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Tolmachev SY, Avtandilashvili M. Long-term retention and distribution of highly enriched uranium in an occupationally exposed female. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2024; 63:109-123. [PMID: 38197921 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries' (USTUR) female whole body tissue donor studied here was occupationally exposed to highly enriched uranium for 17 years. One hundred and twenty-nine tissue samples were collected at the time of death, 31 years post-exposure. These samples were radiochemically analyzed for uranium. The highest uranium concentration of 16.5 ± 2.0 µg kg-1 was measured in the lungs, and the lowest concentration of 0.11 ± 0.01 µg kg-1 in the liver. The thyroid had the highest concentration of 6.3 ± 2.9 µg kg-1 among systemic tissues. Mass-weighted average concentration in the entire skeleton was estimated to be 1.60 ± 0.19 µg kg-1. In the skeleton, uranium was non-uniformly distributed among different bones. Thirty-one years after the intake, approximately 40% of occupational uranium was still retained in the skeleton, followed by the kidneys (~ 30%), and the brain and liver (~ 10%). Systemic uranium was equally distributed between the skeleton and soft tissues. Uranium content in systemic organs followed the pattern: skeleton > > brain ≈ kidneys > heart ≈ liver > thyroid ≈ spleen. Uranium distribution in this female was compared to previously published USTUR data for male tissue donors. It is concluded that no difference in uranium systemic distribution was observed between female and male individuals. It is demonstrated that dose assessment based on the current ICRP biokinetic model overestimated the dose to the brain by 20%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Y Tolmachev
- United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, 1845 Terminal Drive, Suite 201, Richland, WA, 99354-4959, USA.
| | - Maia Avtandilashvili
- United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, 1845 Terminal Drive, Suite 201, Richland, WA, 99354-4959, USA
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Moseeva MB, Azizova TV, Bannikova MV. Risk of central nervous system tumour incidence in a cohort of workers chronically exposed to ionising radiation. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2024; 63:17-26. [PMID: 38212569 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01054-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of primary central nervous system (CNS) tumour incidence in a cohort of 22,377 Mayak Production Association workers chronically exposed to ionising radiation. There were 96 primary CNS tumours, including 42 cases of glioma and 44 cases of meningioma, registered during the whole follow-up period (1948-2018). The study demonstrated that the risk of primary CNS tumour incidence was associated with sex, attained age, calendar period, tall body height, age at the beginning of exposure, and facility type. There was no association found between risk of CNS tumour incidence and body mass index, smoking (males) and alcohol consumption status. The study did not find an effect of the total external gamma radiation dose absorbed in the brain on risk of CNS tumour incidence irrespective of whether an adjustment for the total external neutron dose absorbed in the brain was included or not. Excess relative risk per 1 Gy of external gamma brain dose was 0.05 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.30; 0.70) for all CNS tumours, -0.18 (95% CI -; 0.44) for gliomas, and 0.38 (95% CI -0.32; 2.08) for meningiomas without adjustment for total neutron brain dose. There was no effect modification by sex, attained age, age at hire or facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria B Moseeva
- Clinical Department, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | - Tamara V Azizova
- Clinical Department, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia.
