Re: Epidemiology

["Jerry Cohen" <jjcohen@PRODIGY.NET>]

    Although I took a few courses in the subject many  years ago while in

grad school, I would also not consider myself an epidemiologist. However, I

don't believe that the practice of epidemiology  requires abandonment of

common sense.

    Of course, it is best to base studies on the best data one can obtain.

Sometimes such data are simply unavailable and reasonable assumptions must

be substituted.

In this regard, precise dosimetric data on radiation exposure levels for

radiologists vs.

non radiologist physicians are  unavailable. However, isn't it reasonable to

assume that

radiologists generally experience significantly greater radiation exposures

than do other specialists--- or that they do not smoke  significantly more

or less? Similarly, lacking precise data, isn't it reasonable to assume that

smoking habits in high vs. low radon areas are about the same?





----- Original Message -----

From: Jacobus, John (OD/ORS) <jacobusj@ors.od.nih.gov>

To: <jrcamero@facstaff.wisc.edu>; <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

Cc: <bscott@rwmc.org>

Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 7:24 PM

Subject: RE: Letters to the editor are reviewed and refereed







> I am not familiar with epidemiological studies, but I again question if

the

> 36% difference in non-cancer deaths is radiation-related.  Were factors

like

> smoking taken into account?  Again, the study is about an occupational

title

> "radiolographer," but there is not dosimetry information.  I consider that

> to be a significant item to correlate with cancer and non-cancer deaths.

I

> also believe that difference is only in one data range.  How come this

> profound difference does not appear in other year groupings?







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