profuse flow of scientific publications on all aspects of protection of man against harmful effects of radiation. In this context, perhaps his most important efforts hitherto are those relating to nuclear power. The concept of dose commitment, invented by Bo Lindell, is used worldwide to regulate emissions of radioactive substances, taking into account not only the often trivial dose to immediate bystanders, but the global effect over long time-frames. In the long run, his continuing personal influence on radiation protection as a branch of science and a kind of role model for other types of environmental protection may attain an even greater importance.