The latest research on thyroid disease, wildlife populations, beryllium exposure and Columbia River contamination in the Hanford reach area are among topics to be addressed during a two-day conference Dec. 3 and 4 in Richland, Wash.

"The Health of the Hanford Site: Current Challenges," sponsored by the University of Washington, will join scientists, workers, residents, government and Indian Nations together to discuss the latest health and safety issues at Hanford. "This is the first time we're providing a consistent system to report on the overall health of the Hanford site and identify the highest priority risks," said Dr. Scott Barnhart, director of the University of Washington Occupational Medicine Program. "The objective is not only to educate members of the public but to engage in discussion and receive feedback."

Among those presenting at the conference are members of local research companies, university faculty and experts from national and state health organizations. The event will feature poster presentations, workshops, panel discussions and demonstrations of Hanford issues focusing on ecological, community and environmental health subjects.

Highlights of presentation topics include:

• the Hanford Thyroid Disease Study
• the Hanford Medical Monitoring Program
• projected risk during cleanup at Hanford
• human exposure to Columbia River contaminants
• current and past beryllium exposure at Hanford
• trends in fall Chinook salmon populations in the Hanford Reach
• the elk population at Hanford.

The meeting is supported through funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Cost for registration is $40. For information on attending, please call (206) 685-3676.

Abstracts of conference presentations are available on the World Wide Web at http://weber.u.washington.edu/~hanford/uwhanford.html.

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