Savannah River Site Health Effects Subcommittee (SRSHES) Meeting

Final Meeting Minutes
June 06, 2002

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Epidemiologic Data Workgroup.
Dr. Umansky, the workgroup chair, reiterated that the members are awaiting guidance from NCEH in identifying the most useful and effective information to collect for Phase III of the dose-reconstruction project. This input will be necessary before the workgroup engages in more time-consuming efforts to gather additional epidemiologic data and advance the Phase III dose-reconstruction project. Technical assistance from NCEH epidemiologists is also needed to define the workgroup’s future direction in terms of accessing available resources and existing data.

Another area of uncertainty is the workgroup’s role in providing information that will be useful to the population surrounding SRS. For example, the workgroup could collect data to inform these individuals and then forward the information to the Outreach Workgroup. With respect to outstanding action items, Dr. Umansky reported that the workgroup contacted Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) to inquire about its database on adverse health effects related to nuclear facilities. The organization has not responded to the workgroup to date. Mr. Green announced that the NCEH epidemiologist assigned to assist the workgroup has taken another position. He would provide a status report to Dr. Bustos on NCEH’s plans to fill this position.

Ms. Kato inquired whether the workgroup considered her previous suggestion to review epidemiologic data from other sites, particularly locations with the same 12 radionuclides or 22 toxic chemicals as SRS. Dr. Umansky explained that the workgroup’s charge is to only focus on SRS releases, but the possibility exists of expanding to other sites in the future. Before undertaking a broader effort, however, the workgroup will first review non-SRS data previously collected by the agencies and determine whether the information will be useful to the SRS Phase III dose-reconstruction study.

Mr. Devitt pointed out that a strong focus on detailed epidemiologic data may be premature at the current stage of the Phase III dose-reconstruction study. For example, data collected by the workgroup in the future may show that actual exposures are too low to show health effects. As a result, an epidemiologic study would be unnecessary. Dr. Lee agreed the epidemiologic studies may show no cause/effect relationship, but her understanding was that the workgroup was charged with collecting data to educate the SRS population. However, she agreed that resources should not be exhausted in conducting activities for an epidemiologic study that may not be undertaken. Overall, Dr. Lee supported the continuation of the workgroup activities for educational purposes.

Dr. Umansky confirmed that the workgroup’s function is to provide an educational foundation for SRSHES to interpret data provided by other sources. In this effort, the workgroup gathers relevant studies that have been completed on SRS releases and potential impacts to SRS target populations. Dr. Bustos asked the members to weigh in on whether the agencies need to approve efforts by SRSHES to collect epidemiologic data and educate the public. Dr. Lee’s position was that as an advisory group, SRSHES should engage in a dialog with the agencies to ensure ongoing activities are appropriate.

However, Ms. Kato conveyed that the credibility of SRSHES as a source of information to the public could be weakened if data are only reviewed based on direction, guidance or approval from the agencies. She raised the possibility of gathering independent information. Dr. Bustos remarked that the workgroup is only charged with reviewing, evaluating and disseminating existing data. Undertaking efforts beyond this scope would be under the purview of epidemiologists.

Mr. Wills recalled that SRSHES previously discussed the possibility of engaging outside epidemiologists from Georgia and South Carolina to assist the workgroup in collecting data. Ms. Guess agreed that an independent epidemiologist not associated with CDC should be consulted. Mr. Green confirmed that this request will be conveyed to NCEH. Dr. Crawford indicated that an implementation plan should be developed if the workgroup’s function is to internally educate SRSHES members. For example, data collected by the workgroup could be copied and distributed to each member for an independent review or brief courses on the materials could be given during SRSHES meetings.

Agenda Workgroup.
The workgroup did not provide an update, but an outstanding action item was addressed. Since SRSHES is chartered as a community representative to provide advice to the agencies on public concerns, Dr. Crawford inquired about the disposition of previous recommendations. No action was taken on Dr. Lee’s previous suggestion for the workgroup to identify agenda items that were previously recommended and report outstanding issues to SRSHES. As a result, the recommendation would be reinserted on the new list of action items. Mr. Green advised the members to clearly define recommendations and action items with as much specificity as possible. This approach will allow the agencies to appropriately respond to SRSHES.

Outreach Workgroup.
Dr. Bustos reported that the SRSHES brochure has not been completed. Dr. Mildred McClain, the former workgroup chair, will be contacted to obtain comments from former and current members on the brochure and determine the status of the document.

Community Summary Workgroup.
Dr. Bustos, the workgroup chair, announced that the current version of the Phase II community summary distributed in the pre-meeting briefing books reflects changes SRSHES proposed during the previous meeting. Agreement was reached for the members to submit additional revisions to Dr. Bustos. The current version will be finalized based on this input, circulated to the members and placed for a vote. In the interim, however, the following suggestions were made.

• Explicitly state that 1955-1992 are the years being evaluated in the SRS dose reconstruction project.
• Change the first sentence in the second paragraph to "Five nuclear production reactors operated at SRS at various times from 1954-1988."
• Change the second sentence in the first paragraph to "When completed, the study will help determine if the health of people ..."