Transportation Security Administration Health Hazard Evaluation Report

Document

• Transportation Security Administration Health Hazard Evaluation Report [PDF 4.5 MB]

Related Materials

• Peer Reviewers' Comments [PDF 103 KB]
• Response to Peer Reviewers' Comments [PDF 113 KB]

Required Elements for Initial Public Posting on June 16 or December 16

Title: Transportation Security Administration Health Hazard Evaluation Report

Subject: Evaluation of exposure of TSA workers to radiation during use of security equipment.

Purpose: To complete the health hazard evaluation that was a response to a request for evaluation of potential occupational exposures of TSA employees performing security duties.

Type of Review: Individual Reviews

Timing of Review: June 2007

Number of Reviewers: 3 or less

Primary Disciplines/Types of Expertise of Reviewers: Industrial hygiene, health physics, exposure assessment

Reviewers Selected by: NIOSH

Public Nominations Requested for Review Panel: No

Opportunities for the Public to Comment: No

Peer Reviewers Provided with Public Comments: No

Peer Reviewers

Richard Hornung
Academic and Professional Credentials: PhD
Current Position Title: Biostatistician, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Organizational Affiliation(s):
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, Relevant Experiences: Biostatistics
Recommended by Scientific/Professional Society or General Public: No

Bruce Napier
Academic and Professional Credentials: PhD
Current Position Title: Staff Scientist, Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA
Organizational Affiliation(s):
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, Relevant Experiences Health physics
Recommended by Scientific/Professional Society or General Public: No

Michael Stabin
Academic and Professional Credentials: PhD
Current Position Title: Associate Professor, Radiology and Radiological Sciences Dept., Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Organizational Affiliation(s):
Areas of Expertise, Discipline, Relevant Experiences: Radiation dosimetry, radiation safety, nuclear medicine
Recommended by Scientific/Professional Society or General Public: No

Charge to Peer Reviewers:

Review of NIOSH Document: NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA #2003-0206 - Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

This review is intended to be a technical (scientific) review of this HHEreport. The purpose of this external peer review is to ensure that the conclusions and recommendations of the draft report are consistent with the findings from our evaluation and the existing body of scientific evidence. We are asking you to provide critical and constructive comments as appropriate so that the relevance and usefulness of this HHEreport can be maximized. I would like to draw your attention to one primary recommendation in the draft report which calls for limited radiation monitoring of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) baggage screeners. This important issue has both scientific and policy implications. Therefore, we would like feedback from the peer reviewers on the need for more routine monitoring for these workers. I would appreciate it if your comments are returned to me no later than July 20, 2007.

Return Comments By: July 20, 2007
Return To: Chandran Achutan, Ph.D.

Review Questions

Please provide explanations/comments where appropriate.

1. Do the background sections (including sections pertaining to health effects of ionizing radiation) appropriately summarize information necessary for placing the methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and recommendations into proper context?
2. Are the methods described adequately?
3. Are the presentations of evaluation criteria and radiation units coherent?
4. Are the results presented well, especially considering presentation of results from multiple sites?
5. Does the discussion provide information helpful in clarifying results in terms of current workplace issues?
6. Are the conclusions supported by the results and discussion?
7. Are the recommendations appropriate, with particular attention to recommendations concerning the ongoing radiation dosimetry for TSA baggage screeners?
8. Are there any additional recommendations you think should be included in this document?
9. Additional Comments:
10. What is your recommendation for this manuscript? (Check one)
    • Approve for publication/dissemination
    • Approve after modification (please describe)
    • Not approve (please describe)