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The article covers a workshop on the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) Programme from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) designed to bring awareness to the Canadian radiation profession. Particular attention is given to the topic of data-sharing discussed at the workshop.

Children have a higher chance of being contaminated by radioactive materials during a radiological or nuclear (RN) emergency. They are more sensitive to radiation health effects and suffer more significant psychosocial impacts than adults during emergency response. This paper presents a summary of recommendations on effective management of children during an RN emergency. These recommendations intend to be additional considerations for existing RN response protocols and procedures implemented at local, state/provincial, or national level.

Population monitoring is an important component of radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness and response. Since 2002, Canada has been investing in developing national capabilities in radiological population monitoring. This paper summarizes Canada's efforts in developing methods and techniques in biological dosimetry and in vivo and in vitro bioassay techniques. There are still many gaps to fill that require further efforts. Integration of different monitoring methods and techniques in order to have the best assessment of radiation dose to support medical management and integration of Canada's efforts with international efforts are recommended.

Total filterable mercury (TFM) and lead-210 ((210)Pb) were measured for a one-year air particulate sample series collected weekly at Resolute (74.7 degrees N, 95.0 degrees W), a Canadian high Arctic site, during July 1999 and June 2000. The measurements showed a clear time lag of two months between the peak concentrations of TFM and (210)Pb.

The age dependence of the natural concentration of uranium and thorium in the skeleton was investigated using human vertebrae bone collected from two Canadian locations (Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Regina, Saskatchewan). The concentration of both radioelements in digested ashed bone samples was determined using sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The geometric means for uranium level in bones showed a significant statistical difference between the two locations studied. Similarly for thorium, a statistical difference was observed, although this difference was considered marginal. The thorium concentration differed only marginally with respect to age group, indicating that its behavior in the body could be age-independent. Conversely, the uranium level in bones was found to change for the age groups tested, an indication of age-specific deposition. The age profile for uranium was comparable to the calcium turn-over rate, indicating that uranium deposition is probably, in part, dictated by this metabolic process, showing the role of present uptake into the uranium concentration in bones for populations exposed to significant uranium intake.