| | - Maria V Bannikova
- Clinical Department, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
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Wang Y, Liu J, Shi J, Zhou X, Tan Y, Dai Z, Zhen D, Li L. Colorimetric sensing for the sensitive detection of UO 22+via the phosphorylation functionalized mesoporous silica-based controlled release system. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:837-845. [PMID: 38230997 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01281f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we developed a simple and sensitive colorimetric sensing method for the detection of UO22+, which was built to release MB from the molybdenum disulfide with a phosphate group (MoS2-PO4) gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized phosphate group (MSN-PO4) with UO22+ chelating. In the presence of UO22+, MoS2-PO4 can be effectively adsorbed onto the surface of MSN-PO4 based on the coordination chemistry for strong affinity between the P-O bond and UO22+. The adsorbed MoS2-PO4 was then utilized as an ideal gate material to control the release of signal molecules (MB) entrapped within the pores of MSN-PO4, resulting in a detectable decrease in the absorption peak at 663 nm. This colorimetric sensing demonstrated the advantages of simplicity and easy manipulation and exhibited a linear response to the concentration of UO22+ within the range of 0.02-0.2 μM. The detection limit of UO22+ was determined to be 0.85 nM, which was lower than the limit (130 nmol L-1) set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Furthermore, the proposed colorimetric sensing method has been utilized to determine UO22+ in samples of Xiangjiang River and tap water, and a high recovery rate was achieved. This method shows promising potential in preventing and controlling environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Wang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Jinquan Liu
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Jiao Shi
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Xiayu Zhou
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Tan
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Zhongran Dai
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Green Development Technology for Extremely Low-Grade Uranium Resources, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Deshuai Zhen
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Le Li
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Health Hazard Factors Inspection and Quarantine, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
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Lopes J, Baudin C, Leuraud K, Klokov D, Bernier MO. Ionizing radiation exposure during adulthood and risk of developing central nervous system tumors: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16209. [PMID: 36171442 PMCID: PMC9519546 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20462-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies on ionizing radiation (IR) exposure during childhood have shown deleterious effects on the central nervous system (CNS), however results regarding adult exposure are inconsistent, and no systematic reviews have been performed. The objectives are to synthesize the findings and draw evidence-based conclusions from epidemiological studies on the risk of benign and malignant brain and CNS tumors in humans exposed to low-to-moderate doses (< 0.5 Gy) of IR during adulthood/young adulthood. A systematic literature search of four electronic databases, supplemented by a hand search, was performed to retrieve relevant epidemiological studies published from 2000 to 2022. Pooled excess relative risk (ERRpooled) was estimated using a random effect model. Eighteen publications were included in the systematic review and twelve out of them were included in a meta-analysis. The following IR sources were considered: atomic bombs, occupational, and environmental exposures. No significant dose-risk association was found for brain/CNS tumors (ERRpooled at 100 mGy = - 0.01; 95% CI: - 0.05, 0.04). Our systematic review and meta-analysis did not show any association between exposure to low-to-moderate doses of IR and risk of CNS tumors. Further studies with histological information and precise dose assessment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lopes
- Laboratory of Epidemiology (LEPID) - Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), 92262, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Clémence Baudin
- Laboratory of Epidemiology (LEPID) - Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), 92262, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Klervi Leuraud
- Laboratory of Epidemiology (LEPID) - Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), 92262, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Dmitry Klokov
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Radiotoxicology (LRTOX) - Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), 92262, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Marie-Odile Bernier
- Laboratory of Epidemiology (LEPID) - Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), 92262, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Arbova DL, Tolmachev SY, Brockman JD. ICP-MS analysis of actinides in brain tissue of an occupationally exposed individual. