News Archive

Wayne Glines, Health Physics News Contributing Editor

The National Academies is seeking suggestions for experts to participate in a feasibility assessment of a congressionally requested study examining the health effects of veterans exposed to radioactive and other waste related to the Manhattan Project (1942–1947). The assessment will identify and delineate the process for assessing available records. To the extent that records or data dictionaries for these records are available, the committee will characterize the information they contain as well as their quality and completeness related to the specified locations, types of exposures, and health outcomes (including cause of death) to determine whether a full epidemiologic study can be conducted. No data will be collected or analyzed as part of this feasibility study. The scope of this project is restricted to only looking at health effects experienced by veterans who were potentially exposed to Manhattan Project related wastes. Effects on the environment or health effects of nonveteran populations, such as descendants or civilians, are outside the focus of the statement of task.

Staff are looking to assemble a committee of approximately 10 volunteer experts with expertise particularly in the following areas:

• Radiation and Cancer Epidemiology
• Occupational Health – Radiation Exposure and/or Risk Assessment
• Health or Medical Physics
• Dose Reconstruction
• Radiation Risk Communication and Engagement
• Biostatistics

Nominations are due by 22 September 2023, 12 am ET. For more information, please visit the project page.