ORAU TEAM

Dose Reconstruction

Project for NIOSH

Oak Ridge Associated Universities I Dade Moeller I MJW Technical Services

Page 1 of 9 

DOE Review Release 04/09/2013

Document Title:

Mound Site – Introduction

Document Number: ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 

Revision: 01

Effective Date: 03/28/2013

Type of Document: TBD

Supersedes: Revision 00 PC-1

Subject Expert(s): Donald N. Stewart

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 03/26/2013

Donald N. Stewart, Document Owner

Concurrence: Signature on File Concurrence Date: 03/26/2013

John M. Byrne, Objective 1 Manager

Concurrence: Signature on File Concurrence Date: 03/27/2013

Edward F. Maher, Objective 3 Manager

Concurrence: Vickie S. Short Signature on File for Concurrence Date: 03/26/2013

Kate Kimpan, Project Director

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 03/28/2013

James W. Neton, Associate Director for Science

New Total Rewrite Revision Page Change

FOR DOCUMENTS MARKED AS A TOTAL REWRITE, REVISION, OR PAGE CHANGE, REPLACE THE PRIOR 

REVISION AND DISCARD / DESTROY ALL COPIES OF THE PRIOR REVISION.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 Revision No. 01 Effective Date: 03/28/2013 Page 2 of 9

PUBLICATION RECORD

EFFECTIVE 

DATE

REVISION

NUMBER DESCRIPTION

09/09/2004 00 New technical basis document for the Mound Site – Introduction. 

First approved issue. Initiated by Jeffrey S. Vollmer.

03/13/2009 00 PC-1 Approved page change initiated to remove information pertaining to 

Monsanto Chemical Company, the subject of a class of employees 

added to the Special Exposure Cohort. These changes occurred on 

pages 6 and 7. NIOSH required language was revised on page 5 in 

Section 1.0. Added references on pages 5, 6, and 7 and added the 

Reference Section on page 8. No changes occurred as a result of 

formal internal review. Incorporates formal NIOSH review 

comments. No sections were deleted. Training required: As 

determined by the Task Manager. Initiated by Donald N. Stewart.

Signature on File 03/04/2009

Donald N. Stewart, Document Owner

Signature on File 03/04/2009

John M. Byrne, Task 3 Manager

Signature on File 03/04/2009

Edward F. Maher, Task 5 Manager

Signature on File 03/11/2009

Kate Kimpan, Project Director

Signature on File 03/13/2009

James W. Neton, Associate Director for Science

03/28/2013 01 Revision initiated to revise Special Exposure Cohort and to add 

attribution and annotation information. Reorganized document to 

follow standard structure. Updated text in Section 1.1. No changes 

occurred as a result of formal internal review. Incorporates formal 

NIOSH review comments. Training required: As determined by the 

Objective Manager. Initiated by Donald N. Stewart.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 Revision No. 01 Effective Date: 03/28/2013 Page 3 of 9

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE PAGE

Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................................... 4

1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 5

1.1.1 Purpose........................................................................................................................ 6

1.1.2 Scope........................................................................................................................... 6

1.1.3 Special Exposure Cohort Petition Information for the Mound Plant............................... 7

1.2 Site Description........................................................................................................................ 7

1.3 Occupational Medical Dose...................................................................................................... 8

1.4 Occupational Environmental Dose ........................................................................................... 8

1.5 Occupational Internal Dosimetry .............................................................................................. 8

1.6 Occupational External Dosimetry ............................................................................................. 8

1.7 Attributions and Annotations .................................................................................................... 8

References .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 Revision No. 01 Effective Date: 03/28/2013 Page 4 of 9

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

DOL U.S. Department of Labor

EEOICPA Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act

IMBA Integrated Modules for Bioassay Analysis (program)

IREP Interactive RadioEpidemiological Program

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

ORAU Oak Ridge Associated Universities

POC probability of causation

SEC Special Exposure Cohort

SRDB Ref ID Site Research Database Reference Identification (number)

TBD technical basis document

U.S.C. United States Code

§ section or sections
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 Revision No. 01 Effective Date: 03/28/2013 Page 5 of 9

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Technical basis documents and site profile documents are not official determinations made by the 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) but are rather general working 

documents that provide historical background information and guidance to assist in the preparation of 

dose reconstructions at particular sites or categories of sites. They will be revised in the event 

additional relevant information is obtained about the affected site(s). These documents may be used 

to assist NIOSH staff in the completion of the individual work required for each dose reconstruction.

In this document the word “facility” is used as a general term for an area, building, or group of 

buildings that served a specific purpose at a site. It does not necessarily connote an “atomic weapons 

employer facility” or a “Department of Energy [DOE] facility” as defined in the Energy Employees 

Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act [EEOICPA; 42 U.S.C. § 7384l(5) and (12)]. 