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08460-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Leggett RW, Tolmachev SY, Avtandilashvili M, Eckerman KF, Grogan HA, Sgouros G, Woloschak GE, Samuels C, Boice JD. Methods of improving brain dose estimates for internally deposited radionuclides . JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2022; 42:033001. [PMID: 35785774 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac7e02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The US National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) convened Scientific Committee 6-12 (SC 6-12) to examine methods for improving dose estimates for brain tissue for internally deposited radionuclides, with emphasis on alpha emitters. This Memorandum summarises the main findings of SC 6-12 described in the recently published NCRP Commentary No. 31, 'Development of Kinetic and Anatomical Models for Brain Dosimetry for Internally Deposited Radionuclides'. The Commentary examines the extent to which dose estimates for the brain could be improved through increased realism in the biokinetic and dosimetric models currently used in radiation protection and epidemiology. A limitation of most of the current element-specific systemic biokinetic models is the absence of brain as an explicitly identified source region with its unique rate(s) of exchange of the element with blood. The brain is usually included in a large source region calledOtherthat contains all tissues not considered major repositories for the element. In effect, all tissues inOtherare assigned a common set of exchange rates with blood. A limitation of current dosimetric models for internal emitters is that activity in the brain is treated as a well-mixed pool, although more sophisticated models allowing consideration of different activity concentrations in different regions of the brain have been proposed. Case studies for 18 internal emitters indicate that brain dose estimates using current dosimetric models may change substantially (by a factor of 5 or more), or may change only modestly, by addition of a sub-model of the brain in the biokinetic model, with transfer rates based on results of published biokinetic studies and autopsy data for the element of interest. As a starting place for improving brain dose estimates, development of biokinetic models with explicit sub-models of the brain (when sufficient biokinetic data are available) is underway for radionuclides frequently encountered in radiation epidemiology. A longer-term goal is development of coordinated biokinetic and dosimetric models that address the distribution of major radioelements among radiosensitive brain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Leggett
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6038, United States of America
| | | | | | - Keith F Eckerman
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6038, United States of America
| | | | - George Sgouros
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Gayle E Woloschak
- Northwestern University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Caleigh Samuels
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831-6038, United States of America
| | - John D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
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Boice JD, Bouville A, Dauer LT, Golden AP, Wakeford R. Introduction to the special issue on the US Million Person Study of health effects from low-level exposure to radiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:529-532. [PMID: 34612764 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1989906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Ashley P Golden
- ORISE Health Studies, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Golden AP, Milder CM, Ellis ED, Anderson JL, Boice JD, Bertke SJ, Zablotska LB. Cohort profile: four early uranium processing facilities in the US and Canada. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:833-847. [PMID: 33970767 PMCID: PMC10201456 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1917786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pooling of individual-level data for workers involved in uranium refining and processing (excluding enrichment) may provide valuable insights into risks from occupational uranium and external ionizing radiation exposures. METHODS Data were pooled for workers from four uranium processing facilities (Fernald, Mallinckrodt and Middlesex from the U.S.; and Port Hope, Canada). Employment began as early as the 1930s and follow-up was as late as 2017. Workers were exposed to high concentrations of uranium, radium, and their decay products, as well as gamma radiation and ambient radon decay products. Exposure and outcome data were harmonized using similar definitions and dose reconstruction methods. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were estimated. RESULTS In total, 560 deaths from lung cancer, 503 non-malignant respiratory diseases, 67 renal diseases, 1,596 ischemic heart diseases, and 101 dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) were detected in the pooled cohort of over 12,400 workers (∼1,300 females). Mean cumulative doses were 45 millisievert for whole-body external ionizing radiation exposure and 172 milligray for lung dose from radon decay products. Only SMR for dementia and AD among males was statistically significant (SMR=1.29; 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.54). CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study to date to examine long-term health risks of uranium processing workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley P. Golden
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Health Studies Program, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Cato M. Milder
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Elizabeth D. Ellis
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Health Studies Program, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Jeri L. Anderson
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Field Studies and Engineering, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - John D. Boice
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Stephen J. Bertke
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Field Studies and Engineering, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lydia B. Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
