Welcoming Remarks WELCOME TO THE FIFTIETH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NCRP: ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE FUTURE John D. Boice, Jr.* THESE ARE exciting, challenging, and sobering times for the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and the nation. The 11 March 2011 Fukushima nuclear reactor accident brought into vivid focus the need to update radiation guidance and improve risk communication. The 2007 International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations generated interest and action around the world and coincide with U.S. initiatives to update and revise our protection regulations. The remarkable increase in public exposure to medical radiological imaging (over 85 million computed tomography exams per year!) accentuates the need for continued protection guidance in the medical arena and in other circumstances involving the beneficial uses of ionizing radiation. There is the concern, also, of terrorist actions using radiation sources for destructive as well as psychological effects. Responding effectively to these societal issues is being hampered by the decline in the numbers of competent radiation protection professionals. The vision for the future of radiation protection is captured in the 2014 Annual Meeting titled, “NCRP: Achievements of the Past 50 years and Addressing the Needs of the Future.” An informative and pictorial summary appeared in the April 2014 issue of Health Physics News written by Richard E. Toohey with photos by Genevieve S. Roessler (Toohey 2014). The full proceedings are published in this issue of Health Physics as a series of peer-reviewed articles. On behalf of NCRP, I also would like to thank Drs. Kenneth R. Kase (Honorary Vice President, NCRP) and Jerrold T. Bushberg (University of California, Davis) for their leadership of the Program Committee, and also *National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 400, Bethesda, MD 20814‐3095. The author declares no conflicts of interest. For correspondence contact the author at the above address, or email at [email protected]. (Manuscript accepted 20 October 2014) 0017-9078/15/0 Copyright © 2014 Health Physics Society DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000000242

express appreciation to the other members of the Program Committee: James A. Brink (Massachusetts General Hospital), S.Y. Chen (Illinois Institute of Technology), Raymond A. Guilmette (Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute), Kathryn D. Held (Massachusetts General Hospital), Paul Locke (Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health), Donald L. Miller (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), John W. Poston (Texas A&M University), Kathryn H. Pryor (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), and Richard E. Toohey (M.H. Chew and Associates). They organized and produced a superb, informative, and captivating Annual Meeting! NCRP and the Radiation Research Society (RRS) were pleased to welcome the second NCRP/RRS Scholars to this year’s Annual Meeting. The three young scientists below received competitive travel awards made possible by the generosity of RRS. This initiative is aimed at encouraging and retaining young scientists in the field of radiation science. Eligible applicants included junior faculty or students in the radiation sciences or junior health or medical physicists: • Jason D. Domogauer, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School; • Roy Kong Kwan Lam, City University of Hong Kong (unable to attend); and • Ianik Plante, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center. Continued improvements or enhancements for the 2014 Annual Meeting include: • written questions during the meeting and published/ posted answers; • live webcasting of presentations and availability on the NCRP website; • brief bios and photographs in the program of all participants along with detailed and informative extended abstracts of each presentation; • goal for proceedings to be published in 2014 but definitely before the March 2015 meeting; • brief “email” survey after the meeting for suggestions on how to improve and topics for future meetings; 111

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• continuing the reception line for both the Sinclair Keynote Speaker and the Taylor Lecturer and families; and • rapidly publishing a summary in Health Physics News.

