International coordination of research: EPRI International Dose Effect Alliance

Abstract

Purpose: The key to increasing our understanding of low dose effects of ionizing radiation is cooperation and communication between research organizations around the world. The purpose of this article is to describe the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) program for such cooperation.Materials and methods: EPRI is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to research support for the generation, transmission, and utilization of electricity. As part of its robust program, EPRI has sought to support research into low dose ionizing radiation health effects. Starting in 2016, one piece of the radiation safety program has been the International Dose Effect Alliance (IDEA), the mission of which is to organize collaborative meetings to bring together researchers from around the world to discuss research agendas, programs, and priorities.Results: IDEA workshops were held in the fall of 2016 and 2017, and were successful in starting the dialogue toward increased collaboration within the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. EPRI supports global collaboration and cooperation as a key opportunity to build upon the work being undertaken throughout the world to create a unified effort to answer the questions of low dose and dose rate ionizing radiation health effects. The International Workshop on the Biological Effects of Radiation, which was held in Osaka, Japan in March 2018, provided a further opportunity to expand upon the initiative for global collaboration.Conclusions: Significant advances are being achieved through the IDEA program, and the Osaka workshop held in Japan in March 2018 has further contributed to the initiative.