EEOICPA defines a DOE facility as “any building, structure, or premise, including the grounds upon 

which such building, structure, or premise is located ... in which operations are, or have been, 

conducted by, or on behalf of, the Department of Energy (except for buildings, structures, premises, 

grounds, or operations ... pertaining to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program)” [42 U.S.C. § 

7384l(12)]. Accordingly, except for the exclusion for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program noted 

above, any facility that performs or performed DOE operations of any nature whatsoever is a DOE 

facility encompassed by EEOICPA.

For employees of DOE or its contractors with cancer, the DOE facility definition only determines 

eligibility for a dose reconstruction, which is a prerequisite to a compensation decision (except for 

members of the Special Exposure Cohort). The compensation decision for cancer claimants is based 

on a section of the statute entitled “Exposure in the Performance of Duty.” That provision [42 U.S.C. § 

7384n(b)] says that an individual with cancer “shall be determined to have sustained that cancer in the 

performance of duty for purposes of the compensation program if, and only if, the cancer ... was at 

least as likely as not related to employment at the facility [where the employee worked], as 

determined in accordance with the POC [probability of causation1

] guidelines established under 

subsection (c) ...” [42 U.S.C. § 7384n(b)]. Neither the statute nor the probability of causation 

guidelines (nor the dose reconstruction regulation, 42 C.F.R. Pt. 82) restrict the “performance of duty” 

referred to in 42 U.S.C. § 7384n(b) to nuclear weapons work (NIOSH 2010).

The statute also includes a definition of a DOE facility that excludes “buildings, structures, premises, 

grounds, or operations covered by Executive Order No. 12344, dated February 1, 1982 (42 U.S.C. 

7158 note), pertaining to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program” [42 U.S.C. § 7384l(12)]. While this 

definition excludes Naval Nuclear Propulsion Facilities from being covered under the Act, the section 

of EEOICPA that deals with the compensation decision for covered employees with cancer [i.e., 42 

U.S.C. § 7384n(b), entitled “Exposure in the Performance of Duty”] does not contain such an 

exclusion. Therefore, the statute requires NIOSH to include all occupationally-derived radiation 

exposures at covered facilities in its dose reconstructions for employees at DOE facilities, including 

radiation exposures related to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. As a result, all internal and 

external occupational radiation exposures are considered valid for inclusion in a dose reconstruction. 

No efforts are made to determine the eligibility of any fraction of total measured exposure for inclusion 

in dose reconstruction. NIOSH, however, does not consider the following exposures to be 

occupationally derived (NIOSH 2010):

• Background radiation, including radiation from naturally occurring radon present in 

conventional structures

• Radiation from X-rays received in the diagnosis of injuries or illnesses or for therapeutic 

reasons

 

1 The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is ultimately responsible under the EEOICPA for determining the POC.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 Revision No. 01 Effective Date: 03/28/2013 Page 6 of 9

1.1.1 Purpose

This site profile supports the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Team documentation of 

historic practices at the Mound Laboratory site in Miamisburg, Ohio. It is an evaluation of internal and 

external dosimetry data, site monitoring, and other pertinent data for unmonitored and monitored 

workers for use as a supplement to individual monitoring data. This site profile provides technical 

basis information to be used to evaluate the total occupational dose for EEOICPA claimants. 

1.1.2 Scope

In 1943, the Manhattan Engineer District began the Dayton Project to investigate the chemistry and 

metallurgy of polonium. Between 1943 and 1948, this work was performed at locations around 

Dayton, all of which turned out to be too small for the job. As such, the Mound Plant was constructed 

in 1947 in Miamisburg, Ohio to replace these earlier laboratories. Mound was first occupied in May 

1948 and became operational February 1949. The site’s role grew to include nuclear weapons 

component development and production, and such secondary missions as radioactive waste 

management and recovery, the use of radioactive materials for nonweapons purposes, and the 

purification of nonradioactive isotopes for scientific and commercial research. This site profile 

contains supporting documentation to assist in the evaluation of worker dose from these processes at 

the Mound Laboratory, using the methodology in NIOSH implementation guides (NIOSH 2002 and 

2007). 

Methods and concepts of measuring radiation exposure to workers have evolved since the beginning 

of Mound operations in 1949. This site profile provides supporting technical data to evaluate the total 

Mound occupational dose that can reasonably be associated with the worker’s radiation exposure. 

This dose includes occupational internal and external exposures, occupationally required diagnostic 

X-ray examinations, and onsite exposure to site environmental releases. Consistent with NIOSH 

implementation guidance (NIOSH 2002 and 2007), this site profile identifies how to adjust the historic 

occupational dose to account for current scientific methods and protection factors.

