Japanese A-Bomb Survivor Studies

The Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission was established in 1946 to investigate the effects of radiation exposure in survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In April 1975, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) was established as full successor to the original Commission and was designated to continue the research according to an agreement between the Governments of the United States and Japan. The Act of Endowment states that the objective of the Foundation is "to conduct research and studies, for peaceful purposes, on the 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 DOE is committed to the support of the RERF as long as valuable health effects informaiton is to be gained by further follow-up of the survivors (see Blue Ribbon Panel Report on RERF). Through cooperative agreement with DOE, the Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board of The National Academies supports RERF activities.