Dr. Knut
Ringen
Principal Investigator
2610 SW 151 Place
Seattle, WA 98166
Phone: 206-444-9811
Fax: 206-444-9832
E-mail: rknut@uswest.net
Number of Human Subjects projects reported: 2
"Hanford Building Trades Medical Screening Project"
See also: PNNL-97-5_V
Principal Investigator: Dr. Knut Ringen, The Center to Protect Workers' Rights
Project started in: 1996
Funding for Human Subjects Research:
This project does not involve the use of multiple protocols/subprojects.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review:
Type of Review: Expedited
Approving Institution: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Most recent approval: 05/01/00
IRB approval number: PNNL IRB No. 97-5
Number of human subjects who participated in this project/protocol/subproject in the last reporting period: 900
Reporting period for number of human subjects:
Fiscal Year 2000 (10/1/99-9/30/2000)
Type(s) of Human Subjects Involvement:
A. Objective: To implement a notification, health evaluation, including medical screening, and
intervention program for former building and construction trades workers at the DOE Hanford
site who may have been exposed to health hazards as a result of working at Hanford.
Specific objectives:
1. Identify and locate former workers who are consider "at risk".
2. Ascertain the health concerns of workers identified in Phase I.
3. Communicate risk information to the workers and discuss actions to be taken.
4. Provide medical screening.
5. Assist in coordination of referrals, diagnostic work up, and follow-up treatment.
6. Ensure dialogue with local parties concerned with the project.
7. Evaluation project impact, including former workers satisfaction with the project.
B. Methodology:
1. To identify and locate workers, review of contractor records, various outreach techniques will
be implemented. Current addresses of workers will be sought through a variety of avenues.
2. To ascertain risks and health concerns, information will be gathered on employment and
occupational exposure history through an interview.
3. Medical examinations will be provided by pre-approved medical providers.
4. The examining physician will recommend and assist in making referral decisions.
5. An evaluation system has been developed and implemented to assure participant satisfaction.
C. Ionizing radiation: Not applicable.
D. Involvement of human subjects:
A work history interview is conducted with all participants. A database questionnaire is used to
collect information about a workers work history. There are minimal risks to participants in this
program. All personal data is coded and encrypted and maintained in separate data bases and kept
strictly confidential. Participants are well informed of the purpose of the program and are
consented at various stages of the program.
"The Augusta Building Trades Medical Screening Program for the Savannah River Site"
Principal Investigator: Dr. Knut Ringen, The Center to Protect Workers' Rights
Project started in: 1997
Funding for Human Subjects Research:
This project does not involve the use of multiple protocols/subprojects.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review:
Type of Review: Full Board
Approving Institution: Savannah River Site
Most recent approval: 02/17/00
IRB approval number: ESH-MED-2000-000014
Number of human subjects who participated in this project/protocol/subproject in the last reporting period: 1000
Reporting period for number of human subjects:
Fiscal Year 2000 (10/1/99-9/30/2000)
Type(s) of Human Subjects Involvement:
A. Objective: To implement a notification, health evaluation, including medical screening, and
intervention program for former building and construction trades workers at the DOE Savannah River site who may have been exposed to health hazards as result of prior work at SRS.
Specific objectives:
1. Identify and locate former workers who are consider "at risk".
2. Ascertain the health concerns of workers identified in Phase I.
3. Communicate risk information to the workers and discuss actions to be taken.
4. Provide medical screening.
5. Assist in coordination of referrals, diagnostic work up, and follow-up treatment.
6. Ensure dialogue with local parties concerned with the project.
7. Evaluation project impact, including former workers satisfaction with the project.
B. Methodology:
1. To identify and locate workers, review of contractor records, various outreach techniques will
be implemented. Current addresses of workers will be sought through a variety of avenues.
2. To ascertain risks and health concerns, information will be gathered on employment and
occupational exposure history through an interview.
3. Medical examinations will be provided by pre-approved medical providers.
4. The examining physician will recommend and assist in making referral decisions.
5. An evaluation system has been developed and implemented to assure participant satisfaction.
C. Ionizing radiation: Not applicable.
D. Involvement of human subjects:
A work history interview is conducted with all participants. A database questionnaire is used to
collect information about a workers work history. There are minimal risks to participants in this
program. All personal data is coded and encrypted and maintained in separate data bases and kept
strictly confidential. Participants are well informed of the purpose of the program and are
consented at various stages of the program.