Re: Power Plant Pollution Linked to 30,000 Premature Deaths

[PBarring@kdhe.state.ks.us]

The numbers ARE conservative.  But as Ruth pointed  out government and
media scrutiny insist on such conservatism, anyone in the emergency
planning field knows this.  These numbers are just as conservative as the
one used against the cigarette companies and the auto industry.  If all the
mortality rates quoted as gospel were absolute we would be tripping over
bodies where ever we go.  Does anyone REALLY think 20,000 people die daily
as a result of smoking?  If that were really the case we would have all the
tobacco companies up on murder charges, not looking for monetary
reimbursement.  These are statistics people, and as such they have
statistical error.  The point to be seen here is that FINALLY someone is
pointing the finger at fossil fuel.  That at least is something to cheer
about.

Phil

"My opinions, not the State's"

Actually, it's not so simple.  Any scientists involved are generally not
conservative (let alone ultra-conservative) of their own volition.  DOE and
EPA insist on it because they think the media will blast them if they are
not.  Certainly the anti-nukes will blast them.




>> the numbers that are quoted are risk estimates based on very
conservative
>models and assumptions.  if all of these numbers were true, we'd be
tripping
>over bodies on our way to the grocery store!  Its unfortunate when  the
>media and others get ahold of these numbers and interpret them as actual
>fact, without discussing the assumptions, the models and the methods used.
>
>Folks:
>
>I don't see how we can blame the media for this (and hundreds of similar
>events).  The facts are: Scientist(s) studied this situation and reached
>this conclusion.  Media report it.  Scientist(s) complain about the media.
>
>If the assumptions lead to ridiculous conclusions, then we'd better change
>them before we report the results.  Better yet, have the character to
resist
>carrying out such studies, even if it means turning down some money.
>
>TR
>
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