[ RadSafe ] SI Units

[osuleiman at comcast.net]

Et al-

I find it really disturbing when it comes to how US scientists, primarily, myself included, insist on using older  units.  It's not like the Roentgen has been around for 2000 years, 1928 if you're interested. SI was introduced in the 70's.

I do have discomfort using SI units, I will not lie.  However, if we are to be progressive, and standardizing to minimize confusion is a noble cause, why do we have an "our way or the highway" attitude?  Fortunately the professional journals, and other organizations including the government are moving forward, although at an extremely slow rate. I remember when I was first introduced to SI in the 70's, that was several decades ago.  As a scientific professional  I am frankly embarassed. Dissent is a right, and I exercise it here.

And I do think that universal adoption of SI units will eventually happen, it really is inevitable- but I continue to be amazed that it is discussed and debated to the extent that it is.  How can one expect to be respected as open minded and collegial and yet behave in a way that can only be perceived as bordering on the stubborn?

We have more important things to discuss.



-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Sandy Perle" <sandyfl at cox.net> 

> Hi John, 
> 
> I do not believe that the US will adopt the SI units any time soon. 
> Ideally it would make sense to transition to the SI units, 
> understanding that we are among very few in numbers that continue to 
> use the non-SI unit, and, globalization within the market and 
> scientific community is getting smaller all the time. 
> 
> There are many issues to contend with a transition. It is more than 
> the work-place understanding the units. I do believe, and we have 
> seen, serious incidents occur whereby workers did not understand the 
> data, and, mis-judegements occurred, in some cases with significant 
> consequences. Assuming that these issues are eliminated, there are 
> the significant administrative and economic costs to contend with. 
> Just looking a the NPPs, training programs, revision of all SOPs, 
> postings, manuals and other documents would require revision at 
> substantial cost. There would be the issues with existing 
> instrumentation and read-out devices. 
> 
> I am not implying that all of these issues can't be mitigated to some 
> degree. I recognize that others have had to go through this 
> transition as well, and successfully implemented the new programs. 
> One just needs to be aware of all that must be done and determine the 
> impact as well as the time-frame to accomplish. Again, I just don't 
> see that this transition will occur due to the economic burden, and, 
> more importantly, there is nobody really pushing for this transition. 
> 
> Regards, 
> 
> Sandy 
> 
> On 15 Jan 2007 at 15:47, John R Johnson wrote: 
> 
> > Bob 
> > 
> > Does that the fact that you "feel that SI units are more of a safety hazard 
> than a value" mean that you will always think this. I don't agree! I think that 
> having two "systems" is the problem. 
> > 
> > FYI, I worked in the US (at PNL, now PNNL) for ~11 years, and was almost 
> completely "SI" before I moved in 1998. I heard (many times!) that the US would 
> be SI "soon" and many US scientist/technical people are. 
> > 
> > To all Radsafers; when do you think soon should/will occur? 
> > 
> > John 
> > _________________ 
> > John R Johnson, Ph.D. 
> > ***** 
> > President, IDIAS, Inc 
> > 4535 West 9-Th Ave 
> > Vancouver B. C. 
> > V6R 2E2 
> > (604) 222-9840 
> > idias at interchange.ubc.ca 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
> Sandy Perle 
> Senior Vice President, Technical Operations 
> Global Dosimetry Solutions, Inc. 
> 2652 McGaw Avenue 
> Irvine, CA 92614 
> 
> Tel: (949) 296-2306 / (888) 437-1714 Extension 2306 
> Fax:(949) 296-1144 
> 
> Global Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com/ 
> Personal Website: http://sandy-travels.com/ 
> 
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