radiation is radiation? lochbaum

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

And guys and gals, I have to confess as well that, despite all of your best
intentions and explanations, I still don't get it either.

norm

DaveL wrote:

>
>  I really don't understand the "radiation is radiation" argument. I think it is
> based in the original intent of the radiation measuring unit (rem, standing for
> roentgen equivalent man). Rem was supposed to allow apples to apples
> comparisions of exposures to alpha, beta, gamma, and neutrons. If Person X was
> exposed to one hour of alpha radiation and Person Y was exposed to one hour of
> gamma radiation and the radiation intensities were exactly the same, these
> people would have different rem exposures because alpha and gamma affect the
> human body differently. So, from that standpoint, one rem of alpha radiation is
> the same as one rem of gamma radiation. But to reduce the issue of radiation
> health down to three words, "radiation is radiation," is summed up by these
> three words, "crazy is crazy."

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