Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health

Santa Fe, NM

August 23–24, 2017
Work Group Members

 Bradley P. Clawson, Chair 

 Josie Beach

 John W. Poston, Sr.

 Phillip Schofield
Background

 November 20, 2007: Petition qualified. 

 August 8, 2008: NIOSH evaluation report issued. 

 October 20, 2011: ABRWH recommends SEC for 1958–1983 –

“NIOSH lacked adequate information necessary to complete 

individual [dose reconstructions] with sufficient accuracy for internal 

radiological exposures due to uranium...” 

 August 28, 2013: ABRWH recommends SEC for 1983–1991 – NIOSH 

lacked sufficient information to estimate “internal doses from 

potential exposure to uranium and thorium related to the 

disassembly of weapons systems during the time period from 1984 

through 1990, and to thorium in 1991.”

 Board concurs with NIOSH that dose reconstruction feasible for 

1951–1957.
Administrative Review: 1951–1957

 NIOSH concluded and Board agreed that dose reconstruction 

feasible for early years (1951–1957) based on negligible 

depleted uranium (DU) contamination from weapons 

components.

 Petitioner appealed determination to HHS Secretary; 

administrative review panel appointed.

 Panel concluded that petitioner’s appeal had merit based on 

potential DU contamination, presence of radionuclides beyond 

DU, and onsite activities that could present exposure potential 

to workers.

 SEC designation made by HHS Secretary for Jan. 1, 1951–Dec. 

31, 1957; noticed in Federal Register on Jan. 19, 2017.
Site Profile Issues: Final Status

1. Adequacy of Internal Dose Records – Closed at June 2013 WG 

2. Internal Dose Models for Uranium – Closed at June 2013 WG 

3. Dose Estimate Approach for Plutonium – Closed 

4. Dose Estimate Approach for Thorium – Closed at June 2013 WG 

5. Internal Dose Approach for Metal Tritides – Closed 

6. Interpretation of External Dosimetry Data* – Closed at August 4, 

2016, WG

7. Neutron-to-Photon Ratio Not Bounding – Closed (pending 

verification) at August 4, 2016, WG 

8. Completeness of Exposure Sources* – Closed at August 4, 2016, 

WG 

9. Incidents Cited Limited, Incomplete* – Closed at Sept. 4, 2014, WG

* Encompassed by SC&A white paper/NIOSH response. 
Site Profile Issues: Final Status (cont.)

10. Inadequate Consideration Given to Firing Sites – Closed at June 

2013 WG 

11. Validation Whether Most Exposed Workers Badged – Closed 

12. Accuracy of Plant Exposure Data (petitioner issue) – Closed

13. Too Few Workers Monitored for Valid Dose Reconstruction 

(petitioner issue)* – Closed at Sept 4, 2014, WG 

14. Records Incomplete for Subcontractors, Temps, Short-term 

Employees (petitioner issue) – Closed 

15. Exposure from Tritium Leaks (petitioner issue)* – Closed at 

August 4, 2016, WG 

16. Badge Placement (petitioner issue) – Closed at Sept 4, 2014, WG 

17. Efficacy of Health Physics and Industrial Hygiene Programs 

(petitioner issue) – Merged with Other Matrix Issues – Closed at 

June 2013 WG

* Encompassed by SC&A white paper/NIOSH response.
Final TBD Issue Resolution

(SC&A evaluation, Feb 2016)

ORAUT-TKBS-0013-6, Rev. 02, External Dose TBD, issued 11/24/2015 

 Rev. 02 included revisions for:

 Issue 8: Additional information added accounting for “work-for-others” 

– Closed by WG at 8/4/2016 meeting. 

 Issue 6: Clarification needed for “zeros” in database – Closed by WG at 

8/4/2016 meeting.

 Issue 7: Basis for NTA film correction factors needs more substantiation 

– Open.

ORAUT-TKBS-0013-5, Rev. 04, Internal Dose TBD, issued 6/1/2015

 Issue 15: Tritium exposure: Limits used vs. actual minimum detectable 

activities (MDAs); NIOSH agreed to revise tables and text in Internal 

Dose TBD to reflect actual Pantex MDA values, simplified dose 

assignment – Closed by WG at 8/4/2016 meeting.
Last WG Meeting: Pended Closure

 Issue 7: WG closure pending SC&A review of correction 

factors, including 4/18/2011 white paper (Ruhter et al.)* 

describing technical basis for NTA film neutron dose correction 

factors. 

 SC&A provided evaluation of TBD (Rev. 02) and ORAUTOTIB-0086 NTA film correction factor issues (10/19/2016): 

SC&A found NTA film correction factor of 2.9 reasonable.

 With pended closure verified by SC&A, all TBD issues for 

Pantex resolved.

*Ruhter, Paul E., Billy P. Smith, and Leo G. Faust, M. H. Chew & Associates, Inc., Pantex NTA Film Issues and 

Dose Assignments to Monitored and Unmonitored Workers. April 18, 2011.