The Hanford thyroid disease study

This paper is intended to provide an overview of the Hanford Thyroid Disease study. It briefly describes the historical framework for the project, summarizes the design of the study, reviews the experience gained thus far in conducting the pilot phase of the investigation. and concludes with an overview of plans to complete the full study. The Hanford Nuclear Site occupies an area of approximately 560 square miles in eastern Washington State, adjacent to the towns of Pasco, Richland, and Kennewick. Much of the northern and eastern border of the Site is formed by the Columbia River. The facility was established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project to produce plutonium for the development of the first nuclear weapons