Re: [Fwd: [DOEWatch] Deadly toll of Chernobyl]

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

On Sat, 22 Apr 2000, Norman & Karen Cohen wrote:

> 
> Can I have some comments from you all as to whether you think the 15,000
> killed number
> is reasonable or not, and how some of you can defend the much lower
> numbers I've seen in your postings.

> Peace
> Norm Cohen
> Coordinator, UNPLUG Salem Campaign

	--The 15,000 deaths depend on assuming the linear-no threshold
theory of radiation induced cancer -- that is, if 1000 units of radiation
dose  give a cancer risk X, 1 unit of radiation dose gives a cancer risk
X/1000. There is now very abundant evidence that this theory is wrong, and
that the risk from 1 unit of dose in the above example is much less than
1/1000, and perhaps zero, or maybe even negative (i.e. 1 unit of dose may
help prevent cancer). I have a review article on this evidence which I can
send you on request.

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu

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