Over 600,000 people have worked at Department of Energy (DOE) sites since the 1940's. Many of these sites produced nuclear weapons. Through their employment at these sites, DOE workers have been exposed to a variety of chemicals and low-level ionizing radiation. The Health-Related Energy Research Branch (HERB) of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) studies the health risks of DOE workers. This research aims to address fundamental questions on potential health effects which may be associated with employment at the DOE sites. Adverse health effects may be related to radiological, chemical, and physical exposures. This session will report on some of the 35 studies currently being conducted by HERB of DOE workers and their workplaces. Details of studies examining workplace hazards associated with chemicals and radiological agents at DOE sites involving weapons production processes will be provided. Information will be presented on study design improvements such as combining cohorts of workers across the DOE complex to increase statistical power, and improving exposure assessment methods. HERB has a responsibility to communicate research progress and findings with current and former DOE workers, the communities surrounding DOE sites, American Indian Tribes, the Department of Energy, and its contractors. HERB approaches to effective communication of technical scientific information to a diverse audience at multiple DOE study sites (simultaneously) will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Occupational Surveillance, Radiation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.