[ RadSafe ] Fwd: Cancer and birth defects in Iraq: the nuclear legacy

[Chris Alston]

Clayton

Yes, given the their claims of findings, that was the first thing I
wanted to know, too: what were their methods of bioassay, and the
results of same.  They don't even offer air sampling data, or the
results of wipe tests taken in, e.g., peoples' houses.  Perhaps there
is another agenda in force than the scientific, e.g., a humanitarian
effort.  Clearly, the *scientific* community cannot infer effects of
internal radiation exposure, from studies which offer no estimation of
intakes (via inhalation, ingestion, the contamination of wounds) of
radioactive material.  Basically, all the study does is to attempt to
correlate the results of soil sampling for DU with the incidence of
cancer and birth defects.  Findings like those may be useful starting
points for further research, but I think that we know to beware of
inferences of causation, from evidence of correlation.

Cheers
cja


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Clayton J Bradt <CJB01 at health.state.ny.us>
Date: Thu, May 23, 2013 at 1:50 PM
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Cancer and birth defects in Iraq: the nuclear legacy
To: sjd at swcp.com, radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu

Steve, you got farther than me. When I got to the statement you quoted
about other effects besides cancer I skimmed the rest.  I was looking (in
vain it turned out) for some mention of bio-assay results indicating the
uranium levels in the victims' bodies.

This article is an un-serious piece of work.

Clayton Bradt
Principal Radiophysicist
NYS Dept. of Health