Health effects models for nuclear power plant accident consequence analysis: Low LET radiation

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5101368· OSTI ID:5101368

Evans, J S ^[1]

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1. Harvard Univ., Boston, MA (USA). School of Public Health

This report describes dose-response models intended to be used in estimating the radiological health effects of nuclear power plant accidents. Models of early and continuing effects, cancers and thyroid nodules, and genetic effects are provided. Weibull dose-response functions are recommended for evaluating the risks of early and continuing health effects. Three potentially lethal early effects -- the hematopoietic, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal syndromes -- are considered. In addition, models are included for assessing the risks of several nonlethal early and continuing effects -- including prodromal vomiting and diarrhea, hypothyroidism and radiation thyroiditis, skin burns, reproductive effects, and pregnancy losses. Linear and linear-quadratic models are recommended for estimating cancer risks. Parameters are given for analyzing the risks of seven types of cancer in adults -- leukemia, bone, lung, breast, gastrointestinal, thyroid, and other.'' The category, other'' cancers, is intended to reflect the combined risks of multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and cancers of the bladder, kidney, brain, ovary, uterus and cervix. Models of childhood cancers due to in utero exposure are also developed. For most cancers, both incidence and mortality are addressed. The models of cancer risk are derived largely from information summarized in BEIR III -- with some adjustment to reflect more recent studies. 64 refs., 18 figs., 46 tabs.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Regulatory Applications; Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Harvard Univ., Boston, MA (USA). School of Public Health
• Sponsoring Organization: NRC
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5101368
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-4214-Rev.1-Pt.1; SAND--85-7185-Rev.1-Pt.1; ON: TI90006037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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