RE: Radon vs. LNT - the Chase

["Bradshaw, Keith" <Keith.Bradshaw@nnc.co.uk>]

> I would urge all the members of this listserv to talk about the hazards of
> 
> smoking.  The unique perspective we can give regarding the radiation
> exposure 
> from smoking is pretty persuasive.  
> 
	It's off topic, but just to illustrate the difficulties of proving
anything one way or the other with epidemiology, I'd like to mention the
study by Hans Eysenk, the controversial psychologist.

	He produced a study that showed it isn't smoking in itself which is
the major risk factor with lung cancer, it's the personality of smokers.
It's the personality which is the primary risk factor, which has a
cross-correlation with being addicted to smoking, and being an 'addictive
personality' generally.

	There's also been some studies on anti-oxidant vitamin levels in
lung tissue and lung cancer rates.  Smoking depletes vitamins C and E in
lung tissue, and it was postulated that this was the primary risk factor
rather than the chemicals in smoke itself (if I remember correctly,
supplementation of smokers with these vitamins *did* cut lung cancer rates,
but supplementation with beta-carotene actually increased the rate, so much
so that the researchers stopped this part of the study because there was
clear evidence of harm being done to the subjects).

	I'm not saying I believe either of these studies, particularly the
former.  I'm mentioning these to show that you probably never get a truly
unbiased epidemiological study or clinical trial.  Look at the opposite
conclusions reached by Gofman et al, and the official statisticians with the
A-bomb survivors data.  Same data, completely different conclusions.  At the
end of the day, you believe what you want (or need) to believe.

	Personal thoughts only,

	keith.bradshaw@nnc.co.uk




	END






	END


**********************************************************************
NNC Limited
Booths Hall
Chelford Road
Knutsford
Cheshire
WA16 8QZ

Country of Registration: United Kingdom
Registered Number: 1120437

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and 
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they   
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify 
the NNC system manager.
**********************************************************************
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html