TY - BOOK AU - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine TI - Space Radiation and Astronaut Health: Managing and Communicating Cancer Risks SN - DO - 10.17226/26155 PY - 2021 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26155/space-radiation-and-astronaut-health-managing-and-communicating-cancer-risks PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Environment and Environmental Studies KW - Health and Medicine AB - Astronauts face unique health-related risks during crewed space missions, and longer-duration missions that extend to greater distances in our solar system (including to the Moon and Mars) will likely increase those risks. Cancer risks due to ionizing radiation exposure are one of these health-related risks. Assessing, managing, and communicating radiation-induced cancer risks associated with spaceflight are challenging because of incomplete knowledge of the radiation environment in space, limited data on radiation-induced cellular damage mechanisms, lack of direct observations from epidemiological studies, and the complexities of understanding radiation risk. At the request of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an ad hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened to provide advice on NASA's proposed updates to their space radiation health standard, which sets the allowable limit of space radiation exposure throughout the course of an astronaut's career. Space Radiation and Astronaut Health: Managing and Communicating Cancer Risks provides the committee's recommendations and conclusions regarding the updated space radiation health standard, NASA's radiation risk communication strategies, and a process for developing an ethics-informed waiver protocol for long-duration spaceflight missions. ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Academy of Sciences TI - Review of the Hanford Thyroid Disease Study Draft Final Report SN - DO - 10.17226/9738 PY - 2000 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/9738/review-of-the-hanford-thyroid-disease-study-draft-final-report PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Health and Medicine KW - Environment and Environmental Studies AB - In 1986, officials of the US Department of Energy revealed that the Hanford Atomic Products Operations in Richland, Washington, had been releasing radioactive material, in particular iodine-131, into the environment over a period of years. This information, which confirmed the suspicions of some people in the Pacific Northwest about what they called the Hanford Reservation or just Hanford, created quite a stir. Both the US Congress and citizens of the Northwest became keenly interested in knowing whether these radiation releases had caused human health effects. They were particularly concerned about whether Hanford releases of iodine-131 had led to an increase in thyroid disease among the population of the area. In 1988, Congress ordered a study of the human health effects of exposure to the iodine-131 released from Hanford. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study was carried out by the Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center over the last decade. The study examined estimate of exposure of the thyroid and rates of thyroid disease because iodine-131 concentrates in the thyroid and that organ would be the best indicator of radiation damage in the population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asked the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council (NAS-NRC) to give an independent appraisal of the study methodology, results, and interpretation and of the communication of the study results to the public. Review of the Hanford Thyroid Disease Study Draft Final Report constitutes the response of the NRC subcommittee to that request. To respond to the charge, the NRC subcommittee felt that it needed to go beyond the specific questions addressed to it by CDC and develop a broad understanding and critique of the HTDS and the Draft Final Report. As part of those activities, the subcommittee solicited comments from outside experts and members of the public primarily in a public meeting held in Spokane, Washington, in June 1999, where 14 scientists and members of the public made formal presentations to the subcommittee about various aspects of the Draft Final Report. Other members of the public also spoke during four open-comment sessions at the meeting. In addition, efforts were made to evaluate all information materials prepared for the public and additional CDC communication plans. Information was gathered through interviews with journalists, members of concerned citizen groups in the Hanford region, members of the CDC scientific and media staff in Atlanta, and the HTDS investigators. In this summary, the main points follow the structure of our report and are presented under several headings: epidemiologic and clinical methods and data collection, dosimetry, statistical analyses, statistical power and interpretation of the study, and communication of the study results to the public. We then provide a brief synopsis of our response to the questions raised by CDC. ER - TY - BOOK TI - Neutron Research on Condensed Matter: A Study of the Facilities and Scientific Opportunities in the United States DO - 10.17226/19944 PY - 1977 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/19944/neutron-research-on-condensed-matter-a-study-of-the-facilities PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - KW - Math, Chemistry, and Physics ER - TY - BOOK TI - Nuclear Processes in Geologic Settings: Proceedings of the Second Conference DO - 10.17226/20850 PY - 1956 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/20850/nuclear-processes-in-geologic-settings-proceedings-of-the-second-conference PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - KW - Space and Aeronautics ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiations: Time for Reassessment? SN - DO - 10.17226/6230 PY - 1998 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/6230/health-effects-of-exposure-to-low-levels-of-ionizing-radiations PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Environment and Environmental Studies AB - The US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air asked the National Research Council to evaluate whether sufficient new data exist to warrant a reassessment of health risks reported in Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiations (BEIR V) in 1990. To respond to this request, the National Research Council assembled the Committee on Health Risks of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiations. The work of the committee was conducted in what was called the BEIR VII phase-1 study. To assist the committee during its deliberations, various scientists were consulted for advice, and a workshop on the impact of biology on risk assessment was held in collaboration with the Department of Energy Office of Health and Environmental Research. The intent of the workshop was to address the implications of new understanding of the biologic basis of radiation injury and carcinogenesis for risk assessment. ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - Controlled Nuclear Fusion: Current Research and Potential Progress DO - 10.17226/18491 PY - 1978 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/18491/controlled-nuclear-fusion-current-research-and-potential-progress PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Energy and Energy Conservation KW - Math, Chemistry, and Physics AB - Controlled Nuclear Fusion was written as part of a larger study of the nation's prospective energy economy during the period 1985-2010, with special attention to the role of nuclear power among the alternative energy systems. Written to assist the American people and government in formulating energy policy, this report is an examination of the current state of fusion technology with an estimate of its future progress. Controlled Nuclear Fusion discusses the wide-ranging implications of energy in the coming decades. ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - Letter Report: Scientific Assessment of Options for the Disposition of the Galileo Spacecraft DO - 10.17226/9896 PY - 2000 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/9896/letter-report-scientific-assessment-of-options-for-the-disposition-of-the-galileo-spacecraft PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - Thermionics Quo Vadis?: An Assessment of the DTRA's Advanced Thermionics Research and Development Program SN - DO - 10.17226/10254 PY - 2001 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10254/thermionics-quo-vadis-an-assessment-of-the-dtras-advanced-thermionics PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Space and Aeronautics AB - This report evaluates the Defense Threat Reduction Agency prior and present sponsored efforts; assess the present state of the art in thermionic energy conversion systems; assess the technical challenges to the development of viable thermionic energy conversion systems for both space and terrestrial applications; and recommend a prioritized set of objectives for a future research and development program for advanced thermionic systems for space and terrestrial applications. ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine A2 - Robert Pool TI - Frontiers in Data Analytics and Monitoring Tools for Extreme Materials: Proceedings of a Workshop SN - DO - 10.17226/26983 PY - 2023 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26983/frontiers-in-data-analytics-and-monitoring-tools-for-extreme-materials PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Engineering and Technology KW - Space and Aeronautics AB - One of the major challenges in materials science today is developing materials that can survive and function in extreme environments, such as the high-radiation environments found in a fission or fusion reactor or the ultra-high temperature experienced by a hypervelocity vessel or a spacecraft traveling through Earths atmosphere on its return to the planets surface. What is needed to discover such materials was the topic of a 2-day workshop held at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on October 5-6, 2022. That workshop, titled Materials in Extreme Environments: New Monitoring Tools and Data-Driven Approaches, brought together an international collection of experts on the testing and measurement of materials in extreme environments and on discovering and developing new materials. This Proceedings of a Workshop recaps the presentations and discussions that took place during the 2 days of the workshop. ER - TY - BOOK TI - Materials and Man's Needs: Materials Science and Engineering DO - 10.17226/10435 PY - 1974 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10435/materials-and-mans-needs-materials-science-and-engineering PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Engineering and Technology ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - Report of the Workshop on Biology-based Technology to Enhance Human Well-being and Function in Extended Space Exploration SN - DO - 10.17226/6135 PY - 1998 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/6135/report-of-the-workshop-on-biology-based-technology-to-enhance-human-well-being-and-function-in-extended-space-exploration PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Space and Aeronautics ER - TY - BOOK TI - Materials and Man's Needs: Materials Science and Engineering -- Volume II, The Needs, Priorities, and Opportunities for Materials Research DO - 10.17226/10437 PY - 1975 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10437/materials-and-mans-needs-materials-science-and-engineering-volume-ii PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Engineering and Technology ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council A2 - Maurice H. Frere A2 - R. G. Menzel A2 - K. H. Larson A2 - Roy Overstreet A2 - R. F. Reitemeier TI - Behavior of Radioactive Fallout in Soils and Plants DO - 10.17226/18567 PY - 1963 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/18567/behavior-of-radioactive-fallout-in-soils-and-plants PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - KW - Environment and Environmental Studies ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Academy of Sciences TI - The Effects of Atomic Radiation on Oceanography and Fisheries DO - 10.17226/18539 PY - 1957 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/18539/the-effects-of-atomic-radiation-on-oceanography-and-fisheries PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - KW - Environment and Environmental Studies ER - TY - BOOK AU - Institute of Medicine AU - Institute of Medicine TI - An Evaluation of Radiation Exposure Guidance for Military Operations: Interim Report SN - DO - 10.17226/5853 PY - 1997 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/5853/an-evaluation-of-radiation-exposure-guidance-for-military-operations-interim PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Environment and Environmental Studies KW - Health and Medicine ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine TI - Leveraging Advances in Modern Science to Revitalize Low-Dose Radiation Research in the United States SN - DO - 10.17226/26434 PY - 2022 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26434/leveraging-advances-in-modern-science-to-revitalize-low-dose-radiation-research-in-the-united-states PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Environment and Environmental Studies AB - Radiation exposure at low doses (below 100 milligray) or low-dose rates (less than 5 milligray per hour) occurs in a wide range of medical, industrial, military, and commercial settings. The effects of exposure at these levels are not fully understood, but there are long-standing concerns that such exposure could negatively affect human health. Although cancer has been linked to low-dose radiation exposure for decades, there is increasing evidence that low-dose radiation exposure may also be associated with cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, immune dysfunction, and cataracts. Recent advances in research, new tools, and a coordinated multidisciplinary research program could help fill knowledge gaps about the health impacts of low-dose radiation exposures. This report calls for the development of a U.S. research program to study how low doses of radiation affect cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and other disease risks. Research should also better define the impacts of radiation doses, dose rates, types of radiation, and exposure duration. The report estimates $100 million annually for the next 15 years would be required to conduct epidemiological and biological research, and to establish an infrastructure for research. ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - Radiation Hazards to Crews of Interplanetary Missions: Biological Issues and Research Strategies SN - DO - 10.17226/5540 PY - 1996 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/5540/radiation-hazards-to-crews-of-interplanetary-missions-biological-issues-and PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Space and Aeronautics KW - Environment and Environmental Studies AB - NASA's long-range plans include possible human exploratory missions to the moon and Mars within the next quarter century. Such missions beyond low Earth orbit will expose crews to transient radiation from solar particle events as well as continuous high-energy galactic cosmic rays ranging from energetic protons with low mean linear energy transfer (LET) to nuclei with high atomic numbers, high energies, and high LET. Because the radiation levels in space are high and the missions long, adequate shielding is needed to minimize the deleterious health effects of exposure to radiation. The knowledge base needed to design shielding involves two sets of factors, each with quantitative uncertainty—the radiation spectra and doses present behind different types of shielding, and the effects of the doses on relevant biological systems. It is only prudent to design shielding that will protect the crew of spacecraft exposed to predicted high, but uncertain, levels of radiation and biological effects. Because of the uncertainties regarding the degree and type of radiation protection needed, a requirement for shielding to protect against large deleterious, but uncertain, biological effects may be imposed, which in turn could result in an unacceptable cost to a mission. It therefore is of interest to reduce these uncertainties in biological effects and shielding requirements for reasons of mission feasibility, safety, and cost. ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - The Astrophysical Context of Life SN - DO - 10.17226/11316 PY - 2005 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/11316/the-astrophysical-context-of-life PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Space and Aeronautics AB - In 1997, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) formed the National Astrobiology Institute to coordinate and fund research into the origins, distribution, and fate of life in the universe. A 2002 NRC study of that program, Life in the Universe: An Assessment of U.S. and International Programs in Astrobiology, raised a number of concerns about the Astrobiology program. In particular, it concluded that areas of astrophysics related to the astronomical environment in which life arose on earth were not well represented in the program. In response to that finding, the Space Studies Board requested the original study committee, the Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life, to examine ways to augment and integrate astronomy and astrophysics into the Astrobiology program. This report presents the results of that study. It provides a review of the earlier report and related efforts, a detailed examination of the elements of the astrobiology program that would benefit from greater integration and augmentation of astronomy and astrophysics, and an assessment of ways to facilitate the integration of astronomy with other astrobiology disciplines. ER - TY - BOOK TI - An Evaluation of the Electrometallurgical Approach for Treatment of Excess Weapons Plutonium DO - 10.17226/9187 PY - 1996 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/9187/an-evaluation-of-the-electrometallurgical-approach-for-treatment-of-excess-weapons-plutonium PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Environment and Environmental Studies ER - TY - BOOK AU - National Research Council TI - Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope: Final Report SN - DO - 10.17226/11169 PY - 2005 UR - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/11169/assessment-of-options-for-extending-the-life-of-the-hubble-space-telescope PB - The National Academies Press CY - Washington, DC LA - English KW - Space and Aeronautics AB - The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has operated continuously since 1990. During that time, four space shuttle-based service missions were launched, three of which added major observational capabilities. A fifth — SM-4 — was intended to replace key telescope systems and install two new instruments. The loss of the space shuttle Columbia, however, resulted in a decision by NASA not to pursue the SM-4 mission leading to a likely end of Hubble’s useful life in 2007-2008. This situation resulted in an unprecedented outcry from scientists and the public. As a result, NASA began to explore and develop a robotic servicing mission; and Congress directed NASA to request a study from the National Research Council (NRC) of the robotic and shuttle servicing options for extending the life of Hubble. This report presents an assessment of those two options. It provides an examination of the contributions made by Hubble and those likely as the result of a servicing mission, and a comparative analysis of the potential risk of the two options for servicing Hubble. The study concludes that the Shuttle option would be the most effective one for prolonging Hubble’s productive life. ER -