National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NIOSH Update on LBNL Efforts

Megan Lobaugh, PhD, CHP

Research Health Physicist

Teleconference of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 

Work Group

November 25, 2019
Overview

 Summary of LBNL Site Profile Issues

– Review of “In Progress” Site Profile Issues

 Overview of Current DCAS Work Underway

 Current Responses to SC&A Review of the NIOSH White Paper: “Method 

to Assess Internal Dose Using Gross Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Bioassay 

and Air Sampling at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory”
Summary of LBNL Site Profile Issues

 13 Findings

• 3 Closed

• 2 Addressed in Finding

• 8 In Progress

 8 Observations

• 3 Addressed in Finding

• 5 In Progress

Next we will review the “In Progress” Issues
Finding 1: Inadequate documentation of historical 

operations and sources of radiological exposures

 Facility Information

 Related Issue

– Observation 5: Lack of information on isotopes, facilities, and handling 

methods (additional facility information)

 Action Items

– NIOSH update Site Profile with additional information that has been 

captured since the last revision
Finding 2: Insufficient Information for Internal Dose 

Reconstruction, especially during the Early Years

 Internal Dose

 Related Issues

– Finding 4: Bioassay Data Completeness and Adequacy have not been 

Verified

– Finding 11: Inadequacy of Bioassay Analyses Presentation

 Action Items

– NIOSH respond to the SC&A February 2014 Memo with specific 

references to where we have provided this information in the past, as 

well as how the recent Internal Dose Methodology would affect 

answers to the questions put forward in the memo.

• Interviews and data capture
Finding 5: Insufficient Justification for Selection of 

IREP Energy Range Fractions for Photo Exposures

 External Dose

 Related Issue

– Observation 8: Overuse of Generalizations and Assumptions (IREP 

photon energy fractions)

 Action Items

– NIOSH update Table 6-5 for all years and all major accelerator 

operations

• Interviews and data capture
Finding 6: Insufficiency of Neutron Dosimetry 

Treatment

 External Dose

 Related Issue

– Observation 8: Overuse of Generalizations and Assumptions (neutronto-gamma dose ratios)

 Action Items

– NIOSH revise the external dose discussion to direct use of the N:P 

ratio, determine if NTA correction factors (energy response, angular 

dependence, and fading) are required, clarify low energy NTA 

correction factor discussion, and clarify the uncertainties listed in 

Table 6-11.

• Interviews and data capture
Finding 7: Failure to Justify the Shallow Dose to Deep 

Dose Assumption

 External Dose

 Related Issues

– Observation 5: Lack of Information on Isotopes, Facilities, and 

Handling Methods (additional information specific to shallow and 

extremity doses)

– Observation 6: Extremity Dosimetry needs Revisiting

– Observation 8: Overuse of Generalizations and Assumptions (shallowto-deep dose ratios)
Finding 7: Failure to Justify the Shallow Dose to Deep 

Dose Assumption (continued)

 Action Items

– NIOSH review NOCTS claim data to determine if it supports the 

shallow to deep dose ratios and extremity dose ratios.

– NIOSH compile list of pure beta emitters in use.

– NIOSH research whether there is area monitoring available for pure 

beta emitters in use

– NIOSH determine if unmonitored approach is needed for pure beta 

emitters

– NIOSH review extremity dose ratio and provide specific response to 

SC&A comment of 3 vs 5 times.

– Interviews and data capture
Finding 8: Uncertainty in Beta-Gamma Dosimeter 

Response to Radiation Types and Energies

 External Dose

 Action Items

– NIOSH update external dose discussion in Site Profile with specific 

direction regarding not using the electroscope data after 1948 

because there is film and other dosimetry data available

– NIOSH review Attachment A of Site Profile and provide summary of 

what is included to address the specific information requested in 

SC&A review
Finding 12: Failure to Provide Sufficient Guidance for 

Unmonitored Workers

 Internal Dose

 Action Items

– NIOSH respond to the SC&A February 2014 Memo with specific 

references to where we have provided this information in the past, as 

well as how the recent Internal Dose Methodology would affect 

answers to the questions put forward in the memo.

• Interviews and data capture
Finding 13: Inadequate Coverage of Occupational 

Environmental Dose

 Environmental Dose

 Action Items

– NIOSH add information to Site Profile about the Co-60 accelerator, 

flesh out accelerator background (environmental) exposures, and 

change guidance for radionuclide assignment for internal dose from 

beta contributors.
Observation 1: The site profile does not address LBNL 

Staff assigned to the Nevada Test Site or the 

Significance of its Employees Working at Other 

DOE/AWE Sites

 At April 5, 2019 WG meeting, NIOSH explained the LBNL Site Profile would 

not have information about assigning dose from exposures at other sites. 

During the dose reconstruction process, when an EE has been identified as 

visiting or working at other sites, the records would be requested from the 

other sites and those Site Profiles be used to assess the dose. 

 Action Item

– WG/SC&A response
Observation 2: More information needed for Internal 

Dose Assignment for Short-lived Radionuclides

 Internal Dose

 The NIOSH white paper entitled "Method to Assess Internal Dose using 

Gross Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Bioassay and Air Sampling at the Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory" provides a method for assigning internal 

dose from short-lived radionuclides.