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NCRP IN 2013 The 2013 calendar year was productive with the publication of NCRP commentaries, reports, proceedings, and scientific articles. These include: • NCRP Report No. 174, Preconception and Prenatal Radiation Exposure: Health Effects and Protective Guidance (Chaired by Robert L. Brent); • NCRP Report No. 171, Uncertainties in the Estimation of Radiation Risks and Probability of Disease Causation (Chaired by R. Julian Preston) was published in 2012, but a commentary by the scientific committee (SC) was published in the scientific literature in 2013 (Preston et al. 2013). Publishing a summary of completed NCRP reports and commentaries in the broader scientific literature is enthusiastically encouraged as a way to reach broader audiences; • NCRP Report No. 173, Investigation of Radiological Incidents (Chaired by David S. Myers), was published in 2012, and a brief overview appeared in the May 2013 issue of Health Physics News by Kathryn H. Pryor and David S. Myers (Pryor and Myers 2013); • The Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting in 2012 on “Emerging Issues in Radiation Protection in Medicine, Emergency Response, and then Nuclear Fuel Cycle,” admirably chaired by Richard E. Toohey, were published in November 2013 in Health Physics (NCRP 2013). An informative summary appeared in the April 2012 issue of Health Physics News; • The 2012 Proceedings included the 36th Lauriston S. Taylor Lecture on Radiation Protection and Measurements by Antone L. Brooks, “From the Field to the Laboratory and Back: The What Ifs, Wows, and Who Cares of Radiation Biology” (Brooks 2013) and the 9th Annual Warren K. Sinclair Keynote Address by Fred A. Mettler, Jr., “Effects of Childhood Radiation Exposure: An Issue from Computed Tomography Scans to Fukushima” (Mettler et al. 2013); and • Guidance on computed tomography use in emergency medicine was published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology (Sierzenski et al. 2014a) and in the Annals of Emergency Medicine (Sierzenski et al. 2014b).

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NCRP is continuing to move forward to address the evolving and challenging issues of radiation protection facing our nation. Anticipated publications in 2014–2015 include:



• NCRP Report No. 175, Decision Making for LatePhase Recovery from Nuclear or Radiological Incidents (Chaired by S.Y. Chen). An overview summary



of the report by Anne Nisbet and S.Y. Chen will appear in the Annals of the ICRP; The WARP initiative (Where are the Radiation Professionals? A National Crisis) was approved by the Council for publication as a statement (only the 11th such statement in NCRP history); NCRP commentary on radiation protection issues for astronauts (Chairs: Dudley Goodhead and R. Julian Preston); NCRP statement on managing dose and deterministic injuries associated with fluoroscopically guided interventions (Chair: Stephen Balter); NCRP commentary on sealed radioactive sources (Chair: Kathryn H. Pryor); NCRP commentary on patient dose and computed tomography (Chair: Mannu Kalra); NCRP commentary on integrating basic science with epidemiological studies on low-dose radiation effects (Chairs: Sally A. Amundson and Jonine L. Bernstein); NCRP report on biological effectiveness of low-energy radiations (Chair: Steven L. Simon); NCRP peer-review report on Operation Tomodachi radiation dose assessment (Chair: John E. Till); NCRP commentary on radiation safety aspects of nanotechnology (Chairs: Mark D. Hoover and David S. Myers); and The Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting Proceedings in 2013, “Population Dose and Impact on Exposed Populations” (Chairs: S.Y. Chen and Bruce A. Napier), was planned to be published in the same year as the meeting was held. This is a new attempt to make our publications more timely and accessible. We were a bit short for this first attempt, but the proceedings will be published in early 2014. Ongoing activities include: NCRP report on deriving organ doses and their uncertainty for epidemiologic studies (Guidance for the One Million U.S. Radiation Workers and Veterans Study) (Chair: Andre Bouville); NCRP report on communicating radiation risks and Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidance (Chair: Julie K. Timins); NCRP report on protection in dentistry (Chairs: Alan G. Lurie and Mel L. Kantor); SC 1–23 is providing a fresh look at the radiation protection issues for the lens of the eye (Chairs: Eleanor A. Blakely and Lawrence T. Dauer); SC 1–24 has begun to look at radiation exposures in space and the potential for effects on the central nervous system (Chairs: Leslie A. Braby and Richard Nowakowski); SC 3‐1, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, is addressing the complex issues of dosimetry for emergency responders in

