|
>I mean,
I think that there is a legitimate question as to how much stress and anxiety is
induced in the public due solely to irresponsible reporting, and not just on
matters of radioactivity, but also the West Nile Virus, and the proportions of
the Anthrax threat.
Arguably it may not have been irresponsible, but
media induced panic was the cause of the ONLY deaths related the the TMI
incident - several people died in traffic mishaps trying to flee the area. These
were real people, not theoretical people. In general, I think this could some
day be the basis for a huge class action lawsuit. We have done in the tobacco
industry, the fast food industry is currently undergoing "processing", and some
day I'm sure that we could conceivably attribute millions of cases of heart
disease, high blood pressure, mental illness and cancer to "hysteria reporting"
about radiation and other issues (the word "conceivably" being used in exactly
the same sense that exposures of uSv of radiation are "conceivably" linked
to cancer induction). I want my sack of money now, please.
Mike
Michael G. Stabin, PhD, CHP
Assistant Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences Vanderbilt University 1161 21st Avenue South Nashville, TN 37232-2675 Phone (615) 343-0068 Fax (615) 322-3764 e-mail michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu internet www.doseinfo-radar.com |