The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) analyzes accumulated data to identify potential workplace hazards to which individuals or groups of workers may be exposed. ORISE assesses both chemical and radiation exposures, and conducts both internal and external radiation dose assessments.
Our capabililities include:
- Linkage of exposure data to site rosters
- Assessment of retrospective exposures
- Preparation of assessment protocols
- Design and testing of dose assignment protocols
- Evaluation of monitoring programs/procedures
- Reconstruction of retrospective plant operation and health and safety programs
ORISE and collaborators have, for example, conducted an assessment of health outcomes among nuclear technology workers at the Rocketdyne/Atomics International (AI) Santa Susana Field Laboratory employed between 1948 and 1999. Both internal and external radiation doses were considered to produce organ doses. In addition, employees’ career exposures pre-and post Rocketdyne/AI employment were also incorporated in the analysis.
This assessment was unusual in that comprehensive dose histories were included in the analysis. Without considering all sources of occupational exposure, an incorrect characterization of worker exposure would have occurred with the potential to bias epidemiologic results. This research was published in the May 2006 edition of Health Physics: The Radiation Safety Journal.