Project Profiles - Savannah River Site (SRS)

Savannah River Site Dose Reconstruction Project

The Radiation Studies Branch first became involved in health studies at Savannah River Site in 1992 following a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Energy. The Savannah River Site, located near Barnwell, South Carolina, was constructed during the early 1950s to produce the basic materials used in the fabrication of nuclear weapons, primarily tritium and plutonium-239. Our researchers completed the first phase of the project— the comprehensive data assessment and retrieval phase— in 1995. This phase involved an exhaustive records search of more than 50,000 boxes of records. Our scientists are now using this database to identify and quantify the radioactive materials and chemicals that were released during the site’s Cold War operating years. Their findings will be used to estimate of the residents’ level of exposure to these releases and the doses that they received. 

>>The Savannah River Site Searchable Bibliographic Database

>>The Savannah River Site Health Effects Subcommittee

>>More about the Savannah River Site