Guidance from the SAC

2021 Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting

 

Each year, the SAC provides feedback for the USTUR’s faculty and staff. This feedback comes in the form of comments on the work that the USTUR is conducting, and recommendations as to what the USTUR should focus on in the coming year.

Comments on Previous Recommendations

1. We recommended further improvements in the credentials of staff. We also recommend improvements in the number of publications in the area of Radiochemistry. We also recommended further communications and interactions with individual leaders and professors at WSU.
   We understand the COVID impact on these recommendations and will renew these recommendations for next year. We applaud the efforts toward working with the WSU staff.
2. We recommended specific Measurement Quality Objectives (MQOs) for accuracy and precision, and for the Minimal Quantitation Activity/Level (MQA/MQL) and for specific levels of activity should be included in the DQO/QAP document.
   Much work has been performed in calculating the sensitivity and accuracy capabilities for all radionuclides, organs, and chemical forms. These still need to be captured as MQOs at a specified level for use as QC objectives.
3. We recommended further efforts to collect samples from living registrants to be sent to a contract laboratory without PII information.
   We recognized much progress has been made toward this objective and hope to see it implemented soon.
4. We recommended annual updating of the long-range strategic plan by monitoring progress towards benchmarks.
   The plan was updated. Progress was reported on the DQO Plan. Research presentations were made on other benchmarks.
5. We recommended that the SAC Operating Committee Policy and Procedure be reviewed and revised.
   We did not see a revision of the SAC Operating Committee Policy and Procedure.
6. We recommended that collaboration in the area of statistics be included in research projects.
   Joey’s research fulfilled this recommendation in a good way.
7. We recommended increased participation of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in USTUR research projects to enhance mutually beneficial activities with WSU.
   We recognize the efforts to meet this goal and the difficulty with COVID to make it happen.
8. We recommended the USTUR support and participate in the Herbert M. Parker Memorial Symposium as an approach to enhance interactions with WSU Tri-Cities and the local scientific community.
   We recognize the heavy involvement with the Parker Symposium and the impact of COVID on the execution.
9. We recommended completion of Standard Operation and Policy Procedures for 1) control, release, and potential return of tissue and data from the USTUR archives; 2) USTUR pre-submission review and approval of all publications prior to submission of publication; and update for 3) providing access to information of Registrants to ensure access is provided to only legitimate representatives.
   We recognize the completion of these recommendations in a good manner.

Observations

1. We recognize the significant effort being made to database harmonization and applaud that effort.
2. We are pleased to see the collaboration with the Million Person Study, EURADOS, NCRP, JCCRER, ORISE, LANL, and other efforts. These collaborations elevate the importance and demonstrate the utility of the USTUR.
3. We recognize that significant updates have been made on policies and procedures and would like to see that continue for other policies and procedures.

Recommendations

1. We recognize the need for investments in capital equipment and infrastructure. We recommend funding for these be requested in the next 5-year submission and/or from donors.
2. We recommend that the 20-year-old Radiochemistry Quality Assurance Plan be updated.
3. We recommend that a USTUR overall Quality Assurance Plan be developed that includes software quality assurance and data backup practices.
4. We recommend that MDAs and MQAs be specified as MQOs for sensitivity, accuracy, and precision at specific levels of activity. We recommend that the MDA be set at the 2 nCi or 5% of the Annual Limit of Intake (ALI). We recommend that the MQA be set at 10 times the MDA. Also, consider using batch blank results for calculation total random uncertainties.
5. We continue to recommend improvements in the number of publications in the area of Radiochemistry. These may include the work with developing DQOs and MQOs.
6. We continue to recommend increased participation of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in USTUR research projects to enhance mutually beneficial activities with WSU.
7. We again recommend tracking progress towards benchmarks established in the 5 and 10-year plans and updating the plans annually.