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NIOSH Programs > Radiation Dose Evaluation > Program Description
Radiation Dose EvaluationProgram DescriptionThe mission of the NIOSH Radiation Dose Evaluation (RDE) cross-sector program is to provide national and international leadership in the area of ionizing radiation dose evaluation and to reduce illness by fostering Institute-wide collaboration in the development, promotion, and application of the best available science in the evaluation of radiation dose in the workplace. Since the creation of NIOSH by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, radiation research has been an important field of study within the Institute. Over the last three decades, radiation research within the Institute has spanned several occupational categories including, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, and transportation. A search of the NIOSH Publications Database using the term ‘radiation’ brings up over 1,000 entries. As early as 1971, NIOSH researchers were studying the link between occupational radiation exposure and respiratory cancer among uranium miners. Current NIOSH radiation research continues to investigate the links between occupational illnesses and radiation exposure. NIOSH radiation exposure studies cover many types of workers in the United States. For example, some recent NIOSH studies have looked at radiation exposure among TSA baggage handlers, airline pilots and flight attendants, uranium miners, radiologic technologists, welders and construction workers, and nuclear weapons and power-generating workers. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements reports that there are almost four million workers in the United States employed in occupations where there is potential for radiation exposure. This most recent report, issued in 2006, shows an increase of more than double the number of workers with potential radiation exposure than was estimated in a previous report issued by the Council in 1980. As the population of Americans potentially exposed to radiation in an occupational setting continues to grow, the NIOSH focus on radiation dose evaluation research remains a high priority. Page last updated: August 20, 2009
Page last reviewed: August 20, 2009 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Office of the Director |
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NIOSH Program:Radiation Dose Evaluation |
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