Savannah River Site Health Effects Subcommittee (SRSHES) Meeting

Final Meeting Minutes
June 06, 2002

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Dr. Bustos emphasized the need for the members to be fully informed about the agencies’ expectations of SRSHES. This feedback will be particularly important for the Epidemiologic Data and Scenario Workgroups. To conduct workgroup activities, he conveyed that members should be prepared to discuss issues and pose questions related to presentations and other information provided by the agencies. In addition to clarifying the mission of each workgroup, Ms. Kato remarked that specific products should be defined as well. This information can assist in publicizing workgroup activities to the entire SRSHES and broader community.

Mr. Green mentioned that workgroups are tools for members to present items to SRSHES for consideration and action. He announced that the proposed draft charter for Health Effects Subcommittees (HESs) has not yet been approved by ATSDR, NCEH and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). However, the draft is not substantially different from the current charter. He committed to distributing the document to the members immediately after the draft is cleared for release to HESs. Mr. Green added that the current SRSHES charter expires on July 7, 2002.

Dr. Umansky agreed with comments by Dr. Bustos and Mr. Green, respectively. First, the Epidemiologic Data Workgroup needs clear guidance in terms of the usefulness and effectiveness of data being gathered by the members. Second, the collective SRSHES is chartered to provide advice to ATSDR and CDC. As a result, SRSHES activities should not be conducted by individual workgroups. No members voiced opposition to SRSHES rather than individual workgroups continuing to serve as the official outreach mechanism to the public. Dr. Bustos explained the purpose of some workgroups as set forth below, but he encouraged the members to submit statements to further refine these functions. The definitions and workgroup assignments are as follows:

• Agenda Workgroup. Dr. Bustos as chair; Mr. Banick, Dr. Umansky and Mr. Wills as members. The workgroup holds conference calls to review and prioritize future agenda items proposed by SRSHES during meetings.
  
  
• Community Summary Workgroup. Dr. Bustos as chair; Ms. Drye, Mr. Lockridge and Dr. Umansky as members. The workgroup will disband after SRSHES approves the final Phase II community summary.
  
  
• Epidemiologic Data Workgroup. Dr. Umansky as chair; Mr. Devitt, Ms. Drye, Ms. Guess, Ms. Kato and Mr. Lockridge as members. The workgroup receives technical assistance from and closely collaborates with CDC to appropriately collect and review epidemiologic data.
  
  
• Membership Workgroup. Mr. Waters as chair; Dr. Adams, Mr. Devitt, Ms. Drye and Ms. Guess as members. The workgroup reviews the qualifications and credentials of applicants and makes recommendations to SRSHES on persons who should be considered for nomination.
  
  
• Outreach Workgroup. Dr. Adams, Mr. Banick, Dr. Dawson, Dr. Crawford, Ms. Kato and Dr. Wilson to serve as members; no chair was selected.
  
  
• Proactive Workgroup. Dr. Lee, Mr. Hills and Mr. Waters to serve as members; no chair was selected.
  
  
• Scenario Workgroup. Mr. Lockridge as chair; Mr. Devitt, Ms. Still and Mr. Waters as members. The workgroup receives technical assistance from and closely collaborates with CDC to address exposures to a variety of individuals in different situations around SRS

Dr. Bustos recessed the meeting for a break from 10:00-10:28 a.m.