New information on dosimeter readings on or very near the site was received after the initial analysis. It was also learned that an individual was present on one of the nearby islands (Hill Island) for a total of 10 hours during the period March 28 to March 29. The best estimate of the dose which may have been received by the individual is 37 mrem. The text includes a range of dose estimates for that individual. Will these estimates of dose change again? The dose and health effects estimates contained in this report are based on the dosimeter results for the period March 28 to April 7, 1979. There still remain some questions concerning interpretation of the dosimeter results. For example, the best values for subtracting background from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission dosimeters have not been determined. Recently available data from additional dosimeters exposed during the March 28 to April 7 period have been reviewed briefly, but could not be included in the calculations in time for this report. The actual contribution to collective dose from the period after April 7, if any, has not been fully assessed. values may be subject to some modification. Therefore, the numerical dose The Ad Hoc Group feels that these factors represent only minor corrections to the present estimates. In any case, none of the above refinements should cause an increase in any of the current estimates that would alter the basic conclusion regarding the health impact due to the Three Mile Island accident. 1. INTRODUCTION The Ad Hoc Population Dose Assessment Group was formed from individuals assigned by their respective agencies to the NRC Incident Response Center on Monday, April 2, 1979. The Ad Hoc Group's objective was to obtain an estimate of the public health consequences of this accident to the offsite population and submit the results to each of the constituent agencies for their use. Because of the urgency to prepare estimates of the health impact for presentation at the April 4, 1979 hearings before the Senate Subcommittee on Health and Scientific Research, the group had to rely upon very early data that were available at the NRC Incident Response Center or easily obtained through existing communication channels with the Federal coordination center adjacent to the Three Mile Island site. An interim report was prepared on April 15, 1979, which extended the estimate through April 7, 1979. The current report is an update of that analysis. The Ad Hoc Group has also had a chance to review its earlier calculations and analyze the data in a more systematic fashion. B. Relationship to Other Federal Activities on Radiation IB-1 C. General Information Requirements for the Estimation IC-1 D. Current Research Activities Related to the Low Health IID-1 B. Legislative Mandates Concerning Public Health and IIIB-1 C. Research Needs of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission IIIC-1 D. Current Activities Related to the Assessment of IIID-1 E. NRC Capabilities to Conduct Research on the Health IIIE-1 F. Summary and Conclusions... IIIF-1 A. PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION OF THIS REPORT 1. Purpose The Congress of the United States directed the Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to prepare an assessment of their research needs and capabilities in the area of the health effects of low-level* ionizing radiation. This report, prepared jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, represents the agencies' response to this directive. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have complementary responsibilities in protecting the public from radiation that might be emitted from the nuclear fuel cycle and from other peaceful uses of radioactive materials. Under Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, EPA has the responsibility for setting generally applicable environmental radiation standards. The NRC has responsibility for developing and enforcing standards for occupational radiation protection and radioactive effluent limitations and for enforcing the EPA standards for activities it licenses under the authorities of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended. Because of their respective responsibilities, both the EPA and NRC must assure that these generally applicable standards provide adequate protection of public health. *For the purposes of this report "low-level" radiation is considered to be radiation doses within current Federal guidance for occupational exposure. (1)Sec. 5(c) of Public Law 95-601, Authorizing Appropriation to The Nuclear Regulatory Commission for FY 1979. IA-1 |