Low-dose radiation: interagency collaboration on planning research could improve information on health effects. (22nd November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Neumann, John; Cook, Joseph; Chan, Allen
• Is Part Of: Journal of radiological protection. Volume 39:Number 4(2019:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1113
• Page End: 1117
• Publication Date: 2019-11-22
• Subjects: radiation protection requirements and guidance -- linear no-threshold model -- human health effects of ionizing radiation -- low-dose radiation -- federal research funding -- interagency collaboration; Radiation -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Health Physics -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Radiation Protection -- Periodicals; Rayonnement -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resource; Periodical; 363.179905
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab1ada
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-4746

Abstract

Abstract: In September 2017, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on the scientific basis for federal protections against the harmful effects of ionizing radiation—particularly low-dose radiation, or below about 100 millisieverts (10 rem). The report provided examples of how federal agencies developed and applied radiation protection requirements and guidance for workers and the public and examined the extent to which federal agencies funded epidemiological and radiobiological research on the health effects of low-dose radiation and their efforts at coordination of this research. The report found that agencies collaborated on individual projects on radiation's health effects but did not have a mechanism to coordinate research priorities. Consequently, GAO recommended that the Department of Energy (DOE) lead the development of a mechanism for interagency collaboration related to research on the health effects of low-dose radiation.