IABERD Association

The creation of the International Association of Biological and EPR Radiation Dosimetry (IABERD) is the result of a series of conferences named EPRBioDose.

EPRBioDose is, in fact, two conferences in one: the International Symposia on EPR Dosimetry and Dating (EPR) and the International Conference on Biological Dosimetry (BioDose).  EPR has been held around the world every 3 to 5 years since 1985. Since 1998 (with only one exception in 2001) the scope of the symposium has been broadened to include the International Conference on Biodosimetry. After Sao Paulo (Brasil), Bethesda (MD, USA) and Hanover (NH, USA) editions, the conference takes place in Europe again after 12 years absence.

Conference topics covered several aspects addressed by the two former series of conferences, i.e., EPR dosimetry, EPR dating and biological dosimeters/indicators applied to ionizing radiations, with a balance between basic and applied research. New data on the use of these indicators in different exposure situations, and the implication of these methods in radiological emergency or terrorist attack scenarios are the lastest introduction.

EPRBioDose conferences had generally 150 participants from more than 20 countries.

For example, during the EPRBioDose 2010, a total of 149 abstracts were accepted after review by the scientific committee, and 140 presentations were effectively delivered at the conference (60 oral and 80 poster presentations). The conference schedule featured 17 oral sessions, opened by invited speakers, and 16 poster sessions.

An important event during this conference was the creation of a new association called IABERD (International Association of Biological and EPR Radiation Dosimetry).

The aim of this association is to sustain (financially, technically and/or scientifically) cooperation over time between scientists working in the various aspects of EPR dosimetry, EPR dating and biodosimetry, by providing a common framework for the organization of EPRBioDose Conferences, and by promoting more specific technical events.

The draft constitution was discussed during the first general assembly which took place in the course of the conference.

The participants ratified the Association Constitution whose text is reported in full after this Editorial.