Historical dose reconstruction project: estimating the population at risk

This paper discusses methods used to estimate the size and location of the populations that lived around the Feed Materials Production Center near Ross, Ohio, from 1950 through 1990. This information will support an historical dose reconstruction for environmental exposures to radionuclides from this facility that is currently being done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through a contract with Radiological Assessments Corporation. Available sources of data include (1) the U.S. Census, Ohio Township data; (2) the U.S. Census, Ohio Township block data; and (3) U.S. Geological Survey topographical maps that show structures. A distribution of age and sex is estimated that, together with population estimates, will provide information needed to estimate collective dose rates over time and to examine the feasibility of studying the relationship between exposure to radionuclides released from the Feed Materials Production Center and adverse health outcomes.