In addition, this site profile presents technical basis methods used to prepare the Mound worker dose 

records for input to the NIOSH Interactive RadioEpidemiological Program (IREP) and the Integrated 

Modules for Bioassay Analysis (IMBA) computer codes used to evaluate worker dose. Because 

information on measurement uncertainties is an integral component of the NIOSH approach, this site 

profile describes how the uncertainty is evaluated for the Mound exposure and dose records. 

This site profile describes Mound facilities and processes and historic information related to worker 

internal and external exposures. Attachments contain critical data and tables required by dose 

reconstructors to suffice as a standalone document. 

This site profile also supplies supporting technical data used in the evaluation of the occupational 

dose that may be reasonably associated with a Mound Laboratory worker’s claim. The source of 

exposure may have resulted from external and internal radiation sources, required medical X-rays and 

to onsite releases and ambient exposure. Doses that may have occurred to unmonitored workers or 

that may have been missed by monitoring are included in this evaluation. Over time, improvements to 

monitoring devices and techniques as well as new protection standards have been developed. This 

site profile also captures these historical changes.

The doses are evaluated using the NIOSH IMBA and the IREP computer programs. As part of these 

evaluations, uncertainties associated with the assessment are an integral part of the NIOSH process. 

Therefore uncertainty analysis of Mound Laboratory exposure is also an essential part of this site 

profile. 
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 Revision No. 01 Effective Date: 03/28/2013 Page 7 of 9

This site profile consists of the latest versions of six major parts called technical basis documents 

(TBDs): this Introduction, Site Description, Occupational Medical Dose, Occupational Environmental 

Dose, Occupational Internal Dose, and Occupational External Dose. Each TBD has attachments as 

appropriate with relevant data that can be used by the dose reconstructor to evaluate claims. 

Sections 1.2 through 1.6 describe the TBDs. 

1.1.3 Special Exposure Cohort Petition Information for the Mound Plant

Classes Added to the SEC

Employees of the Department of Energy (DOE), its predecessor agencies, and DOE 

contractors or subcontractors who worked in any areas at the Mound Plant site from 

October 1, 1949, through February 28, 1959, for a number of work days aggregating at 

least 250 work days or in combination with work days within the parameters 

established for one or more other classes of employees in the SEC (SEC-0090; Leavitt 

2008).

All employees of the Department of Energy (DOE), its predecessor agencies, and its 

contractors and subcontractors who had at least one tritium bioassay sample and 

worked at the Mound Plant in Miamisburg, Ohio from March 1, 1959 through March 5, 

1980, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either 

solely under this employment, or in combination with work days within the parameters 

established for one or more other classes of employees in the Special Exposure 

Cohort (SEC-00171; Sebelius 2010).

All employees of the Department of Energy (DOE), its predecessor agencies, and their 

contractors and subcontractors who worked at the Mound Plant in Miamisburg, Ohio,

from September 1, 1972 through December 31, 1972, or from January 1, 1975 through 

December 31, 1976, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, 

occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within 

the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees included in the 

Special Exposure Cohort (SEC-00207; Sebelius 2012).

Dose reconstruction guidance in this document for periods before March 6, 1980, is presented to 

provide a technical basis for partial dose reconstructions for claims not covered in the SEC class 

through March 5, 1980. Although NIOSH found that it is not possible to completely reconstruct 

radiation doses for the SEC classes above, NIOSH intends to use any internal and external 

monitoring data that may become available for an individual claim (and that can be interpreted using 

existing NIOSH dose reconstruction processes or procedures). Therefore, dose reconstructions for 

employees who worked in any areas of the Mound Plant during the periods from October 1, 1949 

through February 28, 1959, or September 1, 1972 through December 31, 1972, or January 1, 1975 

through December 31, 1976; or who worked in R or SW Buildings (as indicated by tritium bioassay)

during the period from March 1, 1959 through March 5, 1980, but who do not qualify for inclusion in 

the SEC, may be performed using these data as appropriate. 

1.2 SITE DESCRIPTION

Part 2 describes facilities and processes and potential radiation sources utilized during the history of 

the Mound Laboratory. The tables showing radionuclides of concern and operational histories of the 

different facilities and sites are presented in this part. This document provides processes, 

radioisotope forms, and other information that might be useful in the completion of dose 

reconstructions. The dose reconstructor would use these data when monitoring data or other 

methods of evaluating dose are inadequate (ORAUT 2009a).
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 Revision No. 01 Effective Date: 03/28/2013 Page 8 of 9

1.3 OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL DOSE

Part 3 presents information for evaluation of dose due to occupational medical procedures. This 

includes radiation doses due to medical X-rays that were required for preemployment, annual, and 

other prescribed examinations. Any changes to techniques or equipment that were used at Mound 

Laboratory are also presented in this TBD. This TBD presents the pertinent details to help assist 

dose reconstructors in determining doses from occupational medical procedures at Mound Laboratory 

(ORAUT 2013). 

