Archival records housed at USTUR support radium dial worker dosimetry Review


Authors: Martinez, N. E.; Jokisch, D. W.; Mumma, M. T.; Tolmachev, S. Y.; Avtandilashvili, M.; Tabatadze, G.; Leggett, R. W.; Samuels, C.; Golden, A. P.; Howard, S. C.; Dauer, L. T.; Boice, J. D. Jr
Review Title: Archival records housed at USTUR support radium dial worker dosimetry
Abstract: The American radium dial worker (RDW) cohort of over 3200 persons is being revisited as part of the Million Person Study (MPS) to include a modern approach to RDW dosimetry. An exceptional source of data and contextualization in this project is an extensive collection of electronic records (digitized from existing microfilm and microfiche) housed at the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR). Although the type, extent, and quality (e.g. legibility) of record(s) varies between individuals, the remarkable occupational, medical and demographic data include in vivo radiation measurements (e.g. radon breath, whole body counts), autopsy results, medical records (including copies of radiographs), interviews over the years, and correspondence. Of particular dosimetric interest are the details of radiation measurements. For example, there are some instances where hand-written and transcribed values are both available, along with notes providing context for why a particular measurement in a series of measurements was chosen to assign an intake, or if there were concerns about a particular measurement. Born prior to 1935, RDW have nearly all passed away. Thus, the updated dosimetry, especially for the skeletal tissues, will allow the correlation of lifetime cumulative dose with radiation risk. Here we review typical information available in this collection of historical records and highlight some interesting finds. Additionally, we discuss the relevance to current and ongoing work related to updating the dosimetry of the RDW in the MPS, including providing an example of the usefulness of information contained in these records. The RDW cohort provides a unique historical perspective on occupational exposure to radium, making it a valuable dataset for understanding long-term health effects and improving current radiation protection standards. © 2025 The Author(s). Published on behalf of the Society for Radiological Protection by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Keywords: united states; radiation exposure; register; registries; radiation effects; dosimetry; radiometry; medical computing; radiation protection; occupational exposure; population statistics; radium; humans; human; radiological protection; electronic health record; uranium; records management; 'current; million person study; dial painter; workers'; radiation measurements; luminizer; contextualization; electronic records; medical data
Journal Title: Journal of Radiological Protection
Volume: 45
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0952-4746
Publisher: IOP Publishing Ltd  
Date Published: 2025-06-01
Start Page: 021514
Language: English
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ad8bcf
PUBMED: 39467332
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PubMed and PDF -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Lawrence Dauer
    172 Dauer