Savannah River Site Health Effects Subcommittee (SRSHES) Meeting

Final Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2002

Back to Table of Contents

For both past and current health-related research, the Epidemiologic Data Workgroup would take the lead. For both tasks, a list of published studies by NCEH, ATSDR, NIOSH, DOE, universities and other groups would be compiled. The Outreach Workgroup would then design fact sheets for the public or other constituents. For previous studies, researchers and other experts would present data to SRSHES for clarification when needed and findings would be summarized. For ongoing research, principal investigators would be asked to provide a current status of studies and SRSHES would provide input to CDC and researchers. For future health-related research, the full SRSHES would make recommendations to CDC about future research needs based on outcomes of the previous tasks.

For continuing education to SRSHES, the Agenda Workgroup would take the lead. Presentations would be made and readings would be assigned. For public education, the Outreach and Phase II Community Summary Workgroups would take the lead. Information about SRSHES would be issued through press releases, the web site and other outreach mechanisms. Proactive relationships would be developed with the CAB and other groups chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The full SRSHES would be involved with activities to strengthen its function and improve interaction with the agencies. Appropriate recommendations from the evaluation report would be implemented; milestones would be developed and prioritized; and a time-line would be created for the long-range plan.

Mr. Curtis Graves, the Workgroup Chair, asked SRSHES to submit comments on the initial outline to Ms. James as soon as possible. Efforts will be made to revise the document based on this input and present the first draft at the next meeting. After CDC approves the final version, the document will serve as the SRSHES plan for the next four to five years. Although the workgroup described the initial outline as an extremely rough draft, Mr. Renard was impressed with the level of detail and thought in developing the document. He advised the workgroup to include previous dose reconstruction activities rather than focus solely on Phase III.

In response to Mr. Lockridge, he confirmed that the draft is consistent with the FACA charter and CDC’s perspective of SRSHES roles and responsibilities. Mr. Lockridge was pleased this effort was undertaken because the long-range plan will provide SRSHES with a clear direction and purpose. Dr. Bustos suggested that a time line and the process for SRSHES to reach consensus be included in the next version of the document. Dr. McClain clarified that the workgroup, SRSHES Chair and DFO will need to jointly prioritize the items and develop a time line.