[ RadSafe ] Improper Application of ALARA following stabilization of Fukushima Nuclear Reactors

[Victor Anderson]

Clayton,

 

Sorry, but I must disagree.  The statements below are a stereotype.
Government officials are people.  Some good; some bad.  And yes, some will
make a decision that involves sticking their neck out.  Not only that, some
do have a personal sense of responsibility and sadly some do not.  Been
there done that, got the tee shirt.

 

Victor Anderson

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Clayton J Bradt [mailto:CJB01 at health.state.ny.us] 
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2013 8:34 AM
To: radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu
Cc: victor.anderson at frontier.com; mohan.doss at fccc.edu
Subject: Re: Improper Application of ALARA following stabilization of
Fukushima Nuclear Reactors

 

Mohan wrote:

"...the emotional effects should have been factored into the 
ALARA considerations and calculations, balanced by the expected 
reduction in cancers from the long-term evacuation based on the LNT 
model."

This would require someone to make a judgement call and risk criticism. That
is simply not possible. No government official, who has reached a position
of authority to make such a decision, would be willing to take the
responsibility upon himself. The selection process through which these
individuals must pass in order to climb the career ladder eliminates anyone
possessing a sense of personal responsibility for the public welfare. The
absolute imperative of avoiding any risk to one's career is so firmly
inculcated in these people that the thought of sticking their necks out like
that would not even occur to them.


Clayton Bradt
Principal Radiophysicist
NYS Dept. of Health

518-474-1993