An Epidemiologic Study of Mortality and Radiation-Related Risk of Cancer Among Workers at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, A U.S. Department of Energy Facility: NIOSH Occupational Energy Research Program Final Report

This study is an all-cause cohort mortality study to evaluate causes and numbers of deaths among workers at the INEEL facility, and to determine if and how past radiation exposures were associated with cancers among INEEL workers. This study included 63,561 civilian workers employed by the Department of Energy (DOE), its contractors and subcontractors, or the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) at the INEEL at any time between 1949 and the end of 1991. Causes of death prior to 12/31/1999 were obtained for deceased workers using the National Death Index and death certificates. Gamma and neutron radiation doses were estimated for each worker from individual dosimetry records at the INEEL and the NRF. Mortality risks for most causes of death were lower among INEEL workers compared to the regional population. However, cancer rates were slightly elevated, and differ by the type of work conducted at the INEEL. While the results of the study suggest that there may be a relationship between workplace radiation exposures and the risk of brain tumors, leukemia, and lymphatic cancers, the numbers were not statistically significant. The findings provide guidance for further research needed to determine conclusively if past radiation exposures were associated with a risk of cancer.

An Epidemiologic Study of Mortality and Radiation-Related Risk of Cancer Among Workers at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, A U.S. Department of Energy Facility: NIOSH Occupational Energy Research Program Final Report [PDF – 2,069 KB]