News
National Academy Review of the Occupational Energy Research
Program January 3, 2007
A committee of the National Academies, led by the Nuclear and Radiation
Studies Board (NRSB) has recently completed its review of the Worker and
Public Health Activities Program sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE)
and conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Its
final report “Review of the Worker and Public Health Activities Program
Administered by the Department of Energy and the Department of Health and
Human Services” was made available on January, 3rd, 2007. The report
is available at the National Academies Press web site (http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11805.html).
The NIOSH component of the program conducts health and exposure studies of
nuclear workers employed at DOE facilities. The Committee concluded that the
NIOSH program is scientifically sound and has developed useful research
methodologies. The committee also concluded that the program has contributed
and will continue to contribute in several major areas: < ul>
- assisting the DOE in providing employees with the “best possible
information about health effects resulting from their
employment”;
- contributing directly to scientific knowledge regarding radiation
exposures that is relevant to radiation protection of nuclear
workforces;
- strengthening the scientific foundations for defining acceptable levels
of passive, non-occupational radiation exposure of the general
population.
The Committee made several recommendations for improving the NIOSH program
and enhancing communications to workers and the public. NIOSH is carefully
reviewing these recommendations during its strategic planning. Questions and
suggestions related to the review or the research program can be answered by
calling 1-800-CDC-INFO (1800-232-4636).
Meeting
Public Meeting Highlights Outreach on Occupational Energy Research
Program
On October 27, 2005, NIOSH held a public meeting to discuss the
program’s background, accomplishments to date, ongoing research, and
potential future directions. Under the program, NIOSH and its extramural
partners have completed 54 research projects, published 88 peer-reviewed
articles, and compiled a rich data base of health and exposure information
for more than 300,000 workers at 15 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear
weapons sites in 13 states. The program began in 1990 under a memorandum of
understanding with DOE, to address the question of whether potential
work-related exposures at DOE sites were associated with risks for cancer or
other illnesses. The presentations, transcripts, and written stakeholder
comments from the meeting are available below.
“Thanks to the efforts of the past 15 years, scientists no longer
are working from a virtually blank slate to address questions of potential
health effects from low levels of work-related radiation,” said NIOSH
Director John Howard, M.D. “Many directions for strategic research
present themselves, and priorities must be set so that the research dollar is
spent as wisely as possible. Transparency and outreach are critical parts of
that process.”
NIOSH is seeking ideas from its stakeholders for future research related
to the program. Questions and suggestions related to the research program can
be answered by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO (1800-232-4636). NIOSH will hold
periodic future public meetings like the one on October 27, dates to be
determined.
Presentations from the Oct. 27 Meeting
Oct. 27 Meeting Transcripts and Public Comments:
Other Resources
Office of Compensation Analysis and Support (OCAS)
The NIOSH Office of Compensation Analysis and Support (OCAS) conducts activities
to assist claimants and support the role of the Secretary of Health and Human
Services under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
Act of 2000 (The Act).
|
