|
The Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission
was established in 1946 to investigate
the effects of radiation exposure in survivors of the atomic
bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In April 1975, the Radiation
Effects Research Foundation (RERF) was established as full
successor to the original Commission and was designated to continue
the research according to an agreement between the Governments
of the United States and Japan. The Act of Endowment states
that the objective of the Foundation is "to conduct research
and studies, for peaceful purposes, on the medical effects of
radiation on man and on diseases which may be affected by radiation,
with a view to contributing to the maintenance of the health
and welfare of atomic bomb survivors and to the enhancement
of the health of all mankind." The DOE is committed to the support
of the RERF as long as valuable health effects informaiton is
to be gained by further follow-up of the survivors (see Blue
Ribbon Panel Report on RERF). Through cooperative agreement
with DOE, the Nuclear
and Radiation Studies Board of The National Academies
supports RERF activities.
|
