Re: ALARA

["Jerry Cohen" <jjcohen@prodigy.net>]

>Can some of you actually be arguing against ALARA? <     -------- YOU
BET!!!

    ALARA is a dumb idea; is has always been a dumb idea, and doubtless will
continue to be a dumb as long as this abomination persists. Because
high-dose radiation exposure is clearly harmful, why ASSUME that this  is
also the case at low doses? No scientific evidence supports this assumption.
There is abundant evidence  indicating that low dose effects are likely to
be beneficial (i.e. Hormesis). Such phenomena are not unusual in nature. For
example consider elements such as Se, As, Fe, Cu, etc which are poisons at
high doses, yet are vital  nutrients as low doses. Even water at high enough
dose can be lethal, but it is not a good idea to minimize its consumption.
Consider physical factors such as temperature, UV radiation, etc. which are
clearly harmful at high levels, yet beneficial at proper levels.  Why assume
this is not also the case with ionizing radiation?
    In any case, if one accepts (as I do) that  low dose radiation exposures
(<10 rem/y)  are , at worst, harmless and are likely beneficial in nature,
then squandering limited resources on further reducing already low doses can
only be considered uncosciousable.


-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey J Hoffman <hoffmanj@dteenergy.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Date: Monday, April 03, 2000 1:43 PM
Subject: ALARA


>Can some of you actually be arguing against ALARA?  Don't you think it
>good to minimize your dose?  If your natural yearly dose is 1R and you
>save 25mr from a man made source, have you not saved the body from being
>exposed to 25mr?  ALARA is good for all things that could potentially be
>harmful.  If I shoot at you 5 times a year with a gun and miss, do you
>care if I try 2 more times?  I think you would mind.  25mr may or may
>not be harmful but why take the chance?  Why drive on the highway during
>rush hour if you don't have too?
>
>Thoughts are my own so flame away!
>
>Jeff Hoffman
>HoffmanJ@DTEEnergy.com
>
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