Ga Rep. Paul Broun-sponsored radiation bill passes House

A bill authorizing the Department of Energy to investigate health effects of low dose ionizing radiation, the Low-Dose Radiation Research Act of 2014 or H.R. 5544, passed the House of Representatives on Monday.  U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga), an outgoing congressman representing Georgia's 10th district, is the bill sponsor.

Low-dose ionizing radiation is linked to development of solid cancers and leukemia. Health care workers are usually monitored and protected from radiation, but no such protections are in place for patients.  There is also not enough research on overall effects of ionizing radiation.  

"Sufficient data is not available for experts to definitely conclude whether there are risks from this low dose radiation," Broun said. "As a medical doctor, and a true fiscal conservative, I recognize that this major gap in understanding is detrimental to the health of Americans and will contribute to the unnecessary economic burdens if we do not deal with it immediately."

Once the bill becomes law, the director of the Department of Energy Office of Science will have 18 months to finish the project.  Among other things, the study will have to identify any scientific challenges in understanding long-term effects of ionizing radiation, establish scientific goals for future research in the field, and assess the cost-benefit effectiveness of such a program.

The legislation passed the House without any opposition. It is expected to pass the Senate without much debate as well.

Broun, who unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate this year, is leaving office on Jan. 3, 2015.