[ RadSafe ] Interesting article

[Wade Allison]

For clarification, neither the data nor the article as a whole suggests any relaxation in reactor control design and safety. Those were the problems at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. The concern is the unwarranted exceptional treatment of human radiation safety. If not relaxed, this seriously unbalances our prospects in other areas, such as the use of fossil fuels. 
This does not disagree with Mike, perhaps, but some have misread the article [for which I was set a rather tight word limit.]
 
Professor Wade Allison, MA DPhil  w.allison1 at physics.ox.ac.uk 
Emeritus Fellow, Keble College, Oxford, UK OX1 3PG 
"Radiation and Reason" http://www.radiationandreason.com <http://www.radiationandreason.com/>  (Oct09) 0-9562756-1-3
"Fundamental Physics for Probing and Imaging" http://www.oup.co.uk/isbn/0-19-920389-X <https://winfe.physics.ox.ac.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.oup.co.uk/isbn/0-19-920389-X>  (Oct06)

________________________________

From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu on behalf of Brennan, Mike (DOH)
Sent: Tue 03/08/2010 19:31
To: neildm at id.doe.gov; radsafe at agni.phys.iit.edu
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Interesting article



While I don't particularly disagree with the author's message, I do wish
he (and everyone else) wouldn't use statements like, "Given the
availability of carbon-free nuclear power, this makes a sea change in
our view of radiation rather urgent."  Selling nuclear power on its
"carbon-free" attribute is a mistake, as it unnecessarily embroils
nuclear power in an argument that should be about the down-side of
burning stuff that throws crap into the air.  Secondly, relaxing the
standards for radiation exposure to the public should not be sold as
necessary for the expansion of nuclear power, as proper design,
construction, and operation of a nuclear power plant does not expose the
public to anything close to current limits (and if someone feels they
need to be sloppier in their design, construction, and/or operation, I
don't think I want them involved.

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of
neildm at id.doe.gov
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 10:31 AM
To: radsafe at agni.phys.iit.edu
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Interesting article

I just found an article on the website of New Scientist magazine
supporting the position of relaxation of radiation limits based on more
rational perception of the risks.

"Our attitude to ionising radiation is irrational, and easing safety
limits would do far more good than harm, says Wade Allison"
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727715.800-whos-afraid-of-radiat
ion.html

Here is a pirated blurb about the author: "Wade Allison is a nuclear and
medical physicist at the University of Oxford and the author of
Radiation and Reason (YPD Books). He has no ties to the nuclear
industry."


Dave Neil
DOE-ID Lessons Learned Coordinator

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.  - George
Santayana

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