Exposure Of The American Population To Radioactive Fallout From Nuclear Weapons Tests

This report is a review of the draft feasibility study that was issued at the request of Congress by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Over 500 atmospheric nuclear-weapons tests were conducted at various sites around the world during 1945-1980. As public awareness and concern mounted over the possible health hazards associated with exposure to the fallout from weapons testing, a feasibility study was initiated by CDC and NCI to assess the extent of the hazard. The CDC-NCI study claims that the fallout might have led to approximately 11,000 excess deaths, most caused by thyroid cancer linked to exposure to iodine-131. The committee noted that CDC and NCI used the best available data to estimate exposure and health hazards. The committee does not recommend an expanded study of exposure to radionuclides other than 131I since radiation doses from those radionuclides were much lower than those from 131I. It also recommended that CDC urge Congress to prohibit the destruction of all remaining records relevant to fallout.

In 1997, after more than a decade of research, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) released a report which provided their assessment of radiation exposures that Americans may have received from radioactive iodine released from the atomic bomb tests conducted in Nevada during the 1950s and early 1960s. This book provides an evaluation of the soundness of the methodology used by the NCI study to estimate: Past radiation doses. Possible health consequences of exposure to iodine-131. Implications for clinical practice. Possible public health strategiesâ€"such as systematic screening for thyroid cancerâ€"to respond to the exposures. In addition, the book provides an evaluation of the NCI estimates of the number of thyroid cancers that might result from the nuclear testing program and provides guidance on approaches the U.S. government might use to communicate with the public about Iodine-131 exposures and health risks.

Focuses on impact of Soviet nuclear tests on levels of radioactive contamination in U.S. Includes numerous scientific papers analyzing type, distribution, and concentration levels of radioactivity attributable to fallout from weapon testing.

Focuses on impact of Soviet nuclear tests on levels of radioactive contamination in U.S. Includes numerous scientific papers analyzing type, distribution, and concentration levels of radioactivity attributable to fallout from weapon testing; v.2: Continuation of hearings on public health impact of radiation fallout due to nuclear weapons tests programs. v.3: Contains supplemental submitted materials on the problems of hotspots and short-lived isotopes of radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons tests.

Focuses on impact of Soviet nuclear tests on levels of radioactive contamination in U.S. Includes numerous scientific papers analyzing type, distribution, and concentration levels of radioactivity attributable to fallout from weapon testing; v.2: Continuation of hearings on public health impact of radiation fallout due to nuclear weapons tests programs. v.3: Contains supplemental submitted materials on the problems of hotspots and short-lived isotopes of radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons tests.

In 1997, after more than a decade of research, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) released a report which provided their assessment of radiation exposures that Americans may have received from radioactive iodine released from the atomic bomb tests conducted in Nevada during the 1950s and early 1960s. This book provides an evaluation of the soundness of the methodology used by the NCI study to estimate: Past radiation doses. Possible health consequences of exposure to iodine-131. Implications for clinical practice. Possible public health strategies--such as systematic screening for thyroid cancer--to respond to the exposures. In addition, the book provides an evaluation of the NCI estimates of the number of thyroid cancers that might result from the nuclear testing program and provides guidance on approaches the U.S. government might use to communicate with the public about Iodine-131 exposures and health risks.