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Welcome c J. D. BOICE JR

the event of an improvised nuclear device going off in a city (Chairs: Adela Salame-Alfie and Stephen V. Musolino); • The Million Worker and Veteran Study continues with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The study will address the level of risk when healthy individuals receive radiation gradually over a period of years; and • Council Committee 1 updating NCRP Report No. 116 (NCRP 1993) on basic recommendations for radiation protection in the United States (Chairs: John D. Boice and Kenneth R. Kase). Possible committee and NCRP activities being considered in 2014 and beyond include: • Council Committee 2 on training, engaging and retaining radiation scientists to address our national needs—the WARP initiative; • approaches to improve radiation risk communication, perception and outreach [creation of a new Program Area Committee (PAC 7)]; • environmental radiation such as tritium, 14C and 226Ra from manmade and natural sources and technologically enhanced, naturally occurring radioactive material (e.g., fracking); • radiation exposures in space and an in-depth look at protection issues surrounding the potential for central nervous system effects; • issues surrounding mobile phone, radiofrequency, and other nonionizing radiation uses; and • expanding our efforts in medicine, such as quality management in radiological medical imaging, electronically tracking patient exposures, and collaborating on the update of Radiation Risk: A Primer (ACR 1996) published by the American College of Radiology in the 1990s. Finally we plan to continue these general NCRP activities in 2014: • partnering with RRS to provide travel awards for young scientists to attend the annual meeting; • encouraging each Council member to be associated with a PAC and having more frequent PAC meetings; • developing approaches to broaden our financial integrity (e.g., a resource committee has been formed and will meet in December 2014); • becoming more attuned to the modern age with Twitter, Facebook, webcasts, dynamic electronic publishing, and website development; and • participating in meetings or conferences such as those in 2014 of the ICRP; the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation; the

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RRS; the Health Physics Society; the NRC Regulatory Information Conference; the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors; the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging; Mirion Technologies; the Society for Epidemiologic Research; and seminar series sponsored by Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and Massachusetts General Hospital to increase NCRP visibility and impact. NCRP reports, activities, members, programs, and more can be found on the website (NCRP 2014). The NCRP program of activities is made possible by the partnership and financial support from many governmental agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Cancer Institute, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and U.S. Department of Defense. Gifts from our corporate sponsors and many collaborating organizations remain critical to our continued success and are gratefully acknowledged. Online opportunities to contribute to NCRP are available, and such charitable gifts are also gratefully appreciated (http://ncrponline.org/Donations/Donations.php#/). Finally, the NCRP remains a dynamic and influential organization only because of the generous contributions of time and knowledge made by Council members, PAC chairpersons, committee members, Board of Directors, senior Vice Presidents, consultants, and the NCRP staff! These are the best of times and opportunities abound. We’re only limited by our imagination. Please help NCRP as we strive together to help the nation in all things radiation! INTRODUCING THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER, DR. JERROLD T. BUSHBERG Just over 10 y ago, in 2003, Warren K. Sinclair, the second President of NCRP (1977–1991) and President Emeritus (1991–2014), made a generous contribution to NCRP that established a keynote address series named in his honor. Each year a distinguished scientist in the field of science on which the annual meeting is focused is selected to present the Warren K. Sinclair Keynote Address. This year the radiation profession was saddened to learn that Warren had died at the age of 90. He will be remembered with appreciation and affection (Boice and Schauer 2014a; 2014b). NCRP will continue to recognize Warren for his generous contribution that “keeps on giving” and continues to make this annual meeting highlight possible. The speaker receives an honorarium and a plaque commemorating this honor.

