[ RadSafe ] IAEA DACs

[jjcohen at prodigy.net]

The ICRP, NCRP, and other standard setting organizations specify that their
recommended exposure limits are based solely on  radiotoxicity. One
unfortunate consequence of this policy, for example, is that if one's entire
water intake was at the limit (MPCw) for U-238 , they would be within the
limit for allowable radiation exposure, but they would soon die of heavy
metal poisoning.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Salsman" <james at bovik.org>
To: <radsafe at radlab.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 9:53 AM
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] IAEA DACs


> >... referring to the DAC values given in Table A-II of the annex
> > to IAEA Safety Standards Series No. RS-G-1.2  (Assessment of
> > Occupational Exposure due to Intakes of Radionuclides) see:
> >   http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/P077_scr.pdf
>
> I note with sadness that those derived air concentration exposure
> limits are based only on radiotoxicity, completely ignoring the
> chemical toxicity of the isotopes involved; many of which pose
> a far greater chemical than radiological hazard.  There isn't even
> a footnote or a disclaimer anywhere in the report pointing out
> this problem.
>
> That kind of negligence is inexcusable.  It leads to a false sense
> of security based on radiological safety alone, when chemical
> toxicity poses the real danger.  At least the NRC's DACs make an
> attempt to limit kidney-damaging levels of a few isotopes,
> although the NRC has completely ignored substantial reproductive,
> developmental, immuniological, and neuro-toxicities, too.
>
> What will the next generation of health professionals think about
> this sad state of affairs?
>
> Who will be the leader in correcting this problem?
>
> Sincerely,
> James Salsman
>
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