Radiological protection in the Spanish nuclear industry under Franco, 1939-1975. / La protección radiológica en la industria nuclear española durante el franquismo, 1939-1975.

In debates about nuclear controversy, the issue of occupational safety in radioactive facilities is rarely foregrounded; it has historically been relegated to second place compared to the attention given to potential harm to the general population. Aiming for, at least, partially filling this historiographical gap, this article deals with the development of occupational radiological protection in Spain under the dictatorship of General Franco (1939-1975). It covers the rise of radiological protection measures on an international level and the subsequent development of legislation in the case of Spain, a process that paralleled the growth of the nation's nuclear program. Finally, it explores the main evidence of the impact of ionizing radiation on Spain's working population.

La proteccion radiologica en la industria nuclear espanola durante el franquismo, 1939-1975 / Radiological protection in the Spanish nuclear industry under Franco, 1939-1975

En los debates sobre la controversia nuclear pocas veces se presenta en primera plana la cuestión de la seguridad laboral en las instalaciones radiactivas, históricamente relegada a un segundo plano frente a la atención a los potenciales daños a la población general. Con objeto de cubrir parcialmente ese vacío historiográfico, este trabajo se acerca al desarrollo de la protección radiológica laboral en España durante la dictadura del general Franco (1939-1975). Para ello, se repasa el surgimiento de las medidas de protección radiológica en el ámbito internacional y el posterior desarrollo legislativo en el caso español, proceso paralelo al crecimiento del programa nuclear nacional. Finalmente, son exploradas las principales evidencias del impacto de las radiaciones ionizantes sobre la población laboral española.

In debates about nuclear controversy, the issue of occupational safety in radioactive facilities is rarely foregrounded; it has historically been relegated to second place compared to the attention given to potential harm to the general population. Aiming for, at least, partially filling this historiographical gap, this article deals with the development of occupational radiological protection in Spain under the dictatorship of General Franco (1939-1975). It covers the rise of radiological protection measures on an international level and the subsequent development of legislation in the case of Spain, a process that paralleled the growth of the nation's nuclear program. Finally, it explores the main evidence of the impact of ionizing radiation on Spain's working population.