Relationship to Other Radiation Research Programs

Russian Health Studies Program

What is the relationship of the Russian Health Studies Program to other radiation health effects programs?

Current radiation protection standards are derived primarily from studies of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors and patients who received medical irradiation therapy. However, exposures to radiation in the Japanese cohort were for a relatively short time and were external. In addition, radiation-related adverse health effects were observed in individuals exposed at doses greater than 100 milli-Sievert (mSv) to 200 mSv (10 to 20 rem). Of note, the current U.S. limit for occupational radiation exposure is 50 mSv (5 rem) per year.

On the other hand, the Russian nuclear weapons production workers at Mayak accumulated larger cumulative dose that the Japanese cohort. Moreover, the Mayak workers had long-term exposures (10 to 30 years) to plutonium, gamma, and neutron radiation. This combination of radiation types over a working lifetime is more representative of doses received by DOE workers. Also available for study are those Russians living near Mayak who received relatively low doses of both internal and external radiation (typically less than 10 mSv (1 rem) per year) over a long period (20 to 30 years). In comparison, DOE and NRC have an annual limit of 1 mSv (0.1 rem) per year for members of the public from radiological activities carried out by these agencies.

Therefore, the Russian Health Studies Program is more relevant to radiation risks experienced by DOE workers and commercial nuclear workers based on the comparability of exposures.

The Russian Health Studies Program Complements the Office of Science Low Dose Radiation Research Program

The Office of Science has funded a major radiation research program investigating the effects of relatively low doses of radiation on various human and non-human tissues. Although there may be significant results emerging from this program, its results will need to be validated in humans, such as those at Mayak and surrounding communities.

What are current unresolved questions in radiation research?

The most crucial issue in radiation research is the determination of the effect on human health of exposures of less than 50 mSv (5 rem) per year. Such exposures are more likely to have been received by DOE workers and surrounding populations. The major reasons to perform studies of workers and people in communities surrounding Russian nuclear weapons production sites is to extend current knowledge of radiation risks at lower doses than that based on Japanese studies and to validate radiation protection standards.

Future Plans:

• Hold a JCCRER Meeting in Russia with participants from both countries; and
• Continue supporting current projects to their successful completion.

Contact Information:
Program Manager: Barrett N. Fountos, (301) 903-6740