Re: In Flight Radiation

[BLReider@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/6/01 10:46:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
cabrerany@aol.com writes:


> I don't know how to address the consumers or if it necessary.  Frequent 
> fliers get more exposure than the occassional flyer.  But so do the folks 
> living in Denver.  Is Denver more than 100 mREM greater than the 360 mREM 
> average and are they informed of the increased risk?  Are the consurmers 
> informed about the risk of crashing prior to purchasing an airline ticket?  


I think that informing consumers of doses due to natural radiation (albiet 
artificially increased due to flight) is a rather good idea. 

People tend to associate radiation dose only with that created by industry or 
defense.  Perhaps if more people realized that we live with radiation every 
day (live being the operative word) they would be less likely to fear low 
levels of radiation, and could accept the risk extimates given by responsible 
scientists.

If the doses are given along with the risks, as well as comparative risks of 
other  activities, people will be more likely to accept them.  We tend to 
fear that which is foreign to us more than that which is known to us.