Dose Estimation and Reporting. As directed under 42 CFR Part 82 and consistent with NIOSH technical guides, the contractor shall produce and report timely dose estimates, supporting methodology, and factual basis for each claim received by NIOSH from DOL under EEOICPA (potentially 1,500 to 8,000 dose reconstructions annually). This task will include the following: (1) The contractor shall collect and analyze all available information relevant to dose estimation/reconstruction for each individual claim and produce and transmit to NIOSH a draft report providing dose estimates, methods, and the factual basis upon which the doses were estimated, including a narrative explanation of this information understandable by claimants with a high school education. (2) Internal and external radiation dose estimates will be calculated for each organ that the claimant presents with a primary cancer. The annual dose to each organ will be calculated from the time of first exposure at a covered facility to the date of cancer diagnosis. As appropriate, a separate dose shall be computed for each type of radiation exposure received by the individual, using the exposure types provide for in the NIOSH-IREP program. These doses will be reported as equivalent dose using the weighting factors provided in the NIOSH technical guides. As part of NIOSH’s ongoing QA program, the contractor will be provided blind test claims on a periodic basis. (3) Internal dose calculations shall be performed using standard metabolic models published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). These calculations will be performed using a NIOSH supplied computer program entitled Integrated Module for Bioassay Analysis (IMBA). This program was specially created for NIOSH to perform internal dose calculations using the most recent physiologically based biokinetic models such as those contained in ICRP publications 56, 67 and 69. Inhalation intakes will be evaluated using the respiratory tract model contained in ICRP publication 66*. (4) Within 30 days of award, NIOSH will provide training on the internal dose assessment software for a maximum of six (6) contractor personnel as designated by the Contractor. Within thirty (30) days after receiving training from NIOSH, the contractor shall be responsible for providing and documenting training to members of their technical team involved in conducting dose reconstructions. Throughout contract performance, the Contractor shall provide this training and certification toany new employees prior to their performing dose reconstruction work. (5) Estimates of missed dose, due to technical limitations in monitoring technology, will be evaluated and included in the claimant’s dose reconstruction for both internal and external sources of exposure. In addition, any exposure to diagnostic x rays that were required as a condition of employment will be estimated and included in the claimant’s total organ dose. * International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). 1994. Human Respiratory Model for Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 66, Annals of the ICRP 24(1-4). Elsevier Scientific Ltd., Oxford. (6) The contractor shall review with NIOSH and revise dose reconstructions, as necessary, subject to NIOSH oversight of the dose reconstruction program. (7) The contractor shall work with NIOSH in the development of statistical procedures and assumptions that may have application for multiple dose reconstructions, including but not limited to dose reconstructions for employees in specific jobs, performing specific tasks, employed in specific facilities or sites, and related to specific time periods of employment. NIOSH will make final determinations for such procedures and assumptions, which will be consistent with requirements under 42 CFR Part 82 and NIOSH technical guides.
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