Antone L. Brooks and Richard J. Bull
Washington State University, Tri-Cities, 2710 University Drive, Richland,
Washington 99352
This project integrates communication, outreach and scientific expertise to support the DOE Low Dose Radiation Research Program. The project provides technical support for the DOE research program, facilitates interactions between DOE scientists, regulatory and scientific committees and other government and regulatory agencies, and provides a focal point for education and communication of research results from the program between the scientists, decision makers and the public.
Providing scientific and technical support for the DOE program is a primary goal of this project. The project has been an integral part of proposal reviews and project site visits. This overview has helped ensure that "high quality of information data" is generated. This demands that data be generated though hypothesis-driven studies, using appropriate exposure, dose and dose patterns and relevant human cells, tissues and organs. The studies have to address mechanisms of action evaluated at the dose of concern, and result in quantitative outcome to ensure the data produced is useful for risk assessment and policy decision. The project has help organize scientific meetings and workshops and produced and disseminated the summaries of these meetings. Dr. Brooks and Dr. Bull have participated on many panels and review committees and reviewed many articles for scientific journals.
Communication is the key to this project. This project facilitates the interactions between DOE, scientists, regulatory and scientific committees and other government and regulatory agencies. During the two years of funding , this project has presented information about the low-dose program to a number of government agencies and organizations (DOE, EPA, NIEHS, NRC, NASA, NCRP, ICRHER, NIH, NAS) and has presented similar information at a number of scientific societies ( Society of Toxicology, American Nuclear Society, Health Physics Society, , Environmental Mutagen Society, Radiation Research Society, American Statistical Society, Japanese Radiation Research Society, American Association for Advancement of Science, and the American Chemical Society. Dr. Brooks has also presented information at the national laboratories (BNL, PNNL, LBNL, LLNL, and ORNL). He has disseminated information from the research in this Low-Dose Program in the 45 scientific presentations given on behalf of the program and during the project has 16 open literature publications.
The project provides a focal point for education through communication of research between scientists, decision makers and the public. It is not adequate to simply convey scientific data to stakeholders, input from the stakeholders is required. The scientific information needs to be scientifically accurate and easy to understand.. The project has successfully promoted and organized public forums in which the public and scientists interact. Thirteen presentations to public groups such as Kiwanas, and Rotary have been given. A multimedia approach is useful. Dr. Brooks has given newspaper and television interviews as well as provided input for a television documentary. The project has provided teacher instruction through the CREHST Museum and has lectured university students. He is a member of the Hanford Advisory Board. He has participated in their Low-Dose Science and Technology Group Tanks Subgroup and is on their Public Involvement and Communication Committee. Dr. Brooks has been a major contributor to the Low Dose Program Website. In summary. this project has to promoted interaction and team work between the funding agency, scientists, regulatory agencies and the public for the Low Dose Program.