United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1995-06-06 monographic deposited born digital 30 p. GA 1.13:RCED-95-126 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-126 P0b002ee180378519 f:rc95126 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-126 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-126 RCED-95-126 Federal records management Computerized information systems Data bases Health research programs Working conditions Radiation exposure hazards Health hazards Information dissemination operations Data integrity Statistical data DOE Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource System Letter Report RCED Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) epidemiological data base, focusing on: (1) whether the current DOE data base functions as a comprehensive repository of epidemiological data about DOE workers and the communities surrounding DOE facilities; (2) whether the system is accessible to outside researchers; and (3) DOE future plans for the system.<p/>GAO found that: (1) the current DOE epidemiological data base is not as comprehensive as originally envisioned because it lacks uniform data on laboratory workers' exposure to radiation and other hazardous substances and the health of these workers and residents near DOE facilities; (2) although DOE is trying to standardize its data and develop a more comprehensive employee health surveillance program, it will be at least 3 years before these goals are reached; (3) although the data base is easily accessible, few independent researchers have used it because the data is of limited value for new research; (4) data problems include the lack of raw or updated data, missing and inconsistent data elements, and inadequate research documentation; (5) in order to get complete information, researchers often have to examine original records at DOE facilities, which may be difficult to obtain; (6) DOE is uncertain whether the data base will ever be as comprehensive as originally envisioned and it has not undertaken specific long-range plans to make it a comprehensive system; and (7) DOE has not assessed whether the current data base or an alternative system would be the most cost-effective and practical means of providing researchers with needed data. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-126/html/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-126.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-126/pdf/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-126.pdf GAO/RCED-95-126 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-95-126 Letter Report GAO/RCED-95-126; Health and Safety: DOE's Epidemiological Data Base Has Limited Value for Research; Federal records management Computerized information systems Data bases Health research programs Working conditions Radiation exposure hazards Health hazards Information dissemination operations Data integrity Statistical data DOE Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource System