Ionizing radiation risks to satellite power systems (SPS) workers
The radiation risks to the health of workers who will construct and maintain solar power satellites in the space environment were examined. For ionizing radiation, the major concern will be late or delayed health effects, particularly the increased risk of radiation-induced cancer. The estimated lifetime risk for cancer is 0.8 to 5.0 excess deaths per 10,000 workers per rad of exposure. Thus, for example, in 10,000 workers who completed ten missions with an exposure of 40 rem per mission, 320 to 2000 additional deaths in excess of the 1640 deaths from normally occurring cancer, would be expected. These estimates would indicate a 20 to 120% increase in cancer deaths in the worker-population. The wide range in these estimates stems from the choice of the risk-projection model and the dose-response relationsip. The choice between a linear and a linear-quadratic dose-response model may alter the risk estimate by a factor of about two. The method of analysis (e.g., relative vs absolute risk model) can alter the risk estimate by an additional factor of three. Choosing different age and sex distributions can further change the estimate by another factor of up to three. The potential genetic consequences could be of significance, but at the present time, sufficient information on the age and sex distribution of the worker population is lacking for precise estimation of risk. The potential teratogenic consequences resulting from radiation are considered significant. Radiation exposure of a pregnant worker could result in developmental abnormalities.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6759927
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-9866; TRN: 81-002073
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
14 SOLAR ENERGY
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
COSMIC RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
RADIATION BELTS
SOLAR PARTICLES
CARCINOGENESIS
CONSTRUCTION
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
MAINTENANCE
OPERATION
PERSONNEL
RADIATION HAZARDS
RISK ASSESSMENT
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
PATHOGENESIS
POWER PLANTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
SAFETY
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man
140400 - Solar Energy- Environmental Aspects
570000 - Health & Safety