 Action Item

– NIOSH and WG/SC&A continue to work to resolve the issues on the 

Methodology
Observation 3: Lack of Discussion of Radiological 

Incidents

 Action Items

– NIOSH will identify and research major radiological incidents at LBNL, 

then revise the Site Profile to incorporate a summary of these 

incidents
Observation 4: Need to provide information on 

Metallurgical Laboratory [dosimetry services]

 External Dose

 Action Items

– NIOSH will perform additional research for information on the MetLab

Dosimetry services and include any additional information in the Site 

Profile.
Observation 7: Lack of Sufficient Information for 

External Dose Evaluation

 External Dose

 Action Items

– NIOSH commits to improving the discussion of the post-1947 External 

Dosimetry program, including historical dosimeter information
Overview of Current DCAS Work 

Underway

Agenda Item 3
Interviews and Data Capture Timeline

 June 11, 2019- NIOSH sends Data Request (LBNL-FY19-001)

 July 2, 2019- NIOSH requests interviews through LBNL Point of Contact

 August 15, 2019- NIOSH began reaching out to potential interviewees

 September 3, 2019- Interview #1 (SRDB Ref ID 178601)

– Interviewee provided several additional names

– Sent 4 requests for additional interviews

 September 6, 2019- Interview #2 (SRDB Ref ID 178602)

 November 15, 2019- LBNL provided NIOSH with selected UCRL and 

numbered technical documents

 January 13, 2020- Data Capture Tentatively Scheduled
Data Request (LBNL-FY19-001): 

Information Specific to Site Profile Issues

 Whole Body Counter peak searches and calibration (Findings 2, 4, and 11)

 Neutron and other radiation energy spectra from cyclotrons/accelerators 

(Finding 1, 5, 6, and 8)

 Extremity dosimetry (Finding 7; Observations 5, 6, and 8)

 Neutron Exposures measured by NTA film (Finding 6 and 8)

 Shallow/Beta Dose (Finding 7; Observations 5, 6, and 8)
Data Request (LBNL-FY19-001): Information Specific to 

Internal Dose Methodology Issues

Note: Internal Dose Methodology was written in response to Site Profile 

Findings 2, 4, 11, and 12 & Observation 2

 Gross alpha, gross beta, gross gamma bioassay in-house detector systems 

(Finding 2)

 Breathing zone alpha and beta/gamma in-house detector systems (Finding 

2)

 Air sampling policies and procedures, including specific information about 

Breathing Zone samples (Finding 1)
Current Responses to SC&A Review of the 

NIOSH White Paper: “Method to Assess 

Internal Dose Using Gross Alpha, Beta, and 

Gamma Bioassay and Air Sampling at the 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory”

Agenda Item 4
Summary of Issues from Method to Assess Internal 

Dose Using Gross Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Bioassay 

and Air Sampling at Lawrence Berkeley National 

Laboratory

 2 Findings  3 Observations
Finding 1: Air Samples May Not Represent 

Concentrations Breathed by Workers

 Interviews (SRDB Ref ID 178601 and 178602) and data capture request 

regarding additional air sampling program policies and procedures
Finding 2: Technical Issues and Uncertainties with 

Gross Counting Data Conversion to 

Concentration/Intake for Use in Dose Reconstruction

 Interviews (SRDB Ref ID 178601 and 178602) and data capture request for 

specific information on in-house detector systems used to measure these 

samples
Observation 1: Potentially Missed Radionuclides

– Radioiodines- not included, measured on separate charcoal samples

– Erbium-165- not included, below short half-life cutoff

– Erbium-169- will be added in final DR Methodology Implementation

– Fermium-237

• Typo in SC&A Methodology Review, intent likely was Fm-257, 

which is in the Site Profile and not included in the Methodology 

• Fm-257 will be added in the final DR Methodology Implementation
Observation 1: Potentially Missed Radionuclides

(continued)

– Rhodium-102- will be added in final DR Methodology Implementation

– Scandium-93

• Typo carried over from the Site Environmental reports 

• Interviewees provided additional contacts who prepared the 

environmental reports, NIOSH continuing to investigate and will 

report back
Observation 2: Bioassays in Claimant DOE Files May 

Not Be Indicative of Exposure Potential

 2010 NIOSH began receiving the entire medical file

 NIOSH made a mass re-request of the complete medical file for LBNL 

claims received prior to 2010

 168 claims

– 53 no medical records

– 1 claim submitted that had a PoC over 50%

– 109 claims no new bioassay information

– 3 claims with new bioassay information from DOE, but NIOSH had 

information via other documents

– 2 claims with new bioassay information
Observation 2: Bioassays in Claimant DOE Files May 

Not Be Indicative of Exposure Potential (continued)

 5 claims with new bioassay information were reviewed for impact

# of 

Claims

Bioassay 

Results 

Available at 

Time of DR

New Bioassay Results 

Available after Mass 

Re-request

Potential Effect on 

the Application of 

Internal Dose 

Methodology

2 No Yes Yes

2 Yes Yes Yes

1 Yes No No
Observation 2: Bioassays in Claimant DOE Files May 

Not Be Indicative of Exposure Potential (continued)

 Note: Unmonitored approach using air sampling results doesn’t necessarily rely on 

existence of bioassay data

 Conclusion:

– 4 of the 168 claims (~2.4%) potentially affected by existence of 

bioassay
Observation 3: Bioassays in Claimant DOE Files May 

Not Be Complete Compared to LBNL Documents

 2010 NIOSH began receiving the entire medical file

 NIOSH made a mass re-request of the complete medical file for LBNL 

claims received prior to 2010

 168 claims

– 53 no medical records

– 1 claim submitted that had a PoC over 50%

– 109 claims no new bioassay information

– 3 claims with new bioassay information from DOE, but NIOSH had 

information via other documents

– 2 claims (~1.2%) with new bioassay information 
For more information, contact CDC

1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)

TTY: 1-888-232-6348 www.cdc.gov

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the 

official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.