Exposure of the American People to Iodine-131 from Nevada Nuclear-Bomb Tests

In 1997, after more than a decade of research, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) released a report which provided their assessment of radiation exposures that Americans may have received from radioactive iodine released from the atomic bomb tests conducted in Nevada during the 1950s and early 1960s. This book provides an evaluation of the soundness of the methodology used by the NCI study to estimate:Past radiation doses.Possible health consequences of exposure to iodine-131.Implications for clinical practice.Possible public health strategies—such as systematic screening for thyroid cancer—to respond to the exposures.In addition, the book provides an evaluation of the NCI estimates of the number of thyroid cancers that might result from the nuclear testing program and provides guidance on approaches the U.S. government might use to communicate with the public about Iodine-131 exposures and health risks.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 Review of the NCI Radiation Dose Reconstruction3 Health Risks of I-131 Exposure4 Implications for Clinical Practice and Public Health Policy5 Communicating with the Public about Exposure to I-1316 Research NeedsReferencesGlossaryAppendix A. Study ActivitiesAppendix B. Copy of the Memorandum from Dr. Charles Land to Dr. Richard KlausnerAppendix C. Calculation of Collective Thyroid Dose to the U.S. Population from the Release of I-131 from the Nuclear Weapons Tests in NevadaAppendix D. Thyroid Cancer in Idaho, 1970-1996Appendix E. Applicable Radiation Exposure Standards and Guides: Past and PresentAppendix F. Screening for Thyroid Cancer: Background PaperCommittee Biographies