Nuclear Health and Safety: Efforts to Strengthen DOE's Health and Epidemiology Programs
Abstract
Over the past several years, concern over the Department of Energy's (DOE) dual role of producing nuclear weapons and assessing the potential health hazards associated with operating its facilities has raised questions about DOE's ability to effectively manage its health and health effects (epidemiology) research programs. In March 1990 the Secretary of Energy announced several initiatives to address these concerns. These initiatives include, among others, the development of an occupational health and epidemiology program, the transfer of long-term health effects' studies to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the establishment of an advisory committee to oversee DOE's environmental, safety, and health activities, and the design of a data base to store and retrieve health data. Specifically, you asked us to provide your with (1) a brief description of DOE's initiatives, including their status as of December 1990 and (2) our general observations on these initiatives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA263319
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office