PNNL

Abstract

The combined dosimetric and epidemiologic study of the Extended Techa River Cohort (ETRC) is deemed important, as this cohort is one of a very few that can be studied to examine the question of whether there is a dose rate- reduction factor in the induction of stochastic effects by radiation. This question represents a central issue in radiation protection of workers and the public. The overall scientific hypothesis to be tested by the combined dosimetric and epidemiologic study of the ETRC is whether radiation dose delivered at low dose rates is equally as effective (in causing cancer and other stochastic effects) as the same dose delivered at high dose rates. Russian and United States scientists have been involved in collaborative research programs under the sponsorship of the U.S.-Russian Joint Coordinating Committee on Radiation Effects Research (JCCRER) since 1995. JCCRER Project 1.1 was a comprehensive program to develop improvements in the dosimetry system for the population exposed as a result of the releases of the Mayak Production Association (Mayak PA) by providing more in-depth analysis of existing data, further search of existing records for useful data, model development and testing, evaluation of uncertainties, verification of procedures, and validation studies. The project was extended in 2000 with the additional aims of further study of uncertainty of the doses with the goal of reducing uncertainty in the final dose estimates, and validation of the dose estimates, particularly the revised estimates of external dose. Russian and European scientists are also collaborating in this area. Current work is supported by the EC-Framework Programme ?Research and Training Programme in the Field of Nuclear Energy.? The partners include the Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine (URCRM) and the GSF - National Research Center for Environment and Health. The purpose is to support companion epidemiologic studies of radiogenic leukemia and solid cancers.