The aim of TENEB

The work plan

In recent years a number of accidents have occurred that show the necessity to be prepared for a possible large-scale radiological accident or a terrorist attack, where the casualties will be members of the public. The accident may likely have an international scale and the radiation exposure can range from very low to substantial. An important initial step in the medical response to large-scale radiological accident is the triage of patients according to the severity of exposure. Here, an essential tool of doses assessment is biological dosimetry. It allows confirming or rejecting the doses suggested by the clinical triage. In Europe there are several laboratories with considerable experience in biological dosimetry. Each laboratory can easily perform biological dose assessment for incidents involving a few people. However, in a large-scale radiological accident or terrorist outrage the number of people that may need to be screened could easily exceed the capacity of a single laboratory. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop a European network of laboratories involved in biological dosimetry in order to be prepared for a radiological mass casualty.

The objectives of TENEB is to define the framework of a NoE in biological dosimetry and to perform a feasibility study to determine its viability.  The study will form the background to the consideration of including such a topic in a subsequent EURATOM WP.

TENEB is composed of an interconnecting series of 6 WPs.

WP1: Analysis of situation. To define the goals and framework of a NoE in biodosimetry, identify the potential participating laboratories and design a questionnaire that will be sent to each laboratory in order to map the available competence in Europe. To define the strategy for consultations with the national radiation protection authorities.

WP2: European Consultations. Following WP1 there will be a round of consultations with biodosimetry laboratories (through questionnaires) from outside the EU (consultations) and from within the EU (consultations and identification of potential participants of a NoE) and with the national radiation protection authorities/laboratories in all European countries. Other national agencies or academic institutions may be contacted following advise from potential future participants of a NoE.

WP3: Viability assessment. Based on the response from the laboratories the earlier defined framework of a NoE will be verified. Based on the response from the national radiation protection authorities and the laboratories the viability of a NoE will be assessed. A report for EC will be written.

WP4: Collecting statements. Following the viability assessment there will be a round of contacts with the national radiation protection authorities/laboratories. The authorities/laboratories will receive a copy of the report for Euratom and will be asked to sign a statement of intent committing themselves to a sustainable integration of their research in biological dosimetry. The coordinator will visit an authority/laboratory upon demand.

WP5: Report. The report written during WP 3 plus the signed statements from the radiation protection authorities/laboratories will be sent to EC.

WP6:  Management.

The duration of the project is 6 months