Re: If you do Science, use the Scientific Method!

[William V Lipton <liptonw@DTEENERGY.COM>]

It seems to me that the consensus (ICRP, NCRP, etc.) is that LNT is a

prudent precaution for planning, i.e. regulatory purposes.  One Radsafer

pointed out that there is a NCRP "Note" cautioning against the misuse of

ALARA, but this does not upset LNT as a regulatory concept.



The Note also illustrates another issue, since it also presents a 1 mrem

dose as "below regulatory concern," (or similar wording).  The NRC proposed

this in the early 1990's.  I'm sure we all remember how it crashed and

burned.  Thus, it's important to keep in mind that standards are,

ultimately, political.  Science can provide the best available information

on risks, but the decision on what level of risk to accept in a given

situation is political.



That's democracy:   inconsistent, inefficient, and worse than anything else,

with the exception of any other form of government.



The opinions expressed are strictly mine.

It's not about dose, it's about trust.

Curies forever.



Bill Lipton

liptonw@dteenergy.com



Sandy Perle wrote:



> On 24 Sep 2003 at 7:26, William V Lipton wrote:

>

> > What you seem to be saying is that if one physician says that a pill

> > will benefit me, while the consensus of physicians says that this pill

> > will kill me, I should take the pill.  Not me, thank-you.

>

> Barbara wrote:

>

> > And, I think if the consensus is that we do not know the

> > effects in the low dose or low-dose rate region, and those effects

> > could include benefits, then it is not accurate to say that assuming

> > harm is prudent. Barbara

>

> I think Bill's response to Barbara's comment is a case of apples and

> oranges. In Barbara's comment, the theme is that there is no

> consensus, based on any real measurements, experimentation.

>

> In Bill's case, there most likely is observation, data and

> documentation.

>

> I don't think you can simplify the issue to this lowest common

> denominator. They are a different beast.

>

> There will be no further response from me regarding this today, since

> I am flying back to CA from FL this afternoon. Perhaps tomorrow!

>