HanfordThyroidDiseaseStudyFinalReport-CentersforDisease.ppt

Hanford Thyroid Disease Study (HTDS)Final Report Michael A. McGeehin, Ph.D., M.S.P.H. Director Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects National Center for Environmental Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention June 21, 2002 HTDS Overview A study of thyroid disease among people exposed to iodine-131 from Hanford. The question: “Did this exposure result in increased incidence of thyroid disease?” Why study thyroid disease? Iodine-131 was a primary source of radiation from Hanford. Iodine-131 concentrates in the thyroid gland. About the thyroid Located at base of neck. Affects energy, temperature, weight and mood. Thyroid disease includes abnormal functions and abnormal growth. What happened at Hanford Built to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. Large amounts of radioactive iodine-131 released into the air from 1944 through 1957. Drinking contaminated milk was a major way people were exposed. How the study came about Public concern led to release of Hanford data. Scientific panel reviewed what happened. Panel recommendations led to: Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project HTDS Type of study: Dose Response Example of strong dose response Example of weak dose response Example of no dose response Study Design Universally accepted approach. One study group with similar characteristics but different levels of exposure. Similar characteristics: All were young children at time of highest releases. All are from Hanford region. Participant Selection Scientists identified a sampling of 5,199 birth certificates from seven counties. 3,440 people were able to participate. Participants represent a wide range of radiation doses. Study Implementation All participants examined for thyroid disease. Detailed information collected for estimating participants’ radiation dose. Scientists analyzed the data. All dose estimates and data analyses recalculated and checked after release of draft report. Findi