1.4 OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL DOSE

Part 4 presents information for use in reconstructing radiation doses to unmonitored workers. The 

releases of radionuclides from buildings at Mound Laboratory are related to the methods used to 

calculate doses to unmonitored workers. Potential internal exposures are presented that might have 

resulted from air dispersion of radionuclides from the buildings, ground-level releases during 

construction or deconstruction activities, and resuspension of radioactive contaminated soil. External 

radiation sources from various site facilities are evaluated for their contribution to this environmental 

dose. Methodology and equipment for estimating these doses over the years have changed, and 

these changes are taken into account in evaluating doses to unmonitored workers. Part 4 presents 

the details necessary for calculation of occupational environmental doses to unmonitored workers at 

Mound Laboratory (ORAUT 2009b).

1.5 OCCUPATIONAL INTERNAL DOSIMETRY

Part 5 presents information about occupational internal doses. The most significant radionuclides are 

presented in this TBD. This TBD also describes historical changes in monitoring methods and 

equipment. These changes are presented to aid the dose reconstructors in evaluating internal 

dosimetry records. Tables showing minimum detectable activities and other pertinent monitoring 

details are presented for both in vitro and in vivo bioassay techniques that might have been used. 

This TBD presents information that will aid the dose reconstructor in calculating doses to monitored 

and unmonitored workers (ORAUT 2010). 

1.6 OCCUPATIONAL EXTERNAL DOSIMETRY

Part 6 outlines the details of the occupational external dosimetry that will aid the dose reconstructor in 

evaluating external exposure to monitored and unmonitored workers at Mound Laboratory. Historical 

techniques and practices are presented and discussed in this TBD as well as radiation protection 

standards and practices that could have affected the dosimetry program. Tables are included that list 

historical exchange frequencies, techniques, exposure levels, and other details that will aid the dose 

reconstructor in evaluating external exposure. The pertinent information that can be utilized by dose 

reconstructors in evaluating occupational external dose is in this TBD (ORAUT 2004).

1.7 ATTRIBUTIONS AND ANNOTATIONS

All information requiring identification was addressed via references integrated into the reference 

section of this document.
Document No. ORAUT-TKBS-0016-1 Revision No. 01 Effective Date: 03/28/2013 Page 9 of 9

REFERENCES

Leavitt, M. O. 2008, HHS Designation of Additional Members of the Special Exposure Cohort under 

the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, Designating 

a Class of Employees from Mound Plant, Miamisburg, Ohio, U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C., March 3. [SRDB Ref ID: 80513]

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), 2002, Internal Dose Reconstruction 

Implementation Guidelines, OCAS-IG-002, Rev. 0, Office of Compensation Analysis and 

Support, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 1. 

NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), 2007, External Dose Reconstruction 

Implementation Guideline, OCAS-IG-001, Rev. 3, Office of Compensation Analysis and 

Support, Cincinnati, Ohio, November 21. 

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), 2010, Radiation Exposures Covered 

for Dose Reconstructions Under Part B of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness 

Compensation Program Act, DCAS-IG-003, Rev. 1, Division of Compensation Analysis and 

Support, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 5. 

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), 2012, SEC Petition Evaluation Report, 

Petition SEC-00207, Division of Compensation Analysis and Support, Cincinnati, Ohio, 

September 6.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2004, Technical Basis Document for the Mound 

Site – Occupational External Dosimetry, ORAUT-TKBS-0016-6, Rev. 00, Oak Ridge, 

Tennessee, August 11.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2009a, Mound Site – Site Description, ORAUTTKBS-0016-2, Rev. 00 PC-2, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, March 13.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2009b, Mound Site – Occupational 

Environmental Dose, ORAUT-TKBS-0016-4, Rev. 00 PC-1, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, March 13.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2010, Mound Site – Occupational Internal 

Dosimetry, ORAUT-TKBS-0016-5, Rev. 01, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, December 13.

ORAUT (Oak Ridge Associated Universities Team), 2013, Mound Site – Occupational Medical Dose,

ORAUT-TKBS-0016-3, Rev. 02, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, March 14.

Sebelius K., 2010, HHS Designation of Additional Members of the Special Exposure Cohort under the 

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, Designating a 

Class of Employees from the Mound Plant, Miamisburg, Ohio, U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C., July 14.

Sebelius, K., 2012, HHS Designation of Additional Members of the Special Exposure Cohort under 

the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, Designating 

a Class of Employees from the Mound Plant, Dayton, Ohio, U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C., December 7.