CIS/Index
Copyright © 2000, Congressional Information
Service, Inc.
1 CIS H 70124
TITLE: Reexamining
the Scientific Basis for the Linear No-Threshold Model of Low-Dose Radiation
CIS-NO: 2001-H701-24
SOURCE: Committee on Science. House
DOC-TYPE: Hearing Retrieve
the full text of testimony
DATE: July 18, 2000
LENGTH:
viii+1417 p. il.
CONG-SESS: 106-2
ITEM-NO: 1025-A-01;
1025-A-02
SUDOC: Y4.SCI2:106-98
GPO-STOCK-NO:
552-070-26834-1.
SUMMARY:
Committee Serial No.
106-98. Hearing before the Subcom on Energy and Environment to assess the
scientific validity of various radiation health effects research models,
including the linear no-threshold (LNT) model for low-dose radiation, in which
scientists assume that even very small dosages of radiation exposure carry a
cancer risk which doubles as the exposure doubles.
Also examines
challenges to effective Federal radiation standards policy development,
including problems resulting from EPA and NRC failure to agree on radiation
standards involving groundwater at nuclear waste repositories.
Supplementary material (p. 141-1417) includes witnesses' written replies to
Subcom questions, submitted statements, correspondence, reports, articles, and:
a. American Nuclear Society, "Health Effects of Low-Level
Radiation" position statement, Apr. 1999, with bibliography (p. 267-280).
b. GAO, "Radiation Standards: Scientific Basis
Inconclusive, and EPA and NRC Disagreement Continues" report prepared for
Senator Pete Domenici, June 2000 (p. 290-351).
c. Setlow,
Richard B. (et al.), "Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing
Radiations: Time for Reassessment?" National Research Council report, 1998, with
tables, graphs, and bibliography (p. 417-502).
d. UN,
"Report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic
Radiation to the General Assembly" excerpt from Sources and Effects of Ionizing
Radiation, 2000, with tables (p. 512-535).
e. Ullrich,
Robert (et al.), "Research Program Plan: Biological Effects of Low Dose and Dose
Rate Radiation" Biological and Environmental Research Advisory Committee Low
Dose Radiation Research Program Plan Subcommittee report, prepared for DOE
Office of Biological and Environmental Research, with bibliography (p. 541-580).
f. EPA, "Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for
Yucca Mountain, Nevada" proposed rule, Federal Register, Aug.
27, 1999 (p. 615-656).
g. NRC, "Disposal of High-Level
Radioactive Wastes in a Proposed Geological Repository at Yucca
Mountain, Nevada" proposed rule, Federal Register, Feb. 22, 1999 (p.
688-728).
h. Fri, Robert W. (et al.), "Technical Bases for
Yucca Mountain Standards" National Research Council report,
1995, with glossary and bibliography (p. 735-946).
i.
Biology and epidemiology references submitted to the National Research Council
Commission on Life Sciences Board on Radiation Effects Research, 1997,
bibliography (p. 965-1067).
j. American Nuclear Society,
"ANS Sessions on Low Level Radiation Health Effects: 1994-1999" Committee on
Low-Level Radiation Health Effects summaries of papers and presentations (p.
1068-1087).
k. Muckerheide, James (et al., Radiation,
Science, and Health, Inc), "Low Level Radiation Health Effects: Compiling the
Data" Mar. 30, 2000, with tables, graphs, and bibliography (p. 1088-1234).
l. EPA, "Issues Paper on Radiation Site Cleanup
Regulations" Office of Radiation and Indoor Air report, Sept. 1993, with charts
and glossary (p. 1239-1305).
m. Eckerman, Keith F. (et
al., Oak Ridge Natl Lab), "Cancer Risk Coefficients for Environmental Exposure
to Radionuclides" Federal Guidance Report, prepared for EPA Office of Radiation
and Indoor Air, Sept. 1999 (p. 1306-1333).
n. EPA,
"Response to Comments Received Regarding Federal Guidance Report No. 13 -- Part
1, Interim Version: "Health Risks from Low-Level Environmental Exposure to
Radionuclides', EPA 402-R-97-014 (Jan. 1998), During the Public Comment Period,
Apr. 13, 1998 Through June 30, 1998" Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
Radiation Protection Division report, Sept. 1999 (p. 1352-1372).
o. NRC, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
director's decision in response to Natural Resources Defense Council petition
regarding Army Corps of Engineers treatment of radioactive materials, Mar. 26,
1999 (p. 1387-1405).
CONTENT-NOTATION: Radiation health
effects research assessment and Fed policy dev issues
DESCRIPTORS:
SUBCOM ON
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT. HOUSE; RADIATION; NUCLEAR REGULATION; MEDICAL
RESEARCH; CANCER; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY; NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION; FEDERAL INTERAGENCY RELATIONS; WATER POLLUTION; STATISTICAL DATA:
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL; BIBLIOGRAPHIES; GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE;
UNITED NATIONS; DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY; PLANNING; BIOLOGY; YUCCA
MOUNTAIN, NEV.; GEOLOGY; NEVADA; GLOSSARIES; ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION;
EPIDEMIOLOGY; INFORMATION SERVICES AND SYSTEMS; STATISTICAL DATA: GOVERNMENT;
OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY; POPULATION; ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
01-H701-24 TESTIMONY NO: 1 July 18, 2000 p. 3-251,
357-416
WITNESSES (and witness notations):
JONES, GARY L. (Associate Director, Energy, Resources, and
Science Issues, Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division, GAO)
ROHWER, PAUL S. (President, Health Physics Society)
MEINHOLD, CHARLES B. (President, National Council on
Radiation Protection)
WING, STEVEN B. (Associate
Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of
North Carolina)
BERKLEY, SHELLEY (Rep, D-Nev)
STATEMENTS AND DISCUSSION:
Evaluation of scientific
methods used for the LNT model for low-dose radiation research; challenges to
radiation standards implementation; overview of epidemiological research to
determine health effects of radiation; analysis of EPA and NRC radiation
standard policy disagreements involving groundwater at nuclear waste
repositories.
Criticism of various research findings
regarding radiation-induced cancer (related bibl, p. 217-219); views on studies
regarding low-level radiation exposure impact on nuclear facility employees
(related bibl, p. 241-243); elaboration on radiation protection standards and
LNT model research (related bibl, p. 243-246).
INSERTIONS:
a. Upton, Arthur (et al., Natl Council on Radiation
Protection), "Evaluation of the Linear Nonthreshold Dose-Response Model" draft
report executive summary, with bibliography (p. 67-76).
b.
Mossman, Kenneth L. (et al.), "Bridging Radiation Policy and Science"
international conference final report, Jan. 31, 2000 (p. 357-384).
c. GAO, "Nuclear Health and Safety: Consensus on
Acceptable Radiation Risk to the Public Is Lacking" Sept. 1994, with tables (p.
385-416).
CONTENT NOTATION:
Radiation
health effects research assessment and Fed policy dev issues
TESTIMONY DESCRIPTORS:
HEALTH PHYSICS SOCIETY; GENERAL
ACCOUNTING OFFICE; EPIDEMIOLOGY; NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY
LOAD-DATE: January 31, 2002 
