Archival records housed at USTUR support radium dial worker dosimetry
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The American radium dial worker (RDW) cohort of over 3200 persons is being revisited as part of the Million Person Study (MPS) to include a modern approach to RDW dosimetry. An exceptional source of data and contextualization in this project is an extensive collection of electronic records (digitized from existing microfilm and microfiche) housed at the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR). Although the type, extent, and quality (e.g. legibility) of record(s) varies between individuals, the remarkable occupational, medical and demographic data include in vivo radiation measurements (e.g. radon breath, whole body counts), autopsy results, medical records (including copies of radiographs), interviews over the years, and correspondence. Of particular dosimetric interest are the details of radiation measurements. For example, there are some instances where hand-written and transcribed values are both available, along with notes providing context for why a particular measurement in a series of measurements was chosen to assign an intake, or if there were concerns about a particular measurement. Born prior to 1935, RDW have nearly all passed away. Thus, the updated dosimetry, especially for the skeletal tissues, will allow the correlation of lifetime cumulative dose with radiation risk. Here we review typical information available in this collection of historical records and highlight some interesting finds. Additionally, we discuss the relevance to current and ongoing work related to updating the dosimetry of the RDW in the MPS, including providing an example of the usefulness of information contained in these records. The RDW cohort provides a unique historical perspective on occupational exposure to radium, making it a valuable dataset for understanding long-term health effects and improving current radiation protection standards.
Institutions: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Clemson University, Francis Marion University, International Epidemiology Institute, Washington State University Tri-Cities, Washington State University, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,165
Awards: G203625172, MANAGE AND OPERATE UNITED STATES TRANSURANIUM AND URANIUM REGISTRIES, MILLION WORKER STUDY, PURPOSE: TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SEX DIFFERENCE EXISTS FOR RADIATIONINDUCED LUNG CANCERS ACROSS ALL AVAILABLE EXPOSED POPULATIONS. TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF TRANSFERRING RISKS FROM ONE EXPOSED POPULATION (E.G. THE JAPANESE ATOMIC BOMB SURVIVORS) TO ANOTHER (I.E. THE ASTRONAUT POPULATION). TO EVALUATE THE OPTIMUM WAYS FOR INCORPORATING THE SEXSPECIFIC LUNG CANCER RISKS INTO THE NASA LIFETIME RISK PROJECTION MODEL. TO PUBLISH AN NCRP COMMENTARY WITH RECOMMENDATION ON THE SEX-SPECIFIC LUNG CANCER RISK COEFFICIENTS TRANSFER MODELS AND LIFETIME CANCER RISK PROJECTIONS., MILLION WORKER STUDY, Cancer Center Support Grant
OpenAlex ID: W4403819387