Radiation Effects Research Foundation

Abbreviation| RERF
Predecessor| Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission
Formation| April 1, 1975; 51 years ago (1975-04-01)
Founded at| Hiroshima, Japan
Leader| Dr. Ohtsura Niwa

The Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) is a joint U.S.-Japan research organization responsible for studying the medical effects of radiation and associated diseases in humans for the welfare of the survivors and all humankind.[1] The organization is located in Hiroshima, Japan.

The studies have been going on for 70 years, which makes RERF the only institution that has been conducting epidemiological studies on a population of more than 120,000 individuals for this long.[2] RERF continues to conduct research until this day because the effects of A-bomb radiation on human health have not been fully elucidated.[1]

RERF conducts research in multiple fields of science including epidemiology, clinical medicine, genetics, and immunology.[2] Findings from RERF’s studies have been used not only for the medical care and welfare of the A-bomb survivors but also for the establishment of international radiation protection standards.[2]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Research Programs[3]
* 2.1 Life Span Study
* 2.2 Adult Health Study
* 2.3 Children of Atomic-bomb Survivors Study
* 2.4 In Utero Study
* 2.5 Radiation Biology
* 2.6 Immunology
* 2.7 Molecular Epidemiology
* 2.8 Cytogenetics
* 2.9 Statistics
* 2.10 Atomic-bomb Dosimetry
* 3 Facilities
* 4 References
* 5 External links

## History

The preceding organization to RERF was the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission which was established in 1948 by the U.S National Academy of Sciences.[2] It was established to determine how, over long-term, exposure to radiation affected the health of A-bomb survivors.[1]

An extensive interview survey was conducted in the 1950s, based on which records were compiled for each A-bomb survivor.[1] These records concerned location and structure of the building the survivor may have been at the time of the bombing. Based on these records, radiation doses were calculated for most A-bomb survivors.[1]

RERF was established on April 1, 1975, as a nonprofit foundation under the jurisdiction of the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health and Welfare.[1] On April 1, 2012, RERF transitioned to a public interest incorporated foundation upon authorization by Japan’s Prime Minister.[3]

## Research Programs[3]

RERF studies the effects of radiation on the survivors of the atomic bombings in Japan.

### Life Span Study

This study gathers samples from the general population of both sexes and all ages. It is the most informative epidemiological study in the world, because of its long duration. It provides information about cancer incidence, cancer mortality and non-cancer effects on the survivors. RERF wants to continue the studies for complete lifetimes of the participants.

### Adult Health Study

This is a clinical study of a sub-cohort of the Life Span Study, conducted every two years. It is investigating age and radiation-related physiological changes.

### Children of Atomic-bomb Survivors Study

The study’s goal is to determine whether genetic effects may appear in the children of the atomic bomb survivors. RERF has observed no radiation effects in the study of birth defects, chromosome abnormalities, and serum proteins. Currently, molecular studies on DNA are being conducted.

### In Utero Study

This study investigates the effects of radiation on the people who were in utero at the time of the bombing (about 3,600 persons).

### Radiation Biology

Radiation biology studies seek to understand the result of physical phenomena involved in radiation response. The studies are directed to DNA indications that cause breast and thyroid cancer.

### Immunology

This study focuses on the changes in the immune system of people exposed to atomic-bomb radiation.

### Molecular Epidemiology

This is a newly emerging field of study at RERF, which investigates the radiation effects by looking at molecular changes in DNA. It is used to understand the mechanisms and causes of disease better.

### Cytogenetics

Cytogenetics helps assess radiation exposure (biological dosimetry) by evaluating the structural damage in chromosomes.

### Statistics

This study assesses the risks through the application of mathematical models to rates of disease occurrence or death to identify radiation effects. The statisticians also take part in other studies done at RERF to develop better methods for analysis of data.

### Atomic-bomb Dosimetry

This study provides survivors with radiation exposure dose estimates, based on the knowledge of physics and sensitive measurements that detect minute traces of the atomic bomb radiation in various materials. The information is also combined with historical interview data.

## Facilities

RERF has 2 facilities: one based in Hiroshima and one in Nagasaki.[3]

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Introduction to Radiation Effects Research Foundation. (1995). Radiation Effects Research Foundation, pp.1-3. Available at: http://rerf.jp/shared/introd/introRERFe.pdf [Accessed 26 Feb. 2018].
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 A Brief Description. (2014). Radiation Effects Research Foundation, p.1. Available at: http://rerf.jp/shared/briefdescript/briefdescript_e.pdf [Accessed 26 Feb. 2018].
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Radiation Effects Research Foundation". http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/.

## External links

* Radiation Effects Research Foundation Home website in English and Japanese

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