NIOSH Occupational Energy Research Program

The mission of the NIOSH Occupational Energy Research Program is to conduct relevant, unbiased research to identify and quantify health effects among workers exposed to ionizing radiation and other agents; to develop and refine exposure assessment methods; to effectively communicate study results to workers, scientists, and the public; to contribute scientific information for the prevention of occupational injury and illness; and to adhere to the highest standards of professional ethics and concern for workers’ health, safety and privacy.

Purposes:

• To more fully understand radiation cancer risk factors in occupational cohorts.
  
  
• To evaluate the significance of health outcomes in the DOE and other radiation exposed workers.
  
  
• To inform workers, the scientific community, and the public of the health risks associated with exposures to radiological, chemical, and other stressors.

Programs goals include:

• Assuring that energy-related health research addresses pertinent occupational health questions and provides a framework for intervention.
  
  
• Conducting research in an open environment with meaningful communication among all interested parties.
  
  
• Capturing the vanishing opportunities to study groups of people with unique exposure to radiation, chemical, and other stressors.
  
  
• Developing improved methods for associating occupational exposures and consequent health risks.
  
  
• Recommending improved protective measures for workers if scientific evidence indicates that regulations or practices are inadequate.