ICRUs

ICRUs is the plural form used to refer to the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, an international standards body focused on radiological quantities, units, and dosimetry. The organization develops and publishes internationally accepted definitions, measurement procedures, and reference data used in medicine, industry, and research to ensure comparability of radiation measurements across countries and disciplines.

ICRU activities center on producing technical reports and recommendations known as ICRU Reports. These documents define quantities such as absorbed dose, kerma, and the concepts of equivalent dose and effective dose, and they provide guidance on calibration, measurement methodologies, reference phantoms, and quality assurance for radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, and radiation protection. The work supports consistent dosimetry practices in clinical settings, laboratories, and regulatory contexts.

The ICRU operates through expert working groups and collaborates with other international bodies, including the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and various national metrology institutes and standards organizations. Through its publications and collaborative processes, ICRU aims to harmonize terminology, quantities, and procedures across disciplines and regions, facilitating safer and more effective use of ionizing radiation.

Historically, the ICRU emerged from efforts within the international radiology and physics communities to standardize radiation measurements and units after World War II. It continues to publish updated guidance as technology and clinical practices evolve, maintaining influence on radiological protection, dosimetry, and related fields.

Notes: The plural form ICRUs is uncommon; most references use ICRU to denote the organization and its publications. When used, ICRUs may refer informally to multiple ICRU reports or working groups.