The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #52214

L. B. Sandy Rock, MD, MPH, ACPM I-131 Environmental Health Education Project, Interpretive Consultations, Inc, Risk Communication & Environmental Health Education Services, P.O. Box 7235, Bellevue, WA 98008-1235, (425) 957-7625, sandyrock@sandyrock.com, Michael Barry, American College of Preventive Medicine, 1660 L Street, NW, Washington, DC, DC 20036, and Jennifer Bretsch, MS, Health Policy, American College of Preventive Medicine, 1307 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Iodine-131 (I-131) is a hazardous radioactive substance that may pose health risks to persons exposed to it. Exposure to I-131 can lead to thyroid cancer and other thyroid disorders. Large amounts of Iodine-131 were released into the atmosphere during periods of nuclear weapons production and testing from the 1940’s into the early 1960’s, resulting in widespread exposure of the U.S. population. Concerns about I-131 exposures are greater in areas surrounding Department of Energy (DoE) facilities where nuclear production and testing have occurred or at nuclear power plant sites where the potential for an acute release exists.

The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) and the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), in cooperation with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), are developing a science-based environmental health education program on I-131 exposure in communities located near DoE sites where I-131 is a contaminant of concern. This poster session will provide participants with an overview of environmental I-131 exposure and appropriate public health responses. It will highlight current and planned educational activities being undertaken by ATSDR, ACPM and ACMT, and other national partners. These include dissemination of the ATSDR Case Study in Environmental Medicine on I-131; development of an I-131 educational web site; convening and on-line dissemination of educational sessions at ACPM’s annual Preventive Medicine meetings; and development and delivery of other educational materials.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this poster session, the participant will (1)Have a better understanding of ionizing radiation basics; the health effects of I-131 exposure; past, present, and future exposure scenarios; and the appropriate public health response for each situation; (
• Identify the concerns about I-131 exposure that span several affected communities surrounding DoE sites—including the Hanford site in Washington, the Savannah River site in South Carolina, and the Oak Ridge site in Tennessee—and how these communities are organizing to address these concerns; and (
• Be able to articulate the initiatives being undertaken by ACPM and ACMT to educate target audiences in these affected communities and at a national level about I-131 exposure risks and health effects.

Keywords: Radiation, Environmental Exposures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Project Consultant