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Background: The Department of Energy Office
of Health and Safety funds studies of the Japanese atomic
bomb survivors at the
Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The RERF program is believed
to have the longest history of any ongoing international
research program. DOE and its predecessor agencies have
provided support since 1947. The Atomic Bomb Casualty
Commission (ABCC) initiated studies on the effects of
radiation exposure in survivors of the atomic bombings
in Hiroshima and Nagasaki within two years of the bombings.
In 1975, RERF was established under Japanese law as
full successor to the ABCC and was designated to continue
the research. The Act of Endowment states that the objective
of the RERF is "to conduct research and studies, for
peaceful purposes, on medical effects of radiation on
man and on diseases which may be affected by radiation,
with a view to contributing to the maintenance of the
health and welfare of atomic bomb survivors and to the
enhancement of the health of all mankind." The Japanese
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and the
DOE Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) co-fund
the RERF program.
The Life Span Study is the major RERF epidemiologic study
that generates data on cancer incidence, cancer mortality,
and non-cancer effects in relation to radiation dose.
The RERF research program also includes in-utero, genetic,
mechanistic, and clinical (Adult Health Studies) studies,
as well as, follow-up studies on the children of the survivors
(F1 studies). Details on research progress can be found
on the RERF website: http://www.rerf.or.jp
The results of RERF research are the primary basis for
radiation protection standards throughout the world. The
radiation risk estimates rely on an accurate dosimetry
system. The dosimetry system DS02 was put in place in
2003 and a major compendium of papers defining the system
has been published
in February 2006.
Accomplishments:
- Collaboration between DOE and MHLW has resulted
in progress on a number of issues related to the funding
and management of the RERF.
- A series of 5-year agreements between MHLW and
DOE has led to stable funding for RERF and increased
accountability. The latest 5-year agreement was
signed on November 7, 2005.
- DOE and MHLW developed a plan for completion
of needed atomic
bomb dosimetry studies, including timeline,
research tasks, and funding responsibilities.
- DOE and MHLW supported the Blue Ribbon Panel Report
of 1996 Blue
Ribbon Panel Report and promoted the highest
standards of independent peer review of the RERF
scientific projects through the Science Council
and other appropriate mechanisms.
- DOE and MHLW agreed to support another senior
panel to review the scientific progress and plans
of RERF and make recommendations concerning the
future of RERF. The Senior Review Panel report will
be issued in 2008.
- A new cooperative agreement between the National
Academy of Sciences' Nuclear and Radiation Studies
Board and DOE has been established in FY06, with
the current focus of hiring Americans researchers
in the fields of statistics and epidemiology to work
at RERF.
- Facilitation has resulted in increased collaboration
between RERF and U.S. institutions in various focus
areas: University of Washington in epidemiology/statistics,
University of Tennessee College of Nursing in homeland
security studies, and the Radiation
Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS)
in cytogenetic biodosimetry.
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