Guidance from the SAC

2022 Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting

 

Comments on Previous 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.
   We appreciate the investment in new hoods in the laboratory. See recommendations below.
2. We recommend that the 20-year-old Radiochemistry Quality Assurance Plan be updated.
   We appreciate the effort made for the QA Plan Update. See recommendation for addition below.
3. We recommend that a USTUR overall Quality Assurance Plan be developed that includes software quality assurance and data backup practices.
   Included in above.
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.
   We appreciate the effort made toward specifying MQOs. See additional recommendation below.
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.
   We appreciate the significance of Dan and George’s paper on the Measurand in meeting this objective. See related recommendations below.
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.
   We appreciate the effort made toward increased participation of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in USTUR research projects. See additional recommendation below.
7. We again recommend tracking progress towards benchmarks established in the 5 and 10-year plans and updating the plans annually.
   We appreciate the significant progress towards benchmarks established in the 5- and 10-year plans and updating the plans annually. We encourage continuance of this progress.

Observations

1. We think that significant work is being done in publications and the use of the data to advance scientific knowledge in distribution and metabolism of radionuclides in the body after intake. We believe the USTUR should be promoted based on these efforts. Perhaps these studies can be used to further knowledge of metabolism of non-radioactive elements, such as calcium distribution in bones, as well.
2. We are pleased to see the continued collaboration with the Million Person Study, EURADOS, NCRP, JCCRER, LANL and other efforts. These collaborations elevate the importance and demonstrate the utility of the USTUR.
3. We are glad to see progress on the urine analysis program by collecting samples for analysis and plans for follow-up.
4. We also recognize the significant progress in improving the database harmonization.
5. We recognize the difficulties in lab production due to COVID and the difficulty with the hoods. We are glad to see the infrastructure upgrades and efforts to resume.
6. We support the idea of requesting out-of-cycle salary increases for staff.

Recommendations

1. We recommended that a budget be considered for saving for further infrastructure upgrades that are needed over time. We suggest that funding for the budget sought and added may be accumulated in a savings fund over time. We also recommend that a timeline schedule be developed for such upgrades.
2. We recommend including data entry quality control of Health Physics records in addition to the radiochemistry in the QA Plan.
3. We continue to recommend further publications in the area of Radiochemistry analytical measurements. These may include the work with developing DQOs and MQOs.
4. We recommend that clarity be added to the MDAs and MQAs by adding the applicable levels for the uncertainty goals for the MQA and the ties to the 2 nCi uptake monitoring objective for the MDA.
5. We continue to recommend working on increased opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows’ involvement in USTUR research projects by working with the Dean of the College of Pharmacy in his development of graduate programs. In addition, we recommend continue working to develop undergraduate opportunities as well.
6. We recommend consideration of acquiring funding for adding staff and infrastructure. Considering the uniqueness of the expertise of staff members, training of backup and replacement of staff needs to be considered for long term continuity.
7. We recommend the addition of KPA capabilities for uranium analysis.