TH29 Analysis of Cancer Risk in Populations Living Near Nuclear Facilities

In 2010, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) had requested the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to update the 1990 U.S. National Institutes of Health - National Cancer Institute (NCI) report, “Cancer in Populations Living Near Nuclear Facilities.” The NRC staff uses the NCI report as a primary resource when communicating with the public about cancer mortality risk in counties that contain or are adjacent to nuclear power facilities. In the new study, NRC is also interested in having the NAS evaluate cancer diagnosis rates as well as exploring how to divide the study areas around the facilities into geographical units smaller than the counties used in the NCI report. This session will provide a historical context of NRC’s request to NAS with an introduction of the study committee and study schedule. In addition, speakers from various perspectives will present their views on the study including the experience of the State of Connecticut in performing a similar study to address citizen concerns.

SESSION CHAIR(S):

Kathy Halvey Gibson, Deputy Director, Division of Systems Analysis, NRC/RES

SPEAKERS/PANELISTS:

• Introductory Remarks

  Kathy Halvey Gibson, Deputy Director, Division of Systems Analysis, NRC/RES

• The U.S. NRC’s request to the NAS to Perform the Study, “Analysis of Cancer Risk in Populations near Nuclear Facilities - Phase 1 Feasibility Study”

  Terry Brock Senior Project Manager Division of Systems Analysis NRC/RES

• National Academy of Sciences Study on Cancer Risks in Populations Living near Nuclear Facilities

  Kevin Crowley Director Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board National Research Council of the National Academies

• Health Physics Society Perspectives on the National Academy of Sciences Cancer Risk Study in Populations near Nuclear Facilities

  Edward Maher President Health Physics Society

• The Natural Resources Defense Council Perspective on the NAS Cancer Risk Study in Populations near Nuclear Facilities

  Thomas Cochran Senior Scientist Natural Resources Defense Council

• Nuclear Energy Industry Perspective on a Proposed Study of Cancer in Populations Around Nuclear Facilities

  Ralph Andersen Senior Director Radiation Safety and Environmental ProtectionNuclear Energy Institute

• Benefits of Third Party Cancer Risk Assessments

  Edward Wilds Jr. Director Radiation Division Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

SESSION COORDINATOR(S):

Vered Anzenberg, NRC/RES, tel: (301) 251-7546, e-mail: Vered.Anzenberg@nrc.gov