Program History
Russian Health Studies Program
History of the ProgramU.S./Russian cooperation was initiated in 1994 under a bi-national agreement. The
work is conducted under the management of the
Joint Coordinating Committee for Radiation Effects Research (JCCRER), of which DOE is the lead U.S. agency and the Federal Medical
Biological Agency (FMBA) is the lead Russian agency.
The bulk of the joint scientific work is
conducted in Russia, with the U.S. researchers supplementing
expertise available in Russia. DOE funds the U.S. and Russian
scientific teams. The first several years involved building
infrastructure in Russia (computers, telephones, fax machines,
and internet connections) and linking eminent U.S. and Russian
researchers. Over the last 11 years, the rate of progress has
rapidly increased with greater focus on the research. Much of
the radiation dose reconstruction work is unique and of very
high quality. The peer-reviewed publication record is excellent
and growing. From 1994 through 2011, 242 scientific articles
have been published in peer-reviewed journals. The science is
recognized worldwide for its critical contribution to radiation
research.
Where is the research conducted?
Since 1994, all radiation effects research
activities have focused on Mayak workers and individuals in
surrounding communities. Mayak began operations in 1948. At
various times, Mayak accidentally or intentionally released
large quantities of radioactive materials into the environment
from its seven uranium-graphite production reactors and its
radiochemical processing plant. These releases resulted in
significant exposures of ionizing radiation for protracted
periods of time to workers and people living along the Techa
River downstream from the complex. It is estimated that several
workers accumulated occupational radiation doses of over 5 Gray
(Gy) at rates averaging about 1 Gy per year. Radioactive discharges
to the Techa River of approximately 3 million Curies contaminated
the river for over 250 km (about 156 miles) downstream and irradiated
nearly 124,000 people living along its banks.
Approximately 15 U.S. scientists work with over 150
Russian scientists and technical personnel at Mayak, the Southern
Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), and the Urals Research Center for
Radiation Medicine (URCRM). The Program's budget for Fiscal Year 2012
was $2.75 million.
Contact Information:
Program Manager: Barrett
N. Fountos, (301) 903-6740
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