Nuclear industry family study: methods and description of a United Kingdom study linking occupational information held by employers to reproduction and child health

Abstract

Objectives-To describe the methods used in the nuclear industry family study for which a comprehensive database has been assembled that links employment in the nuclear industry and dosimetry records to information on employees' reproductive health and the health of their children. To discuss the response rates and characteristics of the study population. Methods-Occupational cohort design leading to a retrospective cohort study of reproductive outcomes reported by 46 396 current and former employees of both sexes in the nuclear industry. Employees of nuclear establishments in the United Kingdom operated by the Atomic Energy Authority, the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and British Nuclear Fuels were surveyed with postal questionnaires to collect information on pregnancies, children, and periods of infertility. Information on employment and monitoring for ionising radiation was supplied by the employing nuclear authority and was linked to pregnancies and periods of infertility with unique personal identification numbers. Results-The design and completion of this study resulted in high quality data on a representative population of the Atomic Energy Authority, Atomic Weapons Establishment, and British Nuclear Fuels workforces. The response to the survey was extremely good (82% for male workers and 88% for female workers, excluding undelivered questionnaires), and a unique relational database has been created which will enable infertility, pregnancy, and child health outcomes to be examined with respect to the employment and radiation monitoring characteristics of parents. Conclusion-This is the first United Kingdom study to link detailed reproductive history data to occupational information held by employers. The methods developed for the study were found to be feasible and successful. The design can be adapted for other investigations of reproductive hazards to men and women in the workplace and is currently in use to survey over 100 000 armed forces personnel in an investigation of reproductive outcome among veterans of the Gulf war. (Occup Environ Med 1999;56:793-801)

The study of reproductive outcome and the health of offspring of UK veterans of the Gulf war: methods and description of the study population

“…As in previous studies [13-15] the method was found to be feasible and enabled collection of a considerable amount of information on a range of different reproductive outcomes. However the study did have a fairly low response rate and the issue of selection (responder) bias needs to be addressed.…”

Primary infertility in nuclear industry employees: report from the nuclear industry family study

“…Workers who had at least one such radiation record are referred to in this study as “monitored workers”. Natural background radiation was excluded and appropriate adjustments were made for factors such as the minimum detection dose value (threshold dose) of the dosimeter and for missing badges 10. Also, employees who are potentially exposed to radioactive substances are investigated for possible internal contamination.…”

“…Also, employees who are potentially exposed to radioactive substances are investigated for possible internal contamination. The type of information provided on this internal monitoring varied between authorities, but all employers provided the calendar year in which an employee was monitored for the first time for potential internal contamination by any radionuclide 10. All workers for whom such a date existed are referred to in this study as internally monitored workers.…”