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It is now my great pleasure to introduce my friend and colleague, Jerrold T. Bushberg, as the 11th Warren K. Sinclair Keynote Speaker. Jerry is the NCRP Senior Vice President and Chairman of the NCRP Board of Directors. He is Clinical Professor of Radiology and Radiation Oncology at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. He was elected to the Council in 2002 and has served as a member or consultant on many NCRP committees including, most recently, SC 4‐3, Preconception and Prenatal Radiation Exposure: Health Effects and Protective Guidance; SC 4‐1, Reference Levels and Achievable Doses in Medical and Dental Imaging: Recommendations for the United States. He has served as a member of the NCRP Budget and Finance Committee since 2012, NCRP Nominating Committee since 2006, and the NCRP Nonionizing Radiation Advisory Panel since 2005. He chaired the 2007 Annual Meeting Program Committee and was a member of the committee for the 1999, 2010, 2011, and 2014 annual meetings. Dr. Bushberg was Scientific Vice President for PAC 4, Radiation Protection in Medicine. Jerry was elected to the NCRP Board of Directors in 2005 and has served as Chairman since 2011. NCRP is honored that Dr. Bushberg has made so many contributions to our Council throughout his career. Jerry is a recognized expert on the biological effects and safety of ionizing and nonionizing radiation in medicine. He has published numerous articles and book chapters in this area and has been awarded several U.S. patents for innovative radiation detection technology. The 2011 textbook, The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging (3rd ed.), authored by Bushberg, Seibert, Leidholdt, and Boone, is used extensively by radiology residency and biomedical engineering programs throughout North America. His presentation is titled Science, Radiation Protection and the NCRP: Building on the Past, Looking to the Future. REFERENCES American College of Radiology. Radiation risk: a primer. Reston, VA: ACR; 1996. Boice JD Jr, Schauer DA. International expert in radiation protection, science and medicine Warren Keith Sinclair (1924 to 2014) [online]. Bethesda, MD: National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements; 2014a. Available at www. ncrponline.org/Press_Rel/2014/WKS_obit.pdf. Accessed 28 September 2014.

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Boice JD Jr, Schauer DA. Warren Keith Sinclair (1924 to 2014). J Radiol Protect 34:709–712; 2014b. Brooks AL. From the field to the laboratory and back: the what ifs, wows, and who cares of radiation biology. Health Phys 105: 407–421; 2013. Mettler FA Jr, Constine LS, Nosske D, Shore RE. Ninth annual Warren K. Sinclair keynote address effects of childhood radiation exposure: an issue from computed tomography scans to Fukushima. Health Phys 105:424–429; 2013. Napier B. NCRP 49th annual meeting radiation dose and the impacts on exposed populations. Health Phys News XLI:1–7; 2013. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Limitation of exposure to ionizing radiation. Bethesda, MD: NCRP; Report No. 116; 1993. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Emerging issues in radiation protection in medicine, emergency response, and the nuclear fuel cycle. Health Phys 105:401–477; 2013. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements [online]. Bethesda, MD: NCRP; 2014. Available at www. ncrponline.org. Accessed 28 September 2014. Preston RJ, Boice JD Jr, Brill AB, Chakraborty R, Conolly R, Hoffman FO, Hornung RW, Kocher DC, Land CE, Shore RE, Woloshak GE. Uncertainties in estimating health risks associated with exposure to ionising radiation. J Radiol Prot 33:573–588; 2013. Pryor K, Myers D. NCRP news. NCRP report no. 173, investigation of radiological incidents. Health Phys News XLI:17–19; 2013. Sierzenski PR, Linton OW, Amis ES Jr, Courtney DM, Larson PA, Mahesh M, Novelline RA, Frush DP, Mettler FA, Timins JK, Tenforde TS, Boice JD Jr, Brink JA, Bushberg JT, Schauer DA. Applications of justification and optimization in medical imaging: examples of clinical guidance for computed tomography use in emergency medicine. J Am Coll Radiol 11:36–44; 2014a. Sierzenski PR, Linton OW, Amis ES Jr, Courtney DM, Larson PA, Mahesh M, Novelline RA, Frush DP, Mettler FA, Timins JK, Tenforde TS, Boice JD Jr, Brink JA, Bushberg JT, Schauer DA. Applications of justification and optimization in medical imaging: examples of clinical guidance for computed tomography use in emergency medicine. Ann Emerg Med 63:25–32; 2014b. Toohey RE. NCRP 50th annual meeting achievements of the past 50 years and addressing the needs of the future. Health Phys News XLII:1–8; 2014. Toohey RE, Tenforde TS, Schauer DS, Boice JD Jr. NCRP forty-eighth annual meeting: “emerging issues in radiation protection in medicine, emergency response, and the nuclear fuel cycle.” Health Phys News XL:1, 3–7; 2012.

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Welcome to the Fiftieth Annual Meeting of the NCRP: achievements of the past 50 years and addressing the needs of the future.

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