Re: Critics Allege Infant Mortality Rate

[Norman & Karen Cohen <norco@bellatlantic.net>]

Hi Lawrence,

It was Salem (NJ), not Calvert Cliffs nukes I was referring to. Prevailing winds

tend to be west to east. Its my understanding that Mangano's study in this case
was just
taking Salem County as a whole, tabulating the numbers of cancers, low birth
weight children,
etc, and comparing the data to national averages and plotting that against
whether or not
the nukes were on-line that year.

There might well be a way to have factored prevailing winds into the study. But
that was not done.


I don't claim more from this study than it may show that something's going on in
Salem County.
The next step would be to collect baby teeth and measure them for sr-90.

thanks
norm

"Grimm, Lawrence" wrote:

> Hi all:
>
> Does anyone have the data for the prevailing wind patterns in the Calvert
> Cliff area? To keep it simple let's ask for the percentage of time the wind
> blows to the 8 compass points (N, NE,E, etc).  I think it might be
> instructive to the Cohen's that the term downwind can mean any direction on
> any given day.
>
> To the Cohen's:
> Whenever I see someone claiming problems in a specific area and calling it
> downwind, I immediately get suspicious and search the study to see how
> downwind is defined and if the study has accounted for wind variability.  If
> wind variability is defined and accounted for, then I read further.  If not,
> into the dumper it goes!
>
> Remember that there are numerous standard variables that must be accounted
> for in any epidemiology study.  Wind variation is one variable and other
> Radsafer's have pointed out other variables. Absolutely remember that no
> matter if the study is pro or con from your position, be critical of its
> design first.  Poorly designed studies are very easy to spot and are junk
> science at best.  Too often, they are "political" science.
>
> Larry Grimm
> UCLA EH&S/ Radiation Safety Division
> *       On Campus: 501 Westwood Plaza, 4th Floor, MS 951605
> *       Off Campus: UCLA Radiation Safety Div, 501 Westwood Plaza 4th Fl,
> Box 951605, Los Angeles,        CA 90095-1605
> *       lgrimm@admin.ucla.edu   Phone:310/206-0712   Fax: 310/206-9051
> *       If this email is not RSD business, the opinions are mine, notUCLA's.
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