epidemiology:

The study of the incidence, distribution, and causes of health conditions and events in populations.

epidermis:

The outer layer of the skin.

equivalent dose:

A quantity developed for purposes of radiation protection and assessing risks to human health in general terms, defined as the average absorbed dose in an organ or tissue modified by the radiation weighting factor for the type, and sometimes energy, of the radiation causing the dose, as defined in ICRP (1991a). Supersedes average dose equivalent, as defined in ICRP (1977). The SI unit of equivalent dose is the joule per kilogram (J kg⁻¹), and its special name is the sievert (Sv). In conventional units used in this report, equivalent dose is given in rem; 1 rem = 0.01 Sv.

error:

The difference between an estimated value of a quantity and its actual value.

estimate:

A measure of or statement about the value of a quantity that is known, believed, or suspected to incorporate some degree of error.

exposure:

(A) A general term indicating human contact with ionizing radiation, radionuclides, or other hazardous agents. (B) For the purpose of measuring levels of ionizing photon radiation, the absolute value of the total charge of ions of one sign produced per unit mass of air when all electrons and positrons liberated or created by photons in air are completely stopped in air. Exposure is the quantity measured, for example, by a film badge. The SI unit of exposure is the coulomb per kilogram (C kg⁻¹). In conventional units used in this report, exposure is given in roentgens (R); 1 R = 2.58 × 10⁻⁴ C kg^-1.

exposure pathway:

The physical course of a radionuclide or other hazardous agent from its source to an exposed person.

exposure route:

The means of intake of a radionuclide or other hazardous agent by a person (such as ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin or an open wound).

exposure scenario:

In this report, the set of circumstances in which an individual or group was exposed to ionizing radiation. Characterization of an exposure scenario usually relies on assumptions about the activities of an individual or group, the times and locations of the activities, and the radiation environment in which the activities took place.

external dose:

The dose to organs or tissues of the body due to sources of ionizing radiation located outside the body, including sources deposited on the body surface.

extrapolation:

Use of a dataset or model under conditions different from those for which it was established.

fallout:

Deposition of radioactive particles produced by detonation of a nuclear weapon.

Front Matter (R1-R16)

Public Summary (1-4)

Executive Summary (5-14)

I. Introduction (15-43)

II. The Committee's Process (44-50)

III. The Process of Submitting and Deciding Claims (51-64)

IV. Process of Dose Reconstruction in NTPR Program (65-123)

V. Committee's Findings Related to NTPR Dose Reconstruction Program (124-230)

VI. Findings Related to Other Issues (231-256)

VII. Conclusions (257-264)

VIII. Recommendations (265-266)

References (267-278)

Appendix A: Examples of Dose Reconstruction Memoranda From Sample Cases Reviewed by Committee (279-290)

Appendix B: Sampled Case Files of Dose Reconstructions Reviewed by Committee (291-301)

Appendix C: Names of Invited Speakers and Interactions with Veterans (302-304)

Appendix D: Responses to Committee's Questions (305-334)

Appendix E: Analysis of Potential Inhalation Doses Due to Blast-Wave Effects at Operation PLUMBBOB, Shot HOOD, and Implications for Dose Reconstructions for Atomic Veterans (335-348)

Appendix F: Unit Dose Reconstruction for Task Force Warrior at Operation PLUMBBOB, Shot SMOKY (349-360)

Glossary (361-378)

List of Abbreviations (379-380)

Committee Biographies (381-384)

Index (385-399)