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ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is the Australian Government’s primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety.

ARPANSA deals with both ionising and non-ionising radiation. Common sources of ionising radiation include X-rays, CT scans and naturally occurring radioactive materials. Common sources of non-ionising radiation include the sun, mobile phones, base stations and power lines.

Vision and mission

  • ARPANSA's purpose is to protect the Australian people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation.

How ARPANSA can help

The ARPANSA program of work entails four key strategic activities that guide their priorities and contribute to delivering radiation protection and nuclear safety outcomes to the Australian community:

  • Initiate, maintain, and promote frameworks for protection and safety
  • Undertake research and provide expert evaluations, advice, and services
  • Ensure effective and risk-informed regulation
  • Enhance organisational innovation and capability

Information / help lines

  • Call 1800 022 333 Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm AEST, or email: info@arpansa.gov.au

Programs, apps and tools

Recommended links

Last reviewed: July 2022

Information from this partner

Found 52 results

Advice for consumers: Lasers, IPL devices and LED phototherapy for cosmetic treatments and beauty therapy | ARPANSA

Thinking of undergoing a cosmetic treatment from laser, intense pulse light devices (IPL), or high-powered light emitting diode (LED) phototherapy? There are currently no Australia-wide requirements on who may deliver cosmetic treatments using lasers, IPLs and LEDs

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Sun protection using sunscreens | ARPANSA

There is well established evidence that exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun can lead to skin cancer

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Smoke detectors and health | ARPANSA

The small amount of radioactive material in some smoke alarms is not a risk to health

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Electromagnetic Radiation Health Complaints Register | ARPANSA

ARPANSA closed the Australian Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Health Complaints Register in April 2022   The register was first introduced in 2003 to collect reports of health concerns related to possible EMR field exposures in the range of 0‑300 GHz

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Ultraviolet radiation | ARPANSA

Solar UV radiation is the single most significant source of UV radiation and can reach a person on the ground from three sources, directly from the sun, scattered from the open sky and reflected from the environment

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Radiofrequency radiation | ARPANSA

Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation carries energy and information

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Microwave ovens and health | ARPANSA

There is no established evidence that microwave ovens cause any health effects when used according to the manufacturer's instructions and maintained in good working order

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Flying and health: Cosmic radiation exposure for casual flyers and aircrew | ARPANSA

The scientific evidence does not indicate an increase in health risk from exposure to naturally occurring cosmic radiation while flying

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Airport passenger screening and health | ARPANSA

The millimetre wave technology used for passenger screening in Australian international gateway airports does not pose a health risk

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

Ultraviolet radiation hazard assessments | ARPANSA

Do you have a concern about how much exposure there may be from the sun or an artificial ultraviolet radiation (UVR) source? Sources of UVR hazards The sun is the greatest UVR hazard for people in Australia but there are also many industrial processes and situations where people can be exposed to high levels of UVR from artificial sources

Read more on ARPANSA – Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency website

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