[ RadSafe ] CT scans dangerous?

[John Jacobus]

Harold,
My comments were directed at ALARA in medical
programs, i.e., patients vs. workers.  

I will admit to knowing little about ALARA practices
at nuclear power plans beyong they have ALARA
programs, which I assume is based on worker exposures.
 


--- Harold <hacrad at comcast.net> wrote:

> Prior Message:
> 
>  
> 
> If you imply that the benefit from proper medical
> care from a CT scan is
> reasonable compared to the risk of a future cancer,
> that is true.
> 
>  
> 
> However, the only benefit from ALARA is lower risk
> of a future cancer.  
> 
>  
> 
> --------
> 
> The stated purpose of ALARA is to reduce exposure
> but the benefit is most
> often a reduction in costs and an improvement in
> procedures.  It is really
> very typical at reactor sites that for ALARA
> compliance work procedures are
> planned and rehearsed prior to implementation
> resulting in fewer errors,
> shorter work times, and less cost.
> 
>  
> 
> If I install an overhead crane track and quick
> release connects on my "hot"
> pumps, then one or two men can disconnect the pump,
> wheel it out of the pump
> room onto a dolly and take it to the hot machine
> shop for refurbishment
> rather than doing the work in place, all in the name
> of ALARA.  The result
> is shorter outages, reduced exposure, and
> significant cost savings.
> 
>  
> 
> There are many such examples of such limited
> modifications which really
> improve maintenance and operating procedures all in
> the name of ALARA but
> whose benefit is more than just that.
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Ya-Hey_Tey (Navajo for hello) Franz,
> 
> Glad to hear your CT scan was clear.  
> 
>  
> 
> over the last three years received a friend of mine
> has received a
> high-resolution CT scan of her lungs every six
> months.  Such exposure is
> warranted since she has diffuse Systemic Scleroderma
> and in the course of
> the first five years of this disease, the
> development of scarring in the
> lungs is extremely dangerous, so the doctors watch
> closely.  In this case,
> frequent CTs are reasonable.
> 
>  
> 
> Hal Careway
> 
> San Jose, CA
> 
> 

+++++++++++++++++++
"If you guard your toothbrushes and diamonds with equal zeal, you'll probably lose fewer toothbrushes and more diamonds."
- Former national security advised McGeorge Bundy
-- John
John Jacobus, MS
Certified Health Physicist
e-mail:  crispy_bird at yahoo.com


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