[ RadSafe ] Re:Reasonable risk?

[John Jacobus]

Sandy,
Of course, the problem is like how you and I define
risk.  How do you determine how better to protect the
worker.  Do you go with days-lost-on-the-job or mrem?

--- Sandy Perle <sandyfl at earthlink.net> wrote:

> On 21 Apr 2006 at 9:48, John Jacobus wrote:
> 
> > I take a broader definition of ALARA and do not
> have
> > the perspective you have with commerial nuclear
> power.
> >  Afterall, I would at a biomedical research
> facility,
> > have worked with the Navy Nuclear Propulsion
> Program,
> > and medical facilities.
> 
> I will be in two of the facilities next week, and
> understand their 
> differecne as compared to the NPPs I've been
> involved with.
> 
> > The underlying goal in these and many industries
> is
> > worker protection.  The difference is that in the
> > nuclear industries is that you can measure "risk"
> in
> > mrem.  Therefore, you can quantify what you do. 
> In
> > medicine, we can also measure risk from radiation
> > exposure to the patient and staff.  However, the
> > measured output is not kW/hr, but medical
> treatment. 
> > We certainly spend on radiation protection
> equipment,
> > e.g., leaded aprons, survey meters, etc.  But we
> also
> > spend on disposable gowns, gloves, pathological
> > wastes, etc.
> 
> I agree. My only point was if ALARA is mis-used,
> which I do believe, 
> then the cost savings can be applied to where
> actually needed, and 
> the result is better worker protection.
> 
> 
> > In hospitals, you have to deal with operating
> costs and profits. 
> 
> In that sense, we were the same. The need to reduce
> operating and 
> maintenance costs was essential in order to realize
> the maximum 
> profit allowed by the rate regulatory agencies.
> 
> -------------------------------------
> Sandy Perle
> 

+++++++++++++++++++
"A scientist's aim in a discussion with his colleagues is not to persuade, but to clarify." 
Leo Szilard
-- John
John Jacobus, MS
Certified Health Physicist
e-mail:  crispy_bird at yahoo.com

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