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Martinez NE, Jokisch DW, Dauer LT, Eckerman KF, Goans RE, Brockman JD, Tolmachev SY, Avtandilashvili M, Mumma MT, Boice JD, Leggett RW. Radium dial workers: back to the future. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:750-768. [PMID: 33900890 PMCID: PMC10563809 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1917785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This paper reviews the history of the radium dial workers in the United States, summarizes the scientific progress made since the last evaluation in the early 1990s, and discusses current progress in updating the epidemiologic cohort and applying new dosimetric models for radiation risk assessment. BACKGROUND The discoveries of radiation and radioactivity led quickly to medical and commercial applications at the turn of the 20th century, including the development of radioluminescent paint, made by combining radium with phosphorescent material and adhesive. Workers involved with the painting of dials and instruments included painters, handlers, ancillary workers, and chemists who fabricated the paint. Dial painters were primarily women and, prior to the mid to late 1920s, would use their lips to give the brush a fine point, resulting in high intakes of radium. The tragic experience of the dial painters had a significant impact on industrial safety standards, including protection measures taken during the Manhattan Project. The dial workers study has formed the basis for radiation protection standards for intakes of radionuclides by workers and the public. EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACH The mortality experience of 3,276 radium dial painters and handlers employed between 1913 and 1949 is being determined through 2019. The last epidemiologic follow-up was 30 years ago when most of these workers were still alive. Nearly 65% were born before 1920, 37.5% were teenagers when first hired, and nearly 50% were hired before 1930 when the habit of placing brushes in mouths essentially stopped. Comprehensive dose reconstruction techniques are being applied to estimate organ doses for each worker related to the intake of 226Ra, 228Ra, and associated photon exposures. Time dependent dose-response analyses will estimate lifetime risks for specific causes of death. DISCUSSION The study of radium dial workers is part of the Million Person Study of low-dose health effects that is designed to evaluate radiation risks among healthy American workers and veterans. Despite being one of the most important and influential radiation effects studies ever conducted, shifting programmatic responsibilities and declining funding led to the termination of the radium program of studies in the early 1990s. Renewed interest and opportunity have arisen. With scientific progress made in dosimetric methodology and models, the ability to perform a study over the entire life span, and the potential applicability to other scenarios such as medicine, environmental contamination and space exploration, the radium dial workers have once again come to the forefront.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E. Martinez
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Derek W. Jokisch
- Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
- Department of Physics and Engineering, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC, USA
| | - Lawrence T. Dauer
- Department of Medical Physics and Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Keith F. Eckerman
- Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | - John D. Brockman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Sergey Y. Tolmachev
- United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Maia Avtandilashvili
- United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Michael T. Mumma
- International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John D. Boice
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard W. Leggett
- Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Division of Epidemiology Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE The study of low dose and low-dose rate exposure is of immeasurable value in understanding the possible range of health effects from prolonged exposures to radiation. The Million Person Study (MPS) of low-dose health effects was designed to evaluate radiation risks among healthy American workers and veterans who are more representative of today's populations than are the Japanese atomic bomb survivors exposed briefly to high-dose radiation in 1945. A million persons were needed for statistical reasons to evaluate low-dose and dose-rate effects, rare cancers, intakes of radioactive elements, and differences in risks between women and men. METHODS AND MATERIALS The MPS consists of five categories of workers and veterans exposed to radiation from 1939 to the present. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Health and Mortality study began over 40 years ago and is the source of ∼360,000 workers. Over 25 years ago, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) collaborated with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to effectively create a cohort of nuclear power plant workers (∼150,000) and industrial radiographers (∼130,000). For over 30 years, the Department of Defense (DoD) collected data on aboveground nuclear weapons test participants (∼115,000). At the request of NCI in 1978, Landauer, Inc., (Glenwood, IL) saved their dosimetry databases which became the source of a cohort of ∼250,000 medical and other workers. RESULTS Overall, 29 individual cohorts comprise the MPS of which 21 have been or are under active study (∼810,000 persons). The remaining eight cohorts (∼190,000 persons) will be studied as resources become available. The MPS is a national effort with critical support from the NRC, DOE, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), DoD, NCI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Landauer, Inc., and national laboratories. CONCLUSIONS The MPS is designed to address the major unanswered question in radiation risk understanding: What is the level of health effects when exposure is gradual over time and not delivered briefly. The MPS will provide scientific understandings of prolonged exposure which will improve guidelines to protect workers and the public; improve compensation schemes for workers, veterans and the public; provide guidance for policy and decision makers; and provide evidence for or against the continued use of the linear nonthreshold dose-response model in radiation protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Boice
- a National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements , Bethesda , MD , USA.,b Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology , Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center , Nashville , TN , USA
| | | | - Michael T Mumma
- d International Epidemiology Institute , Rockville , MD , USA
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